Pathways to AFC Champions League™ and AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Group Stages confirmed

Thu, 03 Aug, 2023

Pathways to AFC Champions League™ and AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Group Stages confirmed

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has today confirmed the battle lines of the Preliminary and Playoff Stages of the AFC Cup™ and AFC Champions League™ 2023/24.

The race to secure a place in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group Stage will begin in Hong Kong, China where Hong Kong Rangers will host Vietnam’s Haiphong FC on August 15, 2023, in the Preliminary Stage with the winners sealing a date with Korea Republic’s Incheon United FC in the Playoff Stage on August 22.

Azmoun strike powers IR Iran to trophy

Wed, 21 Jun, 2023

Azmoun strike powers IR Iran to trophy

Tashkent: Sardar Azmoun’s second half strike secured Islamic Republic of Iran a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan in the 2023 CAFA Nations Cup final at the Milliy Stadium on Tuesday.

Azmoun struck three minutes into the second half as Iran emerged the inaugural champions of the tournament. 

Title joy for Iraq

Wed, 21 Jun, 2023

Title joy for Iraq

Baghdad: Iraq won the 2023 WAFF U23 Championship after a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Islamic Republic of Iran in the final on Tuesday.

The title was Iraq's first as they clinched it before some 30,000 home fans at the Al Madina International Stadium.
 

Kanté joins Al Ittihad

Wed, 21 Jun, 2023

Kanté joins Al Ittihad

Riyadh: FIFA World Cup winning midfielder N’Golo Kanté has signed a two-year deal to join two-time AFC Champions League™ winners Al Ittihad, the Saudi Pro League club announced on Tuesday.

“Kanté has signed a three-year contract with the club,” said Al Ittihad in a statement.
 
“The contract was finalised on Tuesday , June 20th, after Kanté completed his tests at a specialized medical center in Dubai.”

Preview – Group C: Tajikistan v Australia

Thu, 22 Jun, 2023

Preview – Group C: Tajikistan v Australia

Bangkok: Tajikistan and Australia will go head-to-head for a place in the quarter-finals of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 when they meet in their last Group C match at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Thursday.

With Saudi Arabia already qualifying for the knock-out stage, the remaining slot is a toss-up between Tajikistan, Australia and China PR, all of whom have a realistic chance of qualifying.
 
Australia go into the match having first lost 2-0 to Saudi Arabia, but rebounded on Matchday Two to defeat China PR 5-3 while Tajikistan opened with a 1-1 draw against China PR before losing to Saudi Arabia 2-0. 

Preview – Group C: Saudi Arabia v China PR

Thu, 22 Jun, 2023

Preview – Group C: Saudi Arabia v China PR

Chonburi: Saudi Arabia head coach Abdulwahab Nasser Alharbi says their final AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 Group C match against China PR on Thursday will be one that has completely different circumstances from their previous encounters.

Two-time champions of the AFC U16 Championship, Saudi Arabia have already qualified for the quarter-final thanks to consecutive 2-0 wins over Australia and Tajikistan. The West Asians, however, won’t be taking their opponents lightly.

Rakhmatullaev glad Uzbekistan still in the race

Wed, 21 Jun, 2023

Rakhmatullaev glad Uzbekistan still in the race

Pathum Thani: Head coach Jamoliddin Rakhmatullaev was happy to see Uzbekistan collect their first win at the AFC U17 Asian Cup Thailand 2023 after the young White Wolves edged India 1-0 in their second Group D clash on Tuesday.

With four points to their name, Uzbekistan have perched themselves second behind Japan in the standings on goal difference.  

Sharp Japan make Moriyama happy

Wed, 21 Jun, 2023

Sharp Japan make Moriyama happy

Bangkok: Despite registering 19 shots - six of which were on target - against Uzbekistan in their opening match of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 on Saturday, Japan ended up sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw after conceding late on.

It was a different matter on Tuesday at the Rajamangala Stadium as Yoshiro Moriyama oversaw a far more clinical performance, which led to a 4-0 victory over Vietnam in their Group D encounter.

As with the previous match, Yutaka Michikawi gave them a half-time lead but the Japanese were able to add three more goals in the second half this time, as they chalked up a total of 16 shots, with eight on target.