AFC announces media rights partnership with APL in Australia

Mon, 28 Feb, 2022

AFC announces media rights partnership with APL in Australia

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has today announced that the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) has acquired the rights to the AFC’s club competitions for the rights cycle 2021-2024, via its partnership with 10 ViacomCBS.

The APL’s exclusive deal covers the AFC Champions League™, the AFC Cup™ and the AFC Futsal Club Championship™ Finals. The APL manages the operations and promotion of professional football in Australia including all major A-League men’s and women’s competitions, as well as the A-League Youth and the E-League (e-sports). This partnership will enable extensive coverage of the AFC’s club competitions, including all matches of Australian club teams on 10, 10 Bold and Paramount+.

New boss, same winning feeling as Pakhtakor lift Uzbekistan Super Cup

Sun, 27 Feb, 2022

New boss, same winning feeling as Pakhtakor lift Uzbekistan Super Cup

Yaypan: FC Pakhtakor made a winning start to life under new boss Slavče Vojneski, retaining the Uzbekistan Super Cup with a 1-0 win against FC Nasaf in their first competitive match under the North Macedonian coach on Sunday.

While new beginnings were the theme of the afternoon, the winning goal came in the most familiar manner possible, with Dragan Ćeran’s 61st-minute header enough for the league winners to avenge December’s Uzbekistan Cup Final defeat to the same opponents. 

The result gives Pakhtakor a winning start to their 2022 fixture list, with the Uzbekistan Super League holders to begin their title defence away to Dinamo Samarkand on Thursday.

Jeonbuk experience drives Buriram’s Sasalak to greater heights

Sun, 27 Feb, 2022

Jeonbuk experience drives Buriram’s Sasalak to greater heights

Buriram: Silverware and an ambition to play at a higher level are the motivation for Sasalak Haiprakhon in the coming months as he chases titles with Buriram United in Thailand and a place in the 2022 AFC Champions League group stage on the continent.  

While a six-month loan spell at K League 1 giants Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors may not have gone to plan for Sasalak, he remains full of optimism now back at Buriram, where the domestic treble is among the more immediate targets.

Vietnam edge Thailand for title

Sun, 27 Feb, 2022

Vietnam edge Thailand for title

Phnom Penh: Vietnam clinched the 2022 AFF U-23 Championship title after defeating Thailand 1-0 in the final at the Morodok Techo National Stadium on Saturday.

Tran Bao Toan scored Vietnam's winning goal as Thailand settled for a runners-up finish for the second time in a row.

AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round: One talking point from each group

Sat, 26 Feb, 2022

AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round: One talking point from each group

Kuala Lumpur: The remaining 24 teams now know exactly what is required to reach the AFC Asian Cup China 2023™,  and no there is no shortage of talking points following Thursday’s Qualifiers Final Round draw. 

Rivalries, old and new, will be rekindled, the cream of Asian football will rise when hopefuls representing the full length and breadth of Asia convene across six cities in June.

Looking ahead to the action in less than four months’ time, the-AFC.com has picked out one point of interest from each group, all of which are set to produce thrilling fixtures.

Leonardo joins Korea Republic's Ulsan Hyundai

Fri, 25 Feb, 2022

Leonardo joins Korea Republic's Ulsan Hyundai

Ulsan: Two-time AFC Champions League winners Ulsan Hyundai FC have announced the signing of former Urawa Red Diamonds striker Leonardo as a replacement for the departing Oh Se-hun.

The 24-year-old Brazilian has joined the 2012 and 2020 Asian champions on loan for the season from last year’s Chinese Super League winners Shandong Taishan.