Preview – Final, 1st Leg: Vietnam v Thailand

Thu, 12 Jan, 2023

Preview – Final, 1st Leg: Vietnam v Thailand

Hanoi: Two-time winners Vietnam will lock horns with defending champions Thailand in the first leg of the 2022 AFF Cup final at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on Friday with both sides’ eyes fixed on the most prestigious silverware on offer in Southeast Asia. 

After winning the coveted prize in 2008 and 2018, the Golden Star Warriors will be looking to move one step closer to a third title with a favourable result in the first leg, which will also be outgoing head coach Park Hang-seo’s final game in front of the passionate Vietnamese home supporters. 
 
Holders Thailand, on the other hand, are aiming for back-to-back titles under Alexandre Polking having won the 2020 edition by beating Indonesia 6-2 on aggregate in the final and are now two games away from a record-extending seventh AFF Cup triumph. 

Thailand impress Polking; Malaysia make Kim proud

Wed, 11 Jan, 2023

Thailand impress Polking; Malaysia make Kim proud

Pathum Thani: Head coach Alexandre Polking applauded his Thailand players for advancing to the 2022 AFF Cup final after an impressive 3-0 win over Malaysia in the semi-final, second leg on Tuesday.

Teerasil Dangda’s sixth goal of the competition cancelled out Malaysia’s first leg lead with  Bordin Phala and substitute Adisak Kraisorn then confirming Thailand a 10th appearance in the AFF Cup final.

Park hails Vietnam for reaching final, Indonesia’s Shin looks ahead

Tue, 10 Jan, 2023

Park hails Vietnam for reaching final, Indonesia’s Shin looks ahead

Hanoi: Head coach Park Hang-seo was proud of his players and coaching staff after his Vietnam side beat Indonesia 2-0 to reach the 2022 AFF Cup final on Monday. 

Nguyen Tien Linh scored twice as Vietnam advanced 2-0 on aggregate, their first win in the AFF Cup over their Southeast Asian rivals since 1996.

Cup of Nations to help Australia prepare for Women's World Cup

Thu, 12 Jan, 2023

Cup of Nations to help Australia prepare for Women's World Cup

Sydney: Australia will host the Cup of Nations on February 16-22 as part of their preparations for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.

The four-team tournament - also featuring fellow FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers Spain and Jamaica, as well as Czechia, will be played in Gosford, Sydney, and Newcastle.

Australia & New Zealand 2023 appoints 17 AFC match officials

Wed, 11 Jan, 2023

Australia & New Zealand 2023 appoints 17 AFC match officials

Kuala Lumpur: Heba Saadieh created history by becoming the first ever Palestinian woman to be appointed as match official at the FIFA Women’s World Cup when the cast for the upcoming edition of the women’s showpiece in Australia & New Zealand 2023 was announced on Monday.

The contest, which will take place from July 20 to August 20, also marks a return of Japan’s Yoshimi Yamashita (pictured below) on the global stage having officiated at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 last month. She will be joined by Australia’s Kate Jacewicz and Casey Reibelt, and Kim Yu-jeong and Oh Hyeon-jeong of Korea Republic. 

Lebanon beat Jordan to retain title

Wed, 11 Jan, 2023

Lebanon beat Jordan to retain title

Aqaba: Lebanon defeated Jordan 2-0 in the 2023 WAFF U16 Girls Championship final to clinch a second consecutive title at the Al Aqaba Stadium on Tuesday.

Cecile Iskandar, who finished as top scorer with four goals, and Lea Hajj Ali scored as Lebanon claimed victory over 2018 winners Jordan.

Bahrain close in, Kuwait stay in semi-final race

Wed, 11 Jan, 2023

Bahrain close in, Kuwait stay in semi-final race

Basra: Defending champions Bahrain moved within touching distance of the 2023 Gulf Cup semi-finals after a 2-1 win over Qatar in Group B on Tuesday.

Kuwait also stayed in the hunt for a last four spot after a 1-0 defeat of United Arab Emirates.