S-final, 1st leg: Philippines stun Thailand

Fri, 27 Dec, 2024

S-final, 1st leg: Philippines stun Thailand

Manila: Enrique Linares struck deep into added time to earn Philippines a dramatic 2-1 win against defending champions Thailand in their 2024 ASEAN Championship semi-final first leg on Friday.

The centre-back’s strike in the fifth minute of added time means Philippines will go into Monday’s second leg at Rajamangala Stadium with a lead to protect as they chase a first final appearance in the competition.

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S-final, 1st Leg: Late strikes give Vietnam healthy advantage over Singapore

Thu, 26 Dec, 2024

S-final, 1st Leg: Late strikes give Vietnam healthy advantage over Singapore

Singapore: Vietnam struck twice deep into added time to defeat Singapore 2-0 in their 2024 ASEAN Championship semi-final first leg at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday.

Two-time winners Vietnam will be confident of completing the job when the sides meet in the return leg in Viet Tri on Sunday.

Defending champions Thailand face Philippines in the second semi-final in Manila on Friday.

Group B: Bahrain advance; Saudi Arabia keep hopes alive

Thu, 26 Dec, 2024

Group B: Bahrain advance; Saudi Arabia keep hopes alive

Kuwait City: Bahrain confirmed their spot in the semi-finals of the 2024 Gulf Cup with a 2-0 win over defending champions Iraq in their Group B tie on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, kept their hopes alive after coming from two goals down to defeat Yemen 3-2 and will meet Iraq on Saturday to decide who advances to the knockout stage alongside Bahrain.

Year in Review: AFC Challenge League™ 2024/25 - Group Stage

Thu, 19 Dec, 2024

Year in Review: AFC Challenge League™ 2024/25 - Group Stage

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Challenge League™ 2024/25 is set for an exciting climax following a group stage which left fans thrilled.

The knockout stage will kick off in March with the quarter-finals, with the final scheduled for May, 2025.

Year in Review: AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26

Thu, 26 Dec, 2024

Year in Review: AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26

Kuala Lumpur: There is still all to play for in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 despite six matchdays having already been completed.

While Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan and Korea Republic look well placed to book tickets to the FIFA World Cup 26, several others have much to do when the AFC Asian Qualifiers resume in March 2025.

The top two teams from each of the three groups will earn automatic spots to the FIFA World Cup 26.

A further two slots are available via playoffs involving the third and fourth-placed teams from the three groups while an additional spot is possible through the inter-confederation playoffs.

Year in Review: AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers

Wed, 25 Dec, 2024

Year in Review: AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers

Kuala Lumpur: Only six places remain available for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with the final round of Qualifiers to kick off in March, 2025.

A total 24 teams will be in the hunt to join the 18 sides who have already sealed qualification by virtue of advancing to the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 2026.

The draw for the final round of the Qualifiers saw the 24 teams divided into six groups with only the group winners to advance to Saudi Arabia 2027.

Sarila Maleku: Championing women’s football in Nepal

Thu, 26 Dec, 2024

Sarila Maleku: Championing women’s football in Nepal

Kuala Lumpur: In the final edition of “It’s My Game” in 2024, the-AFC.com traces the inspiring tale of AFC Women’s Football Committee Member and All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Executive Committee Member Sarila Maleku, a key pillar in the growing stature of women’s football in the South Asian nation.

Growing up in a football-loving community, it did not take long for her to set her sights on representing her country on the international stage. By the age of 15, her talent caught the attention of the then-national team coach, earning her a debut for Nepal in 1999 at the Continental level, where she represented the Gorkhali Chelis at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™, then known as the AFC Women’s Championship.