Chhetri calls time on international career

Thu, 16 May, 2024

Chhetri calls time on international career

Kuala Lumpur: Sunil Chhetri announced his retirement from international football on Thursday, saying that the tie against Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ qualifiers at the VYBK in Kolkata on June 6 will be his last match for India.

Chhetri’s international career spanned over 19 years in which he represented his country a record 150 times scoring 94 international goals.

New AFC club competition brands inspired by richness of Asian football

Thu, 16 May, 2024

New AFC club competition brands inspired by richness of Asian football

Bangkok: A significant milestone was marked on Thursday by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) with the unveiling of the new look for its revamped club competitions, which will commence from the 2024/25 season.

Taking place at a prestigious ceremony following the conclusion of the 34th AFC Congress 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand, a suite of dynamic brands was presented for each of the four new competitions: the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite), AFC Women’s Champions League™ (AWCL), AFC Champions League Two™ (ACL Two) and AFC Challenge LeagueTM (ACGL).

Australia and Uzbekistan confirmed as 2026 and 2029 AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ hosts

Wed, 15 May, 2024

Australia and Uzbekistan confirmed as 2026 and 2029 AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ hosts

Bangkok: Australia and Uzbekistan have been confirmed as the hosts of the 2026 and 2029 editions of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ respectively after the AFC Executive Committee today ratified the AFC Women’s Football Committee’s recommendations at its third meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand, on the eve of the 34th AFC Congress.

In congratulating both MAs, AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “On behalf of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), I would like to thank the other three initial bidders for the 2026 edition – Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan – for submitting their interests and I offer our sincere congratulations to Football Australia and the Uzbekistan Football Association on being confirmed as hosts of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ in 2026 and 2029 respectively.

#ACL through the years - Asian Legends

Thu, 16 May, 2024

#ACL through the years - Asian Legends

Kuala Lumpur: The second leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final between Al Ain FC and Yokohama F. Marinos will bring the curtain down on the continental competition in its current guise as the AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League 2 get set to kick off next season.

Over the tournament’s 21-year history, fans of Asian football have witnessed memorable matches, special teams and top-quality players from all over the world.

As the-AFC.com continues to look back at the AFC Champions League through the years, today we highlight some of the best Asian players to appear in the competition.

#ACL - Classic matches

Wed, 15 May, 2024

#ACL - Classic matches

Riyadh: The upcoming second leg of the AFC Champions League 2023-24™ final brings to conclusion a chapter of Asia’s top club competition, before it makes way to AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League 2.

The past two decades of the competition have brought some thrilling encounters that will live long in the memory of Asian football fans. The-AFC.com recounts some of those classic AFC Champions League clashes.

Bigger responsibilities not a problem for Korea Republic's Phair

Thu, 16 May, 2024

Bigger responsibilities not a problem for Korea Republic's Phair

Bali: As the only player in the Korea Republic U17 Women’s team to have senior international caps, a lot is expected from Casey Phair at the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 with the 16-year-old carrying the responsibility with care and motivation.

As her team heads into a semi-final clash with Japan, the Angel City FC player talks to the-AFC.com on the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, Bali, handling expectations and more.

Kikuchi blossoming nicely for Japan

Thu, 16 May, 2024

Kikuchi blossoming nicely for Japan

Bali: Hana Kikuchi not only scored her first goal for Japan in her side’s 4-0 win against China PR at the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024, but she also added a second to ensure the defending champions finished the group stage unbeaten.

“These are my first goals for Japan after playing for the national team for a year,” she said. “I failed to find the net in the previous matches because I was very nervous as this is my first Asian Cup, but I did score against China PR and I’m very happy.”

DPR Korea’s Choe back at her goal-scoring best

Thu, 16 May, 2024

DPR Korea’s Choe back at her goal-scoring best

Bali: Choe Il Son was a creator in DPR Korea’s first two AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 Group A matches, setting up opportunities as her side made their way into the semi-finals with a match to spare. 

The forward, however, burst into life against Indonesia on Matchday Three - scoring five goals in 47 minutes and showing the form that helped DPR Korea win the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 in March. 

Al Nassr’s Ronaldo an inspiration for Zhong

Wed, 15 May, 2024

Al Nassr’s Ronaldo an inspiration for Zhong

Bali: One of the leading lights of world football for more than two decades, Cristiano Ronaldo has inspired many to fall in love with the game and it is no different for China PR’s Zhong Yuxin.

The talented 16-year-old pinpoints the iconic Portugal star as the very reason why she got into the sport, as the-AFC.com gets up close and personal with Zhong at the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024.