Mehdi Taremi named among Finalists for FIFA Puskas Award

Fri, 07 Jan, 2022

Mehdi Taremi named among Finalists for FIFA Puskas Award

Kuala Lumpur: FIFA has announced that Islamic Republic of Iran star forward Mehdi Taremi is among the final three nominees for the FIFA Puskas Award, the prize given to the player judged to have scored the most aesthetically pleasing goal.

Taremi was nominated for the award following his sensational bicycle kick goal for club side FC Porto scored against Chelsea FC in the 2021 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals on 13 April, 2021.

AFC Futsal Asian Cup Kuwait 2022™ Qualifiers draw reveals path to Finals for teams

Thu, 06 Jan, 2022

AFC Futsal Asian Cup Kuwait 2022™ Qualifiers draw reveals path to Finals for teams

Kuala Lumpur: Asia’s futsal stars discovered their challengers following the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Kuwait 2022™ Qualifiers virtual draw ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

With host nation Kuwait already assured of a place in the tournament, the 30 participating Member Associations (MAs) were divided into the East and West Zones while the Central and South Zones were combined.

For the combined Central and South Zones, 12-time champions Islamic Republic of Iran were drawn in Group A alongside Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan and Maldives. Four-time runners-up Uzbekistan will face Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Nepal in Group B.

In the East Zone, three-time champions Japan will have China PR and Mongolia for company in Group A, while Chinese Taipei, Korea Republic and Hong Kong are in Group B.

Central and South Asian Wrap: Hyderabad reach summit, Persepolis see off Tractor

Thu, 06 Jan, 2022

Central and South Asian Wrap: Hyderabad reach summit, Persepolis see off Tractor

Bishkek: The race to the Indian Super League finals is heating up with seven teams within a win of the summit, while Persepolis and FC Tractor experience contrasting fortunes in the Iran Pro League.

Elsewhere, Nepal’s Machhindra celebrate a vital win, while the Federation Cup of Bangladesh nears its conclusion.
 
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Wolves sign Japan international Hayao Kawabe

Thu, 06 Jan, 2022

Wolves sign Japan international Hayao Kawabe

London: English Premier League side Wolves on Wednesday announced the signing of Japan international Hayao Kawabe from Swiss Super League side Grasshoppers.

The midfielder, who signed a three-and-a-half-year deal, is expected to return to Switzerland to complete the season on loan after spending January at Molineux.

The 26-year-old, who has four caps, joined Grasshoppers from Sanfrecce Hiroshima in July and has made 18 appearances, scoring four goals.

Largest cast of match officials set for AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™

Wed, 05 Jan, 2022

Largest cast of match officials set for AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™

Kuala Lumpur: The biggest-ever cast of talented and experienced women match officials have been assigned to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ that will take place from January 20 to February 6. 

With the expansion of the showpiece to 12 teams, a total of 32 match officials, comprising 16 referees and assistant referees from 15 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Member Associations, will take charge in potentially a maximum of 29 matches including the play-offs.

The time is now for Korea Republic, says iconic Ji So-yun

Tue, 04 Jan, 2022

The time is now for Korea Republic, says iconic Ji So-yun

Namhae: Ji So-yun has won all but a few accolades in her glittering career, but the Korea Republic star knows the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 is a rare opportunity to capture an elusive international title,

In the history of Asian football, few players in either women's or men's football can point to a more impressive list of achievements than Ji.
 
A senior international debutant, and goal scorer, at the age of just 15, the Seoul-born superstar has gone on to represent her country 131 times, scoring a national record 59 goals, but that tells only a portion of the story.