Player to Watch: Asnawi Mangkualam (Indonesia)

Sat, 09 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Asnawi Mangkualam (Indonesia)

Kuala Lumpur: Tenacious and physical with a desire to attack, Indonesia’s right-back Asnawi Mangkualam is a captain who leads by example in his efforts to drive his national team forward.

The 24-year-old possesses a determination that belies his youth and it is little wonder he is the first name on the team sheet for head coach Shin Tae-yong.
 
Football is in the blood of a player who represented his country consistently at youth level, with Indonesia’s Liga 1 outfit PSM Makassar central to his development.

Saudi Arabia 2023: Squads in Numbers

Sat, 09 Dec, 2023

Saudi Arabia 2023: Squads in Numbers

Jeddah: The FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023 kicks off on Tuesday with Al Ittihad playing Auckland City in a first round clash.

As Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad and New Zealand's intensify their preparations, we take a look at the facts and figures from the final squads. 

Al Hilal maintain lead, Al Nassr bounce back

Sat, 09 Dec, 2023

Al Hilal maintain lead, Al Nassr bounce back

Al Matar: Al Hilal defeated Al Tai 2-1 to maintain their seven-point lead in the Saudi Pro League 2023/24 on Friday.

Al Nassr beat Al Riyadh 4-1 to stay second while defending champions Al Ittihad suffered another setback, going down 3-1 to Damac on Thursday.

Wang Shuang signs for Tottenham

Fri, 08 Dec, 2023

Wang Shuang signs for Tottenham

London: China PR midfielder Wang Shuang has signed for Tottenham Hotspur, the English club announced on Friday. 

The 28-year old will join Tottenham on January 1 following the expiry of her contract with American side Racing Louisville.

Tottenham said her contract will run until 2026 and Wang Shuang will wear the number 77 for the women's first team.

Player to Watch: Sunil Chhetri (India)

Fri, 08 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Sunil Chhetri (India)

Kuala Lumpur: Even at the grand old age of 39, India captain Sunil Chhetri continues to shoulder the hopes of an entire nation as he remains the talismanic figure of the Indian national team.

The evergreen Bengaluru FC forward first appeared in the AFC Asian Cup™ back in 2011, which was also held in Qatar, and he returns to the Gulf country for his third continental appearance.
 
India’s most capped player and the fourth highest men’s international goalscorer of all time has won numerous accolades for club and country and is once again looking to galvanise his beloved nation at the upcoming quadrennial showpiece.

Moriyasu: Japan must 'deal with anything'

Fri, 08 Dec, 2023

Moriyasu: Japan must 'deal with anything'

Tokyo: Japan will need to be able to "deal with anything" at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ if they are to win a record fifth title, head coach Hajime Moriyasu has stressed. 

Japan are one of the favourites for the tournament, which kicks off on January 12, after winning their last eight games including away victories over Germany and Turkey.

Latest update on AFC Cup™ 2023/24

Fri, 08 Dec, 2023

Latest update on AFC Cup™ 2023/24

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has been informed by the Palestine Football Association of the withdrawal of its club, Jabal Al Mukaber, from the AFC Cup™ 2023/24, citing force majeure due to the ongoing conflict in Palestine.

As a result, according to Article 5.6 of the AFC Cup 2023/24™ Competition Regulations, all the matches of Jabal Al Mukaber in Group A stand cancelled and considered null and void. All points and goals in those matches shall not be taken into consideration when determining the final rankings in Group A pursuant to Article 8.3 of the Regulations.

Muscat to leave Marinos

Thu, 07 Dec, 2023

Muscat to leave Marinos

Yokohama: Yokohama F Marinos have announced that J1 League title-winning head coach Kevin Muscat will leave the club at the end of the season.

Muscat took over from fellow Australian Ange Postecoglou in the summer of 2021 before leading F Marinos to the title in 2022, and his last game in charge will be Wednesday’s AFC Champions League™ meeting with Chinese Super League side Shandong Taishan.

Janas urges Urawa to move on from elimination heartbreak

Thu, 07 Dec, 2023

Janas urges Urawa to move on from elimination heartbreak

Hanoi: Assistant head coach Rafal Janas insists Urawa Red Diamonds must quickly forget Wednesday’s AFC Champions League™ 2023/2024 defeat to Vietnam’s Hanoi FC with the FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023 coming up next week for the Japanese side.

Bryan Linssen cancelled out Dao Van Nam’s opener before Hanoi scored the winner through Pham Tuan Hai’s 87th minute spot-kick as Urawa, who lifted the AFC Champions League title for the third time in May, crashed out. 

They play Mexico’s Club Leon in the second round of the FIFA Club World Cup on December 15. 

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/photo/acl_-_images_-_west_md6.html

Pohang’s Kim disappointed with Wuhan draw

Thu, 07 Dec, 2023

Pohang’s Kim disappointed with Wuhan draw

Wuhan: Head coach Kim Gi-dong was disappointed that Pohang Steelers could not end their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group J campaign with a perfect record. 

The Korea Republic side have been a revelation all season long but had to come from behind to salvage a 1-1 against China PR’s Wuhan Three Towns FC on Wednesday, having won all five previous matches in the group stage. 

Player to Watch: Everton Camargo (Hong Kong, China)

Thu, 07 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Everton Camargo (Hong Kong, China)

Kuala Lumpur: Since taking over as Hong Kong, China head coach in December 2021 Jorn Andersen has sought to add energy and goals to a team that often lacked an attacking edge; with the integration of Everton Camargo into his squad in September the Norwegian finally has both.

The Brazil-born forward has only played four times for his new team but in that time the 32-year-old has added pace and power to the right side of a line-up that will be representing the territory at the AFC Asian Cup™ for the first time since 1968.