AFC Cup 2021 - Archive News

Vote for your Best Goal of the 2021 AFC Cup

Sat, 18 Dec, 2021

Vote for your Best Goal of the 2021 AFC Cup

Kuala Lumpur: After last year’s AFC Cup was cancelled, the 2021 edition did not disappoint, with Bahrain’s Muharraq Club crowned champions of a tournament that offered numerous memorable moments. 

As fans of Asian football start to look towards next year, the-AFC.com brings the curtain down on the 2021 AFC Cup by reviewing some of the finest goals scored in the continental competition. 

Enjoy our 10 nominees for the best goal of the tournament and then vote for your favourite at the bottom of the article. 

2021 AFC Cup: The Milestones

Sat, 11 Dec, 2021

2021 AFC Cup: The Milestones

Kuala Lumpur: After the tournament’s postponement last year, the AFC Cup returned in 2021 with Bahrain’s Muharraq Club winning their second continental title, some 13 years after their first. 

As ever, there were many memorable moments from the continental competition, and the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on some of the standout statistics from the 2021 AFC Cup.

AFC’s club competitions set for strategic reforms

Tue, 30 Nov, 2021

AFC’s club competitions set for strategic reforms

Kuala Lumpur: Eagerly anticipated reforms designed to elevate AFC’s club competitions to the next level are set to be introduced in the near future.

While addressing the AFC Executive Committee on November 21, 2021, AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “I am pleased to note that the AFC competitions continue to grow. There will be changes to the rules on foreign players, as well as to our competitions calendar. These are all part of the strategy to improve our players, clubs and national teams on the world stage.”

AFC Cup Final defeat is a lesson learnt, says Nasaf’s Berdiev

Sun, 07 Nov, 2021

AFC Cup Final defeat is a lesson learnt, says Nasaf’s Berdiev

Arad: Head coach Ruzikul Berdiev lamented his FC Nasaf side’s misfortune in conceding so early in the match but was adamant their 3-0 defeat to Muharraq Club in the 2021 AFC Cup final carries important lessons to be learnt for the future.

Playing in front of a capacity crowd at Sheikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Nasaf came into the final off the back of a six-match winning run in the competition, but faced the challenge of a Muharraq side that had not conceded a single goal in the knockout stage, downing reigning champions Al Ahed 3-0 and three-time winners Kuwait SC 2-0.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_cup/video/afccup2021_muharraq_club_bhr_-_trophy_lift.html

AFC President hails Muharraq Club for clinching AFC Cup 2021 title

Sat, 06 Nov, 2021

AFC President hails Muharraq Club for clinching AFC Cup 2021 title

Arad: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated Bahrain’s Muharraq Club for securing their second AFC Cup crown after the West Asians defeated Uzbekistan’s FC Nasaf 3-0 in a thrilling final at the Sheikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium in Bahrain on Friday.

Shaikh Salman said: “On behalf of the Asian football family, I must congratulate Muharraq Club for their incredible consistency and steadfast perseverance in securing the coveted AFC Cup 2021 title.

“Credit must also be given to everyone at the club, from the backroom staff to the coaches for working tirelessly behind the scenes and I am sure that this victory will inspire the club towards greater achievements in the future.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_cup/video/afccup2021_-_final__muharraq_club_bhr_3_-_0_fc_nasaf_uzb.html

Muharraq's Abdulwahab Al Maloud named 2021 AFC Cup MVP

Sat, 06 Nov, 2021

Muharraq's Abdulwahab Al Maloud named 2021 AFC Cup MVP

Arad: Muharraq Club forward Abdulwahab Al Malood enjoyed double glory on Friday, being named the 2021 AFC Cup Most Valuable Player to add to his team’s 3-0 triumph over FC Nasaf to win a second AFC Cup title in their history.

The midfielder played a sterling part in the Bahraini side winning the AFC Cup for a second time with his consistent performances throughout a season which they capped with a dominant 3-0 win over Uzbekistan's FC Nasaf in the final.

Al Maloud started every one of Muharraq’s seven matches in the 2021 AFC Cup, topping the competition’s assist charts, setting up six goals for his teammates, including Mahmoud Al Mardi’s opening goal in the final.

Nasaf's Norchaev wins 2021 AFC Cup Top Scorer award

Sat, 06 Nov, 2021

Nasaf's Norchaev wins 2021 AFC Cup Top Scorer award

Arad: FC Nasaf forward Khusain Norchaev won the 2021 AFC Cup top scorer award after finishing the campaign with seven goals, two more than his nearest challenger, Ahal FC’s Elman Tagayev.

The 19-year-old entered the history books becoming the youngest player in the competition’s history to be named top scorer, breaking the record of Shabab Al Ordon’s Odai Al Saify, who was the 2007 AFC Cup joint top scorer with five goals aged 21.

Norchaev became the first Uzbek to win the AFC Cup top scorer award and the second Nasaf player after Montenegrin striker Ivan Boskovic in 2011.

‘Secret’ pre-match video was key to AFC Cup final triumph, says Muharraq Club’s Al Sadoon

Sun, 07 Nov, 2021

‘Secret’ pre-match video was key to AFC Cup final triumph, says Muharraq Club’s Al Sadoon

Arad: Muharraq head coach Isa Al Sadoon believed the mental state of his players was the difference as the Bahraini side cruised to a 3-0 victory over FC Nasaf in the 2021 AFC Cup final to win their second title in the competition on Friday.

Summer recruit Mahmoud Al Mardi curled an effort from distance to open the scoring for Muharraq after just three minutes in front of a large crowd at Sheikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium. The Bahrainis kept their concentration to see off an avalanche of Uzbek attacks throughout the next hour.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_cup/video/1mahmoud_al_mardi–muharraq_club_vs_fc_nasaf.html

AFC Cup Final: Five players who shone on the biggest stage

Fri, 05 Nov, 2021

AFC Cup Final: Five players who shone on the biggest stage

Kuala Lumpur: The 2021 AFC Cup will draw to its conclusion on Friday when former winners Muharraq Club of Bahrain and Uzbekistan’s FC Nasaf meet in the final in Arad. 

Nasaf’s Khusain Norchaev is the competition’s leading scorer, with seven strikes to his name, and he will look to continue his stunning form in the grand finale and etch his name into the history books. 

Over the years, the final has seen some standout individual performances, with career-defining goals living long in the memory. Ahead of Friday's showdown, the-AFC.com looks back at five players who left their mark when it mattered most.