LATEST NEWS - OFA

Al Ahed's Mohammad, Al Nahda's Al Azani demand focus in return leg

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Al Ahed's Mohammad, Al Nahda's Al Azani demand focus in return leg

Karbala: Al Ahed head coach Raafat Mohammad has reminded his players to remain focused after their 1-0 win over Al Nahda in the first leg of the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 West Zone final on Tuesday. 

Mohammed Al Hallak's strike seconds into the second half ultimately settled the first leg but Mohammad said Lebanon's Al Ahed, the 2019 AFC Cup winners, are not through to the final yet. 

Al Hallak strike gives Al Ahed edge over Al Nahda

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Al Hallak strike gives Al Ahed edge over Al Nahda

Karbala: Lebanon’s Al Ahed took a valuable advantage in the AFC Cup 2023/24™ West Zonal Final beating Oman’s Al Nahda 1-0 in the first leg of the tie at Karbala International Stadium on Tuesday.

Champions in 2019, Al Ahed will look to defend their lead when the two teams face-off again in a week’s time in Oman with the aggregate winners facing one of the Inter-Zone finalists, Central Coast Mariners and Abdysh-Ata Kant in the AFC Cup final.

Preview - West Zone Final (1st Leg): Al Ahed FC (LBN) v Al Nahda (OMA)

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Preview - West Zone Final (1st Leg): Al Ahed FC (LBN) v Al Nahda (OMA)

Karbala: It will be a meeting between familiar foes when Al Ahed FC and Al Nahda square off in the first leg of the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 West Zone final on Tuesday.

The sides had already faced off in Group A and with either team having won once, the West Zone final is set to be tight affair.
 
Al Ahed, seeking a second title after having emerged champions in 2019, know they need to win by a comfortable margin ahead of next week's return leg in Muscat.

#AFCCup - West Zone Final: Key Players

Sun, 14 Apr, 2024

#AFCCup - West Zone Final: Key Players

Karbala: Oman’s Al Nahda and Lebanon’s Al Ahed face-off in a double header with a place in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 final the reward for the winning side in the West Zone Final.

The two teams will be familiar with each other’s game, having qualified together from Group A, but this time around only one of them will qualify through to the next round. The-AFC.com highlights the players who have the potential to be the difference makers in the tie.

#AFCCup - Road to West Zonal final

Fri, 12 Apr, 2024

#AFCCup - Road to West Zonal final

Kuala Lumpur: Al Ahed FC will face Al Nahda in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 West Zonal final with the first leg to be played on Tuesday.

Lebanon's Al Ahed are seeking a second AFC Cup title after having emerged champions in 2019 while Al Nahda are determined to follow in the footsteps of fellow Omani club Al Seeb who won the 2022 edition.
 
The-AFC.com takes a look at how the sides qualified for the West Zonal final.

West Asia Wrap: Al Gharafa edge closer; Al Hilal relentless

Mon, 08 Apr, 2024

West Asia Wrap: Al Gharafa edge closer; Al Hilal relentless

Doha: Al Sadd SC’s title charge suffered a setback following a 3-1 defeat to Al Duhail SC as Al Gharafa moved within two points of them in the Qatar Stars League 2023/24 on Sunday. 

Al Hilal SFC, meanwhile, edged closer to the Saudi Pro League title with a 4-1 win over Al Khaleej which took them to 77 points, 12 ahead of Al Nassr with seven matches remaining. 

It is a tight race in the Bahrain Premier League with Al Khalidiya moving within a point of Al Riffa SC while Al Shorta SC and Air Force Club are locked in an enticing battle in the Iraqi Stars League. Join the-AFC.com as we bring you the latest domestic action from across West Asia.

West Asia Wrap: Al Futuwa continue reign; Al Hilal survive stiff test

Mon, 01 Apr, 2024

West Asia Wrap: Al Futuwa continue reign; Al Hilal survive stiff test

Damascus: Al Futuwa SC successfully defended their Syrian Premier League title, with a 3-1 defeat of Al Hurriya giving them an unassailable lead of 45 points with four matches remaining.

In Saudi Arabia, Al Hilal SFC kept their unbeaten run going but not before surviving a major scare from Al Shabab while Cristiano Ronaldo starred with a hat-trick as Al Nassr kept their faint hopes alive by defeating Al Tai 5-1. 

Join the-AFC.com as we recap the latest domestic action from across West Asia.

Team spirit vital to Kyrgyz Republic success, says Tarkovic

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Team spirit vital to Kyrgyz Republic success, says Tarkovic

Bishkek: Head coach Stefan Tarkovic credited his team’s unity for the 5-1 win over Chinese Taipei in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group D tie on Tuesday.

The win ensured Kyrgyz Republic stayed on top of the standings with nine points, ahead of Oman on goal difference, with Chinese Taipei remaining bottom.

Group D: Malaysia 0-2 Oman

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Group D: Malaysia 0-2 Oman

Kuala Lumpur: Oman defeated Malaysia 2-0 in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group D tie on Tuesday. 

The richly deserved win leaves Oman on nine points, level with Kyrgyz Republic, who defeated Chinese Taipei 5-1. 

Preview - Group D: Kyrgyz Republic v Chinese Taipei; Malaysia v Oman

Sun, 24 Mar, 2024

Preview - Group D: Kyrgyz Republic v Chinese Taipei; Malaysia v Oman

Kuala Lumpur: It’s all to play for in Group D with Oman, Kyrgyz Republic and Malaysia on six points and each of them will be looking to gain an advantage on Matchday Four of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Tuesday.

Kyrgyz Republic will be aiming to complete the double over Chinese Taipei while Malaysia will rely on home ground advantage to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Oman.

Silhavy applauds Oman’s drive; focused Kyrgyz Republic thrill Tarkovic

Fri, 22 Mar, 2024

Silhavy applauds Oman’s drive; focused Kyrgyz Republic thrill Tarkovic

Muscat: Oman head coach Jaroslav Silhavy was delighted after his side cruised to a 2-0 win over Malaysia to revive their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group D hopes on Thursday.

The West Asian side could have won by a wider margin but Silhavy was pleased with the performance of the players in the Czech’s first match as head coach. 
 

Group D: Oman 2-0 Malaysia

Fri, 22 Mar, 2024

Group D: Oman 2-0 Malaysia

Muscat: Oman got their campaign back on track with a 2-0 win over Malaysia in Group D of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday.

The win saw Oman move to the top of the group on goal difference, with the West Asian side tied on six points with Kyrgyz Republic and Malaysia.