2022 V.League: 5 things to look out for

Wed, 23 Feb, 2022

2022 V.League: 5 things to look out for

Hanoi: Club football will return to Vietnam when the 2022 V.League 1 gets underway on Friday, February 25 in a weekend that will see the teams return to domestic action for the first time since May last year.

With the 2021 competition cancelled due to COVID-19, it’s been a long wait for fans of Vietnamese football, who got to celebrate their country’s first-ever win over China PR in January and can now finally look forward to seeing their favourite club sides back in action. 

Ahead of the first round of fixtures, the-AFC.com highlights five things to look out for in the season ahead.

Vietnam edge Thailand as both advance to semi-finals

Tue, 22 Feb, 2022

Vietnam edge Thailand as both advance to semi-finals

Phnom Penh: Vietnam sealed a place in the AFF Under-23 Championship 2022 semi-finals after defeating Thailand 1-0 to top Group C on Tuesday.

Nguyen Trung Thanh’s thumping free-kick was the only goal of the game as Vietnam sealed top spot, while Thailand advanced into the knockout stage as the best second-placed team.

Vietnam will play Timor-Leste in the semi-finals while Thailand will take on Laos. 

Training sites in Australia confirmed for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™

Wed, 23 Feb, 2022

Training sites in Australia confirmed for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™

Zurich: FIFA on Wednesday confirmed the first training sites in Australia that will be available to the teams participating in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™.

Each training site will be available for use by participating teams throughout the tournament and the selection marks the conclusion of the initial phase of team facility planning for the tournament.

Li calls up fresh faces for China PR ahead of Saudi Arabia, Oman fixtures

Tue, 22 Feb, 2022

Li calls up fresh faces for China PR ahead of Saudi Arabia, Oman fixtures

Shanghai: China PR head coach Li Xiaopeng has called up 39 players for a centralised training camp ahead of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ matches in March.

The training camp kicks off on March 3 in Haikou, Hainan with Li including several new players for the Group B ties against Saudi Arabia on March 24 and Oman five days later.

Makino: I will always love Urawa, but my focus now is on Vissel Kobe

Tue, 22 Feb, 2022

Makino: I will always love Urawa, but my focus now is on Vissel Kobe

Kobe: After 10 trophy-laden years at Urawa Red Diamonds, the familiar figure of Tomoaki Makino will no longer be wearing the famous red shirt of the Saitama side after joining Vissel Kobe ahead of the 2022 J1 League season.

The charismatic Samurai Blue defender joined the-AFC.com for an exclusive interview to discuss his move to Vissel Kobe, the J1 League and AFC Champions League play-off match against Melbourne Victory, as well as Wednesday’s emotional return to Saitama Stadium when his new side face Urawa.

Kaya’s Bedic targeting AFC Champions League group stage

Mon, 21 Feb, 2022

Kaya’s Bedic targeting AFC Champions League group stage

Iloilo: Kaya FC-Iloilo captain Jovin Bedic believes the Filipino side can repeat the feat of last year and secure their place in the group stage of the 2022 AFC Champions League. 

The Southeast Asians overcame China PR's Shanghai Port in 2021 to advance to the continental competition for the first time, and they face arguably an even tougher task this time with two qualification rounds to navigate.