Al Hilal back on top, Al Ittihad held

Sat, 30 Sep, 2023

Al Hilal back on top, Al Ittihad held

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC reclaimed the 2023/24 Saudi Pro League top spot after a 2-0 win over Al Shabab on Friday.

Defending champions Al Ittihad relinquished pole position after being held by Al Fayha while Cristiano Ronaldo struck the winner against Al Ta'ee as Al Nassr registered their sixth consecutive victory after a slow start.

Mikael: The ACL is tough but Kitchee will bounce back

Thu, 28 Sep, 2023

Mikael: The ACL is tough but Kitchee will bounce back

Hong Kong: Having scored one of the most spectacular AFC Champions League™ goals in recent times, Kitchee SC forward Mikael Severo has surely guaranteed his place in the 2023-24 edition's highlights reel.

The 30-year-old Brazilian let fly with a bicycle kick from an acute angle in a jaw-dropping strike against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors that caught the attention of football lovers from across the continent.
 
Despite a narrow 2-1 loss in Korea Republic, the Hong Kong champions now have back-to-back home games and are aiming to reach the knockout stage for the second successive season. 
 
The-AFC.com caught up with Mikael to discuss his hopes for the campaign, the rise of the AFC Champions League and, of course, that goal.

Preview - Matchday Two

Thu, 28 Sep, 2023

Preview - Matchday Two

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Two of the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 will see teams either aiming to maintain their winning starts or looking to bounce back after kicking off their campaign on a low note.

With matches coming thick and fast on the continental and domestic fronts, the 36 hopefuls know they can't leave it late in the race for knockout stage berths.
 
Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at what is in store on Matchday Two, which will be played from Monday to Thursday across the continent.

#AFCCup Goals of the Group Stage - Matchday One

Wed, 27 Sep, 2023

#AFCCup Goals of the Group Stage - Matchday One

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Cup™ 2023/24 got off to an explosive start last week with 36 teams vying for the title in the final edition of the competition.

Goals were aplenty as fans across the continent saw long range stunners, sublime free-kicks and well-worked team efforts.

The-AFC.com has selected eight goals from Matchday One and invites you, the fans, to pick your favourite.

Japan to face DPR Korea in men's last eight, Saudi Arabia to play Uzbekistan

Thu, 28 Sep, 2023

Japan to face DPR Korea in men's last eight, Saudi Arabia to play Uzbekistan

Hangzhou: Japan defeated Myanmar 7-0 on Thursday to set up an Hangzhou Asian Games men's quarter-final showdown with DPR Korea while Saudi Arabia also reached the last eight with a hard-fought win over India.

Saudi Arabia will meet Uzbekistan, who defeated Indonesia 2-0 in extra-time. 
 
The women's quarter-finalists were also decided with defending champions Japan to meet Philippines.

Japan's Ono calls time on glittering career

Wed, 27 Sep, 2023

Japan's Ono calls time on glittering career

Sapporo: Former AFC Player of the Year and 2000 AFC Asian Cup winner Shinji Ono has announced he will finish his 25-year playing career at the end of the season.

Ono made the announcement on Wednesday through his current club Consadole Sapporo as he celebrated his 44th birthday, bringing to an end a professional career that started in 1998.