Al Nassr’s Ronaldo breaks Saudi Pro League scoring record

Tue, 28 May, 2024

Al Nassr’s Ronaldo breaks Saudi Pro League scoring record

Riyadh: Cristiano Ronaldo broke the record for the most goals in a Saudi Pro League season when he struck for the 34th and 35th time in Al Nassr's final game of the campaign on Monday.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star struck in first-half stoppage time and again in the 69th minute with a header as Al Nassr defeated Al Ittihad 4-2 at home.

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#ACL Final: 2nd Leg in Numbers

Tue, 28 May, 2024

#ACL Final: 2nd Leg in Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: The curtain came down on the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Saturday as Al Ain FC were crowned kings of Asia following a 5-1 second-leg victory over Yokohama F. Marinos that saw them run out 6-3 winners on aggregate.

The final also brought to a close the competition in its current format as Asian club football heads into an exciting new era next season with the launch of the AFC Champions League Elite™ and the AFC Champions League 2™.

As continental club football takes a break until the new tournaments begin, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the stats and facts from the second leg of the final.

Vote for your #ACL NEOM Future Star

Mon, 27 May, 2024

Vote for your #ACL NEOM Future Star

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 delivered in spectacular fashion following the conclusion of a campaign that started back on 15 August 2023 and drew the curtain with the climax in Al Ain on 25 May 2024. 

After Al Ain’s win over Yokohama F. Marinos in the final, the-AFC.com now looks to the future and the younger generation of stars that have risen to prominence during the tournament by asking you, the fans, to select the NEOM Future Star of the 2023/24 edition. 

We’ve selected six nominees who have made their career breakthroughs at the AFC Champions League 2023/24 so study through the candidates and vote for your favourite NEOM Future Star at the foot of the article. 

West Asia Wrap: Al Sadd clinch 19th Amir Cup; titles decided in Kuwait, Jordan, UAE

Mon, 27 May, 2024

West Asia Wrap: Al Sadd clinch 19th Amir Cup; titles decided in Kuwait, Jordan, UAE

Doha: Mateus Uribe's dramatic 118th-minute goal secured 10-man Al Sadd a record-extending 19th Amir Cup victory following their 1-0 win over Qatar SC at the Education City Stadium on Friday.

Al Hussein tasted silverware for the first time after coming from behind to defeat Sahab SC 2-1 to lift their first Jordanian Pro League title while Al Wasl emerged champions in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait SC took the honours in Kuwait. .

Europe Wrap: Taremi exits with cup-winning goal; Lee lifts French Cup

Tue, 28 May, 2024

Europe Wrap: Taremi exits with cup-winning goal; Lee lifts French Cup

Kuala Lumpur: Mehdi Taremi added yet another piece of silverware to his collection in his farewell game for FC Porto as the Islamic Republic of Iran striker’s extra-time penalty helped his side edge Sporting Lisbon 2-1 in the Taca de Portugal final on Sunday – his fifth major title with the Portuguese club since joining them in 2020.

Lee Kang-in and Paris Saint-Germain clinched a domestic treble after they defeated Lyon 2-1 in the Coupe de France final while his Korea Republic teammate Cho Gue-sung lifted the Superliga title in Denmark after supplying an assist to help FC Midtjylland earn a crucial point on the final day of the season.

The Japanese trio of Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate started Cetlic’s Scottish Cup final win against Rangers, Moeka Minami and Saki Kumagai won the Italian Women’s Cup and Shion Homma’s Club Brugge secured the league title in Belgium, so join the-AFC.com as we find out how the Asian stars performed in Europe over the past week.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Persepolis take charge; mixed fortunes for Nasaf

Mon, 27 May, 2024

Central & South Asia Wrap: Persepolis take charge; mixed fortunes for Nasaf

Tehran: Defending champions Persepolis made the most of Esteghlal dropping points to climb up to the top of the Iran Pro League, while Nasaf experienced mixed fortunes in the Uzbekistan Super League.

In Turkmenistan, Arkadag continued their domination while Bashundhara Kings dropped points in the penultimate round of the Bangladesh Football Premier League, whereas Abdysh-Ata Kant consolidated their position at the top of the Kyrgyz Premier League.

The-AFC.com recaps the latest domestic action from leagues across Central and South Asia.

ASEAN Wrap: Mariners win historic treble; Persib gain upper hand in title clash

Mon, 27 May, 2024

ASEAN Wrap: Mariners win historic treble; Persib gain upper hand in title clash

Kuala Lumpur: Central Coast Mariners posted a 3-1 extra-time victory against Melbourne Victory in the A-League Grand Final on Saturday to win their second consecutive Championship title – adding to their AFC Cup™ 2023/24 and Premiers Plate triumphs this season and becoming the first Australian club to complete a treble.

In Indonesia, Persib Bandung took a big step towards winning their first league title in a decade after a double from David da Silva helped Bojan Hodak’s side defeat Madura United 3-0 in the first leg of the Liga 1 final on Sunday while Bali United and Borneo FC played out a goalless draw in the first leg of their third-place playoff.

Defending champions Buriram United were knocked out of the Thai League Cup on Wednesday by Muangthong United who will now face BG Pathum United in the final while matches also took place in Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Myanmar, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from ASEAN.

East Asia Wrap: Oscar treble in Port win; Vissel lose in league and cup

Mon, 27 May, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Oscar treble in Port win; Vissel lose in league and cup

Hong Kong: Brazilian attacking midfielder Oscar produced a hat-trick while Wu Lei netted his 15th goal in 13 appearances this season as reigning champions Shanghai Port defeated Cangzhou Mighty Lions 4-1 on Sunday to remain three points behind frontrunners Shanghai Shenhua in the Chinese Super League with a game in hand. 

It was a week to forget for Japanese champions Vissel Kobe as they bowed out of the J.League Cup following a shootout defeat to third-tier side Kataller Toyama before suffering a 1-0 loss to Tokyo Verdy in J1 League on Sunday while Urawa Red Diamonds also suffered back-to-back defeats across domestic cup and league.

Defending champions Ulsan Hyundai climbed to the top of the league table in Korea Republic after a 4-1 win against Daejeon Hana Citizen while matches also took place in Mongolia, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.

Asia's finest learn Uzbekistan 2024 challengers

Mon, 27 May, 2024

Asia's finest learn Uzbekistan 2024 challengers

Kuala Lumpur: The continent's five representatives learnt their FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 opponents following the official draw in Samarkand on Sunday.

The 24 teams were divided into six groups for the September 14-October 6 global showpiece that will be contested in three cities.