ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: New leaders in Indonesia; Title race going down to the wire in China PR

Mon, 19 Dec, 2022

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: New leaders in Indonesia; Title race going down to the wire in China PR

Hong Kong: There are new leaders in Indonesia as Borneo FC beat reigning champions Bali United 3-1 on Thursday to rise to the top of a table that now sees just one point separating the top four sides. 

The engrossing Chinese Super League title race between Wuhan Three Towns and Shandong Taishan is heading for a nail-biting conclusion as the two sides posted wins to stay within three points of each other with only a few rounds left to play. 
 
Second-placed Western Sydney Wanderers and third-placed Adelaide United suffered defeats to Western United and Wellington Phoenix respectively in Australia while BC Rangers moved to the semi-finals of the Hong Kong FA Cup by edging Wofoo Tai Po 1-0, so join the-AFC.com as we review this week’s action from across ASEAN and East Asia. 

Preview: Vietnam favourites but challengers lurk

Tue, 20 Dec, 2022

Preview: Vietnam favourites but challengers lurk

Kuala Lumpur: Vietnam are the overwhelming favourites to win the 2022 AFF Cup in what will be the final tournament for long-serving head coach Park Hang-seo.

The two-time winners will be desperate to send their Korean mentor off on a high by savouring regional honours once again following their previous triumphs in 2008 and 2018.

With 10 nations fighting to be crowned champions of the 2022 AFF Cup, the-AFC.com takes a look at the contenders ahead of the tournament kicking off on Tuesday.

Scaloni tells fans to enjoy amazing victory

Mon, 19 Dec, 2022

Scaloni tells fans to enjoy amazing victory

Lusail: Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni, who masterminded the South Americans' penalty shoot-out victory over France in Sunday's FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final, called on his compatriots to enjoy the glory.

"It hasn't yet sunk in but this is a moment to enjoy, especially the people," Scaloni told the official FIFA World Cup media channel in Doha.

"We who live by this have had ups and downs, we're used to these things happening to us, taking blows," he added after the remarkable topsy turvy final in the Lusail stadium.

Deschamps rues 'cruel' defeat

Mon, 19 Dec, 2022

Deschamps rues 'cruel' defeat

Lusail: France head coach Didier Deschamps said the way his team lost Sunday's FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final against Argentina was "cruel" after they came from behind twice over the course of the game only to succumb in a penalty shoot-out.

"We were not as good in the first 60 minutes against top-quality opponents who had a lot more energy, but we came back from nowhere and turned the game around from a very difficult situation. That leaves us with even more regrets," said Deschamps after France failed in their bid to become the first team in 60 years to retain the trophy.

Messi wins Golden Ball

Mon, 19 Dec, 2022

Messi wins Golden Ball

Lusail: Lionel Messi on Sunday won the Golden Ball for the best player at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 after leading Argentina to victory in the final against France.

Messi scored twice in the final in Doha, taking his tally of goals at the tournament to seven, and also scored in the shoot-out as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties following a 3-3 draw after extra time.

Hurst hails Mbappe on joining hat-trick club

Mon, 19 Dec, 2022

Hurst hails Mbappe on joining hat-trick club

London: Geoff Hurst said he had enjoyed a "good run" after France's Kylian Mbappe became just the second player after the England great to score a hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup final.

Hurst had stood alone for 56 years as the only player to score three goals in the showpiece match, with his treble central to England's 4-2 extra-time win over the then West Germany at Wembley in 1966.

But his feat was equalled on Sunday when Mbappe's treble helped France fight back from 2-0 down and then 3-2 behind at the Lusail Stadium as the final finished level at 3-3 after extra-time before Argentina prevailed in a penalty shoot-out that capped a dramatic match.