East Asia Wrap: Ulsan gain momentum; Port win thriller against Shandong

Mon, 15 Apr, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Ulsan gain momentum; Port win thriller against Shandong

Hong Kong: Ulsan Hyundai warmed up for Wednesday’s AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 semi-final first leg against Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos with an impressive 4-0 defeat of Gangwon FC which saw the K League 1 defending champions move two points behind leaders Pohang Steelers. 

Wu Lei scored his sixth and seventh goals of the season to power reigning champions Shanghai Port to a comeback win against Shandong Taishan in China PR on Sunday as unbeaten Shanghai Shenhua continued to lead the standings despite a 1-1 draw with Beijing FC on Saturday. 
 
Cerezo Osaka emerged as the new frontrunners in Japan after posting a narrow 1-0 victory against Kawasaki Frontale while matches also took place in Hong Kong, Mongolia, Macau and Chinese Taipei, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.

Preview - Group A: Qatar v Indonesia

Mon, 15 Apr, 2024

Preview - Group A: Qatar v Indonesia

Doha: There will be no holding back when Indonesia open their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ Group A campaign on Monday.

Awaiting the tournament debutants are hosts Qatar, who are equally determined to go all the way after the senior team won the AFC Asian Cup™ title for the second consecutive time just weeks ago. 

Preview - Group A: Australia v Jordan

Mon, 15 Apr, 2024

Preview - Group A: Australia v Jordan

Doha: Jordan head coach Abdallah Abu Zema is hoping to build on his nation’s run to the final of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ as the country pursues a first-ever Olympic Games qualification when the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ kicks off on Monday.

The Jordanians begin their campaign for one of the three guaranteed berths in Paris in Group A against Australia at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium with the achievements of the senior team still fresh in their memories.

Nasrullo Kabirov to referee #AFCU23 opener

Sun, 14 Apr, 2024

Nasrullo Kabirov to referee #AFCU23 opener

Doha: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today confirmed that Nasrullo Kabirov will oversee the opening match of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™, which will take place between Qatar and Indonesia on Monday at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.

Set to kick off at 6.30pm, the Group A fixture will mark Kabirov’s officiating debut at the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ and the Tajik referee will be supported by compatriots Vafo Karaev and Hasan Karimov, who will serve as assistant referees. Mooud Bonyadifard of the Islamic Republic of Iran has been assigned as the fourth official.

#ACL - Semi-final (West): Ones to Watch

Sat, 13 Apr, 2024

#ACL - Semi-final (West): Ones to Watch

Al Ain: The race for the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 title boils down to four teams as the competition enters the semi-final stage. Former champions Al Ain and Al Hilal lock horns on the west side with the first leg taking place in the UAE on Tuesday.

With both sides boasting multiple local and international stars, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on three stars from each side that could make the difference in their respective teams’ pursuit of a spot in the final.

#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.

#AFCU23 - Ones to Watch

Sun, 14 Apr, 2024

#AFCU23 - Ones to Watch

Kuala Lumpur: Sixteen teams from across the continent will bring some of Asia's brightest talents to the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ as the sixth edition of the tournament kicks off on Monday.

Over the years, the competition has witnessed a number of players who have gone on to impress for club and country, and that is exactly what the current crop of players will be aiming for as they also seek continental glory and a place at the 2024 Paris Olympics by finishing as one of the top three teams.
 
From Japanese midfield livewire Kuryu Matsuki to United Arab Emirates prolific scorer Sultan Adil, the-AFC.com takes a look at eight youngsters who could make heads turn in the latest edition of the continental competition.

#ACFutsal2024 - Know Your Teams: Groups A & B

Sun, 14 Apr, 2024

#ACFutsal2024 - Know Your Teams: Groups A & B

Bangkok: The AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024 kicks off on April 17 with 16 teams aiming to lift the coveted title.

Join the-AFC.com as we preview Groups A and B with the top two teams from each to progress to the quarter-finals, with the tournament also serving as the qualifier for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024.