Europe Wrap: Kubo scores in La Liga opener; Lee makes PSG debut

Wed, 16 Aug, 2023

Europe Wrap: Kubo scores in La Liga opener; Lee makes PSG debut

Kuala Lumpur: Takefusa Kubo began from where he left off last season in Spain as the Japan international scored in Real Sociedad's 1-1 draw against Girona in San Sebastian on Saturday during the opening weekend of the 2023-24 La Liga season.

In France, Korea Republic attacking midfielder Lee Kang-in made his Ligue 1 debut for Paris Saint-Germain in a goalless draw against FC Lorient after his move from Spain while his compatriot Kim Min-jae made his Bayern Munich bow as a substitute during the DFL-Supercup tie in Germany.
 
Australian manager Ange Postecoglou took charge of Tottenham Hotspur in England’s Premier League for the first time, Japanese star Kanya Fujimoto bagged a double in Portugal and Iraq’s Amir Al Ammari was on target in Sweden, so join the-AFC.com as we find out how the Asian stars performed in Europe over the past week. 

Neymar signs for Al Hilal

Wed, 16 Aug, 2023

Neymar signs for Al Hilal

Riyadh: Brazil forward Neymar has signed for Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal SFC after six seasons with French champions Paris Saint-Germain, the two clubs announced on Tuesday.

“I am here in Saudi Arabia, I am Hilali,” the 31-year-old Neymar said in a video posted on the club’s social media accounts.

Preview - S-final: Australia v England

Wed, 16 Aug, 2023

Preview - S-final: Australia v England

Sydney: Head coach Tony Gustavsson believes there is no margin for error when Australia face England in their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 semi-final at Stadium Australia on Wednesday.

Both teams will meet for the first time in the competition with Australia having a psychological advantage after defeating England 2-0 in a recent friendly with Gustavsson confident his team will be prepared to face the unbeaten European champions  who have scored 10 goals in the tournament.

SF - Australia v England: Facts & Figures

Tue, 15 Aug, 2023

SF - Australia v England: Facts & Figures

Sydney: Not a single empty seat is expected at Stadium Australia when Australia face England in their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 semi-final on Wednesday.

Both teams are bidding to lift the trophy for the first time and ahead of the highly-anticipated last four clash, the-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts and figures. 

Winning starts for Al Ittihad, Al Hilal; Al Nassr edged by Al Ettifaq

Tue, 15 Aug, 2023

Winning starts for Al Ittihad, Al Hilal; Al Nassr edged by Al Ettifaq

Riyadh: Al Ittihad kicked off their defence of the Saudi Pro League title with an impressive 3-0 win over Al Raed on Monday.

Al Hilal SFC, aiming to regain the trophy after a third-placed finish in 2022-23, scored a 3-1 win over Abha but Al Nassr fell to a 2-1 defeat against Al Ettifaq despite Sadio Mane scoring on his debut. 

Preliminary Round: Know Your Teams (East)

Mon, 14 Aug, 2023

Preliminary Round: Know Your Teams (East)

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League™ 2023-24 gets underway on Tuesday as 10 sides from across the continent compete in the one-legged preliminary round, bidding to move a step closer towards the group stage of Asia’s most prestigious club competition.

Excitement is growing as the tournament nears because, for the first time since the beginning of the 2020 campaign and the onset of COVID-19, the AFC Champions League’s group stage is set to return to its home-and-away format.
 
For the teams in the preliminary round, that remains two wins away. Ahead of the upcoming fixtures, the-AFC.com profiles the four teams from the East side of the draw aiming to clear the first hurdle.

Preliminary Round: Know Your Teams (West)

Mon, 14 Aug, 2023

Preliminary Round: Know Your Teams (West)

Riyadh: The AFC Champions League™ 2023-24 gets underway on Tuesday as 10 sides from across the continent compete in the one-legged preliminary round, bidding to move a step closer towards the group stage of Asia’s most prestigious club competition.

Excitement is growing ahead of the upcoming edition as, for the first time since the beginning of the 2020 campaign and the onset of Covid-19, the AFC Champions League’s group stage is set to return to its home-and-away format.
 
For the teams in the preliminary round, that remains two wins away. Ahead of the upcoming fixtures, the-AFC.com profiles the six sides from the West side of the draw aiming to clear the first hurdle.

Preliminary Round 2: The Contenders

Mon, 14 Aug, 2023

Preliminary Round 2: The Contenders

Kuala Lumpur: The anticipation is building around AFC Cup™ 2023-24 as 10 teams from across Asia are gearing up for five one-legged Preliminary Round 2 ties starting on Tuesday with the aim of moving a step closer to a place in the continental competition.

The qualification action began on August 8 when Nepal’s Machhindra FC came from behind to defeat Bhutan’s Paro FC 3-2 in the only Preliminary Round 1 match in Kathmandu and moved on to the next stage where they are now joined by nine other contenders battling for places in the playoffs. 
 
Ahead of the upcoming gamess, join the-AFC.com as we look at the 10 sides from the South, Central and ASEAN zones who will take to the pitch in the coming days.