Mitrovic stars with brace as Al Hilal defeat Al Nassr

Sat, 02 Dec, 2023

Mitrovic stars with brace as Al Hilal defeat Al Nassr

Riyadh: Al Hilal turned on the power in the second half to defeat Al Nassr 3-0 in a Saudi Pro League 2023/24 tie on Friday.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic opened the scoring in the 64th minute with the in-form Aleksandar Mitrovic netting a late brace as the four-time Asian champions widened their lead at the top against their Riyadh rivals to seven points. 

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#ACL - Review: Matchday Five

Sat, 02 Dec, 2023

#ACL - Review: Matchday Five

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Five of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 concluded with another five teams booking their Round of 16 spots.

The trio of Saudi Arabia clubs Al Hilal SFC, Al Nassr and Al Ittihad, Thailand's Bangkok United FC and Kawasaki Frontale of Japan joined UAE's Al Ain FC and Pohang Steelers of Korea Republic - who had confirmed their tickets with two matches to spare - in the knockout stage.

There is, however, a lot more to unfold over the next two weeks so join the-AFC.com in our review of Matchday Five.

Saudi Arabia to host AFC Champions League Elite – Final Stage

Fri, 01 Dec, 2023

Saudi Arabia to host AFC Champions League Elite – Final Stage

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has today confirmed the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) as the Host Association for the AFC Champions League Elite – Final Stage for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons.

The Continent’s top 24 clubs will be divided into two leagues of 12 teams across the West and East regions, who will compete in a home and away league format for a place in the Round of 16, where the eight winners will advance to the Final Stage.

Sterjovski: Teamwork powered Macarthur

Fri, 01 Dec, 2023

Sterjovski: Teamwork powered Macarthur

Pathum Thani: Macarthur head coach Mile Sterjovski was pleased with his team for sticking to the game plan following their 4-0 win over Myanmar’s Shan United in Group F of the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 on Thursday.

Second-half goals from Danny De Silva, Jake Hollman, Tomislav Uskok and Jerry Skotadis ensured the A-League outfit maintained their slim advantage at the top of the standings with 12 points, ahead of Cambodia’s Phnom Penh Crown FC on goal difference.

Ong targets extended run for Sabah

Fri, 01 Dec, 2023

Ong targets extended run for Sabah

Singapore: Sabah FC booked their spot in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 ASEAN Zonal semi-finals on Thursday and the focus now will be on ensuring their run in the competition goes beyond that. 

Head coach Ong Kim Swee, while pleased to see his team secure a 4-1 win over Singapore’s Hougang United which confirmed them as Group H winners, is keen to emulate what fellow Malaysian sides Kuala Lumpur City FC and Johor Darul Ta’zim did previously in the competition.
 
Kuala Lumpur reached the AFC Cup final in 2022 while JDT went all the way, lifting the prestigious trophy in 2015.

Official mascots unveiled for AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™

Mon, 04 Dec, 2023

Official mascots unveiled for AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™

Doha: A familiar quintet of charming and adorable jerboas were announced as the official mascots of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ today at a special launch ceremony. 

The family of five desert rodents are no strangers to the AFC Asian Cup™, as they had made their debut when Qatar last hosted the flagship competition in 2011. Now, Saboog, Tmbki, Freha, Zkriti and Traeneh are back to take the spotlight in the 18th edition of the showpiece.

Uzbekistan set to challenge

Fri, 01 Dec, 2023

Uzbekistan set to challenge

Kuala Lumpur: Uzbekistan will not be lacking in confidence at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™. 

The Central Asian are perennial qualifiers for the continental showpiece and will feel that Qatar 2023 is their best opportunity to lift the coveted title.