New boss, same winning feeling as Pakhtakor lift Uzbekistan Super Cup

Sun, 27 Feb, 2022

New boss, same winning feeling as Pakhtakor lift Uzbekistan Super Cup

Yaypan: FC Pakhtakor made a winning start to life under new boss Slavče Vojneski, retaining the Uzbekistan Super Cup with a 1-0 win against FC Nasaf in their first competitive match under the North Macedonian coach on Sunday.

While new beginnings were the theme of the afternoon, the winning goal came in the most familiar manner possible, with Dragan Ćeran’s 61st-minute header enough for the league winners to avenge December’s Uzbekistan Cup Final defeat to the same opponents. 

The result gives Pakhtakor a winning start to their 2022 fixture list, with the Uzbekistan Super League holders to begin their title defence away to Dinamo Samarkand on Thursday.

Jeonbuk experience drives Buriram’s Sasalak to greater heights

Sun, 27 Feb, 2022

Jeonbuk experience drives Buriram’s Sasalak to greater heights

Buriram: Silverware and an ambition to play at a higher level are the motivation for Sasalak Haiprakhon in the coming months as he chases titles with Buriram United in Thailand and a place in the 2022 AFC Champions League group stage on the continent.  

While a six-month loan spell at K League 1 giants Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors may not have gone to plan for Sasalak, he remains full of optimism now back at Buriram, where the domestic treble is among the more immediate targets.

AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round: One talking point from each group

Sat, 26 Feb, 2022

AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round: One talking point from each group

Kuala Lumpur: The remaining 24 teams now know exactly what is required to reach the AFC Asian Cup China 2023™,  and no there is no shortage of talking points following Thursday’s Qualifiers Final Round draw. 

Rivalries, old and new, will be rekindled, the cream of Asian football will rise when hopefuls representing the full length and breadth of Asia convene across six cities in June.

Looking ahead to the action in less than four months’ time, the-AFC.com has picked out one point of interest from each group, all of which are set to produce thrilling fixtures.

All about preparation for India’s Stimac, Hong Kong’s Andersen’s ahead of China 2023 Qualifiers Final Round

Fri, 25 Feb, 2022

All about preparation for India’s Stimac, Hong Kong’s Andersen’s ahead of China 2023 Qualifiers Final Round

Kuala Lumpur: The head coaches of India and Hong Kong are braced for a highly competitive  Group D of the AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round in June.

Igor Stimac’s India will host Group D, with Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Cambodia for company in the June 8-14 Qualifiers Final Round. 

Kim hopeful of ending Malaysia’s long wait for AFC Asian Cup™ appearance

Fri, 25 Feb, 2022

Kim hopeful of ending Malaysia’s long wait for AFC Asian Cup™ appearance

Kuala Lumpur: Head coach Kim Pan-gon believes Malaysia can end their 16-year wait to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup™ following the China 2023 Qualifiers Final Round draw on Thursday.

Malaysia last qualified on merit in the 1980 Kuwait edition, while in 2007, they featured as joint hosts alongside Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Kim’s side will host Group E and will kick off their qualifying campaign against Turkmenistan at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on June 8 before facing Bahrain on June 11 and Bangladesh three days later.

Singapore must give it their best shot, says skipper Hariss

Fri, 25 Feb, 2022

Singapore must give it their best shot, says skipper Hariss

Singapore: Skipper Hariss Harun has urged Singapore to rise to the occasion in June's AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round.

Thursday's draw in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia saw the Lions drawn in Group F alongside hosts Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Myanmar for the June Qualifiers. 

Vietnam edge Thailand for title

Sun, 27 Feb, 2022

Vietnam edge Thailand for title

Phnom Penh: Vietnam clinched the 2022 AFF U-23 Championship title after defeating Thailand 1-0 in the final at the Morodok Techo National Stadium on Saturday.

Tran Bao Toan scored Vietnam's winning goal as Thailand settled for a runners-up finish for the second time in a row.