Preview – Semi-final, 1st Leg: Malaysia v Thailand

Fri, 06 Jan, 2023

Preview – Semi-final, 1st Leg: Malaysia v Thailand

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia will host defending champions Thailand in the first leg of the 2022 AFF Cup semi-finals at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Saturday as the two sides look to book a place in the final of ASEAN’s showpiece tournament. 

Malaysia’s only triumph in the regional competition came in 2010, but they have since reached the final twice, in 2014 and 2018. However, after a group stage exit last time around, the Harimau Malaya are eyeing another shot at the title in the 2022 edition. 
 
After beating Indonesia 6–2 on aggregate in the last edition’s final to lift a record-extending sixth AFF Cup title, Thailand, meanwhile, are looking to continue their dominance of Southeast Asian football. 

Preview - Semi-final, 1st Leg: Indonesia v Vietnam

Thu, 05 Jan, 2023

Preview - Semi-final, 1st Leg: Indonesia v Vietnam

Kuala Lumpur: Indonesia and Vietnam will face off in the first leg of the 2022 AFF Cup semi-finals at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Friday as ASEAN's most prestigious tournament enters the knockout rounds.

Six-time runners-up Indonesia have yet to win the regional competition and were beaten in last year's final by Thailand as once again the Garuda came so close but yet so far. 
 
Vietnam, meanwhile, won the AFF Cup for the second time in 2018 but were eliminated in last year's semi-finals, with the 2022 edition also set to mark the end of Korean tactician Park Hang-seo's successful five-and-a-half years at the helm.

Preview - 25th Gulf Cup

Tue, 03 Jan, 2023

Preview - 25th Gulf Cup

Basra: Eight west Asian nations get their 2023 underway by competing at the 25th Gulf Cup, taking place in Iraq for the first time since 1979, with the hosts facing Oman in the opening match on Friday.

The pair are joined by Saudi Arabia and Yemen in Group A, while Group B sees reigning Gulf Cup champions Bahrain compete alongside Asian champions Qatar, record Gulf Cup winners Kuwait and the UAE, with the top two sides from each group advancing to the semi-finals.

When Global Stars Arrive In Asia

Tue, 03 Jan, 2023

When Global Stars Arrive In Asia

Kuala Lumpur: Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr has created waves across world football, with the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus attacker signing a contract until 2025 with the Riyadh giants as the Saudi Pro League continues to go from strength to strength. 

While Saudi Arabia has attracted numerous top-class talents to its shores in recent years, the arrival of Ronaldo marks another significant step forward for the ambitious league, where Brazil’s 1970 FIFA World Cup winner Rivellino with Al Hilal SFC and Bulgarian legend Hristo Stoichkov, who was briefly at Al Nassr, are among the other greats to have played in the Gulf nation. 
 
As football fans across the globe turn their focus to Saudi Arabia to see how the five-time Ballon d’Or winner fares in his new club’s colours, join the-AFC.com as we look at some of the biggest names to have graced Asian football over the years. 

Ronaldo promises to break more records at Al Nassr

Wed, 04 Jan, 2023

Ronaldo promises to break more records at Al Nassr

Riyadh: Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was greeted by thousands of adoring fans at his official unveiling as an Al Nassr player on Tuesday. 

The 37-year-old, who won the Ballon d'Or five times and whose great rivalry with Lionel Messi dominated world football for well over a decade, was paraded at his new club's King Saud University Stadium after jetting in late on Monday.

Schrock calls time on Azkals career

Tue, 03 Jan, 2023

Schrock calls time on Azkals career

Manila: Stephan Schrock’s international career came to an end as the Philippines bowed out of the 2022 AFF Cup with a 2-1 defeat to Indonesia in their Group A fixture on Monday.

Goals by Dendy Sulistyawan and Marselino Ferdinan Philipus proved to be enough for Indonesia to clinch a spot in the semi-finals and spoil Schrock’s party at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Philippines finished fourth in the standings.

Mabil moves to Czech Republic’s Sparta Prague

Thu, 05 Jan, 2023

Mabil moves to Czech Republic’s Sparta Prague

Prague: Australia international Awer Mabil has joined Czech Republic’s Sparta Prague on loan from La Liga side Cadiz.

The 27-year-old winger made two appearances for the Socceroos in their recent FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 campaign, coming on as a substitute in their Group D matches against France and Tunisia.