Six-star Al Hilal impress in Neymar's debut

Sat, 16 Sep, 2023

Six-star Al Hilal impress in Neymar's debut

Riyadh: Brazilian Neymar made his debut as Al Hilal SFC moved back to the top of the 2023/24 Saudi Pro League standings with a 6-1 win over Al Riyadh on Friday.

Neymar did not score but the win took Al Hilal, who will kick off their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 campaign on Monday, to 16 points from six matches.

Asia’s best gear up for #ACL 2023/24 as final edition of flagship set to kick off

Mon, 11 Sep, 2023

Asia’s best gear up for #ACL 2023/24 as final edition of flagship set to kick off

Kuala Lumpur: The cream of Asia’s crop will begin their quest to scale the Continent’s peak next week when the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group Stage gets underway for one last time before the 2024/25 season’s eagerly anticipated unveiling of a new portfolio of competitions. 

The 21st and final edition of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s flagship club competition will run from September 2023 to May 2024, with 40 participating clubs – divided into 10 groups during last month’s draw – from 21 Member Associations. 

Ventforet legend Yamamoto ready to cherish AFC Champions League™ experience

Wed, 13 Sep, 2023

Ventforet legend Yamamoto ready to cherish AFC Champions League™ experience

Yamanashi: At the age of 43, most players have long since hung up their boots, but for Ventforet Kofu’s Hideomi Yamamoto, the story couldn’t be much different as he gets set to embark on his – and his club’s – maiden AFC Champions League™ campaign and to continue what has been a remarkable run over the past year and a half. 

The J2 League side created history last year when they overcame five J1 League sides, culminating in a penalty shootout victory over Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the final, to lift the 2022 Emperor’s Cup. 

Mugosa looking to write new chapter in Incheon history

Thu, 14 Sep, 2023

Mugosa looking to write new chapter in Incheon history

Incheon: In football, the age-old adage 'Never go back' often rings true. It serves as a cautionary tale for players and managers who retrace their steps to former clubs as recreating the magic of the past could often prove elusive the second time around. But Stefan Mugosa is trying to buck the trend at Incheon United. 

Following a year-long stint with Vissel Kobe in Japan, the Montenegro international sealed a return to Incheon in July. He is now back in the city where his Asian football journey began five years ago, at the club where he is considered a legend, and hoping to help them leave a mark during their debut AFC Champions League™ campaign.

Benzema magic takes Al Ittihad top, Ighalo grabs hat-trick

Fri, 15 Sep, 2023

Benzema magic takes Al Ittihad top, Ighalo grabs hat-trick

Najran: The Saudi Pro League returned to action as Al Ittihad claimed their fifth win of the 2023/24 season thanks to Karim Benzema’s eye-catching goal in a 1-0 win over Al Akhdoud on Thursday.

The goal takes Benzema’s tally in his maiden season in Saudi Arabia to three from six matches.

Asia's representatives learn Indonesia 2023 opponents

Fri, 15 Sep, 2023

Asia's representatives learn Indonesia 2023 opponents

Zurich: Asia's five representatives discovered their FIFA U17 World Cup Indonesia 2023 opponents following the draw in Zurich on Friday.

The continent will be represented by AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 champions Japan, runners-up Korea Republic, semi-finalists Islamic Republic of Iran and Uzbekistan, with hosts Indonesia making it five Asian teams in the November 10-December 2 tournament.

Cooney-Cross joins Arsenal as Zhang signs for Tottenham

Fri, 15 Sep, 2023

Cooney-Cross joins Arsenal as Zhang signs for Tottenham

London: Australia midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross has joined FA Women’s Super League side Arsenal from Sweden’s Hammarby IF in a transfer deadline day move as China PR’s Zhang Linyan completed a one-year loan move to Tottenham Hotspur from Wuhan Jianghan University.

Cooney-Cross, who played all seven of the Matildas’ games in their run to the semi-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, becomes the third Australian to sign for Arsenal, joining compatriots Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord.

History beckons for AFC Cup™ 2023/24 contenders as final edition of popular competition kicks off

Fri, 22 Sep, 2023

History beckons for AFC Cup™ 2023/24 contenders as final edition of popular competition kicks off

Kuala Lumpur: Thirty-six teams will go head to head in a bid to assert regional dominance when the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Group Stage kicks off for one last time on September 18. 

The 19th and final edition of the AFC Cup™ will see the teams from the Confederation’s five zones play a total of 123 matches before the ultimate champions are crowned in the one-legged Final on May 5, 2024, bringing down the curtains on one of the AFC’s most popular club competitions, characterised by memorable matches and breathtaking action. 

Tadanari Lee to bring down curtain on glittering career

Fri, 15 Sep, 2023

Tadanari Lee to bring down curtain on glittering career

Singapore: Japan’s AFC Asian Cup winner Tadanari Lee has announced he will retire at the end of the season, more than 12 years after scoring the only goal in the final of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™.

Lee, who is currently playing for Albirex Niigata Singapore, struck in extra time in the decider in Doha’s Khalifa International Stadium as the Samurai Blue defeated Australia to win the AFC Asian Cup for a record fourth time.