Ronaldo's double not enough to stop PSG

Fri, 20 Jan, 2023

Ronaldo's double not enough to stop PSG

Riyadh: Cristiano Ronaldo recovered from a punch in the face to score twice for Riyadh All Stars XI against Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday in a lively reunion with his great rival Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo, 37, was decked by PSG 'keeper Keylor Navas's flailing fist but he drilled the resulting penalty and then added another in a 5-4 defeat, his first appearance since moving to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr. 
 
For PSG, Messi and Kylian Mbappe both scored and Neymar missed a penalty before they withdrew on the hour-mark alongside Ronaldo, who was representing a composite Saudi side.

Iraq edge Oman to lift title

Fri, 20 Jan, 2023

Iraq edge Oman to lift title

Basra: Iraq won the 25th Gulf Cup title on home soil after defeating Oman 3-2 after extra time in a thrilling final at the Basra International Stadium on Thursday.

The Lions of Mesopotamia made it four titles in the regional competition, their first since 1988 to move clear of Qatar and Saudi Arabia as the second most successful side in the competition’s history behind Kuwait.

One Month to #ACL2022 (West) Round of 16 - How Are They Shaping Up

Thu, 19 Jan, 2023

One Month to #ACL2022 (West) Round of 16 - How Are They Shaping Up

Dubai: The long wait is nearly over with exactly one month left until the start of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 Round of 16 (West) where eight teams will battle out for the right to play Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in the final.

Despite playing in the second tier domestically, Al Faisaly join fellow Saudi clubs Al Hilal SFC and Al Shabab as well as Qatari duo Al Duhail and Al Rayyan, UAE’s Shabab Al Ahli, Islamic Republic of Iran’s Foolad Khouzestan and 2021 AFC Cup™ runners-up FC Nasaf of Uzbekistan.
 
Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how the teams are shaping up for the Round of 16 scheduled for February 19-20 in Doha, Qatar.

Draw sets up exciting Thailand 2023 group stage

Thu, 19 Jan, 2023

Draw sets up exciting Thailand 2023 group stage

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 group stage is set to be a thrilling affair following the draw at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) House in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

The action promises to be spectacular as besides regional glory, the top three teams will qualify for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2023.

Blayney set to test new contingent of Young Matildas

Thu, 19 Jan, 2023

Blayney set to test new contingent of Young Matildas

Melbourne: Australia head coach Leah Blayney will assemble her best talents for a 10-day training camp as part of their preparations for the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2024™ Qualifiers.

Blayney will call 28 players for the Werribee camp in Melbourne, which will take place on February 13-22.  

Japan's Iwabuchi joins Spurs on loan

Thu, 19 Jan, 2023

Japan's Iwabuchi joins Spurs on loan

London: Japan international Mana Iwabuchi has signed for Tottenham Hotspur Women on loan from Arsenal for the remainder of the season.

A FIFA Women's World Cup winner in 2011, the midfielder will wear the number 20 shirt.

Qatar 2022 disappointment fuelling Mitoma's improvement

Wed, 18 Jan, 2023

Qatar 2022 disappointment fuelling Mitoma's improvement

Brighton and Hove: Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma is establishing himself as one of Asian football’s leading exports to Europe with a standout season in the English Premier League with Brighton & Hove Albion. 

In the aftermath of Japan’s penalty shootout exit from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Mitoma has been true to his word.
 
The Brighton & Hove Albion winger was left heartbroken when his spotkick was saved by goalkeeper Dominic Livakovic as Croatia ended the Samurai Blue’s dreams of a first-ever quarter-final appearance.