Second half blitz powers Australia past Czech Republic

Thu, 16 Feb, 2023

Second half blitz powers Australia past Czech Republic

Gosford: Manchester City striker Hayley Raso scored twice as Australia beat the Czech Republic 4-0 Thursday to bank a fifth consecutive win as they ramp up preparations for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 on home soil this year.

All the goals came in the second half at Gosford, north of Sydney, with Chelsea star Sam Kerr bagging a 62nd for her country and veteran Clare Polkinghorne grabbing the fourth to celebrate becoming Australia's most-capped player in her 152nd match.
 
Spain earlier kick-started the four-team Cup of Nations by beating Jamaica 3-0 in the same stadium to remain undefeated in five games.

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Preview – Thailand and Chinese Taipei seek berths

Thu, 16 Feb, 2023

Preview – Thailand and Chinese Taipei seek berths

Kuala Lumpur: The final three spots at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 will be up for grabs in the coming days with the Inter-Confederation playoffs kicking off in New Zealand on Saturday. 

Among the 10 teams in contention across the three groups are Thailand and Chinese Taipei with the former aiming to progress to the global showpiece for the third time in a row and the latter looking to qualify for the first time since being part of the maiden edition in 1991.
 
With co-hosts Australia, China PR, Japan, Korea Republic and Vietnam having already secured their places, should either Thailand or Chinese Taipei join them, there would be a record number of teams from the Asian continent in the tournament.  
 
Ahead of the final round of qualification, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on the two Asian nations vying for glory. 

Five impressive ACL West debutants

Thu, 16 Feb, 2023

Five impressive ACL West debutants

Dubai: Amongst the eight teams contesting the AFC Champions League™ 2022 round of 16 (West), Saudi Arabia’s Al Faisaly stand out in more than one way. The only second division club amongst them, they are also the only debutants remaining in the competition.

Over the past two decades of AFC Champions League history, no upset trumps Western Sydney Wanderers lifting the trophy in 2014 on their debut, while in the West, Al Ittihad won the 2004 edition on their debut, albeit so early in the competition’s history that most teams were making their first appearance.
 
Later in the competition's history, it needed something special for a team from outside the established elite to make a deep run on their debut. In celebration of Al Faisaly’s unlikely success this term, the-AFC.com remembers five impressive debutants.

J1 League 2023 – Season Preview

Thu, 16 Feb, 2023

J1 League 2023 – Season Preview

Tokyo: The 2023 J1 League campaign is set to kick off on Friday as defending champions Yokohama F. Marinos travel to their biggest rivals in recent years, Kawasaki Frontale. 

The Marinos won the 2022 edition after finishing two points ahead of Kawasaki, while between them they have picked up the past six titles dating back to 2017. 
 
As the new season approaches, the pair remain among the favourites, but plenty of other teams will hope to mount a serious challenge to become champions of Japan. 

Five memorable Al Hilal vs Shabab Al Ahli clashes

Wed, 15 Feb, 2023

Five memorable Al Hilal vs Shabab Al Ahli clashes

Dubai: Two AFC Champions League™ perennials in Al Hilal SFC and Shabab Al Ahli Dubai face-off in the Round of 16 of the 2022 edition, bringing to memory a history of classics over the years.

Ahead of their upcoming encounter in Qatar, the-AFC.com relives five of the most memorable matches between the two powerhouses who have faced each other as many as 10 times since 2009.

Saudi Arabia to host 2023 FIFA Club World Cup

Wed, 15 Feb, 2023

Saudi Arabia to host 2023 FIFA Club World Cup

Paris: Saudi Arabia will host the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup, FIFA said on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal SFC reached the final of the 2022 edition in Morocco last week, losing 5-3 to European champions Real Madrid.
 
The seven-team event will take place on December 12-22.