Asia’s daily football news brief

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asia’s daily football news brief

Kuala Lumpur: Asian football never sleeps, and we’ve gathered the latest news and updates in one place.

In our Monday round-up, Uzbekistan’s Eldor Shomurodov heads to Serie A, the latest league action from East Asia and ASEAN, and your chance to have a final say on the AFC Champions League West Zone semi-final between Persepolis and Al Nassr.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/eldor_shomurodov_-preliminary_joint_qualification_2022_-_uzbekistan_vs_saudi_arabia.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/shan_united_4.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/kawasaki_frontale.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/australia-olympic_qualifiers-ffa.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/mohamed_bashir_al_mazmi-uae-beach_soccer_3.html

Analysis: Resilient Persepolis find a way through again in AFC Champions League

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Analysis: Resilient Persepolis find a way through again in AFC Champions League

Doha: Ten-man Persepolis FC advanced to the AFC Champions League final for the second time in three years after overcoming Al Nassr on penalties following a hard-fought 1-1 draw in Saturday's semi-final at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. 

The 2018 runners-up Persepolis went into the tie on the back of a string of resolute performances while Al Nassr, competing in the semi-final for the first time, were looking to become the second successive Riyadh side to reach the final.

After going a goal down to Abderrazak Hamdallah's first-half penalty Persepolis got back into the game just minutes later and then, despite going down to 10 men in extra time, held on for penalties before keeping their nerve from 12 yards to progress.

Skocic names IR Iran squad for Uzbekistan, Mali friendlies

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Skocic names IR Iran squad for Uzbekistan, Mali friendlies

Tehran: National team head coach Dragan Skocic has named a 23-man squad for Islamic Republic of Iran's friendlies against Uzbekistan and Mali.

Iran will play the friendly matches against Uzbekistan and Mali as part of their preparations for the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Team Melli will play Uzbekistan on Thursday in Tashkent and Mali in Antalya, Turkey five days later.

Qatar champions Al Duhail part ways with Regragui

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Qatar champions Al Duhail part ways with Regragui

Doha: Reigning Qatar Stars League champions Al Duhail SC announced on Saturday that they have parted ways with head coach Walid Regragui.

The club announced on their official Twitter account that they have agreed with the 45-year-old Redragui to terminate his contract, with the Moroccan having replaced Portuguese Rui Faria as head coach nine months ago.

Strong Qatar squad named for friendly against Ghana

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Strong Qatar squad named for friendly against Ghana

Doha: Head coach Felix Sanchez has named a 25-player Qatar squad for an international friendly against Ghana on October 12.

The match, to be played in Antalya, Turkey, will see a strong Qatar squad with Sanchez having named most of players who have featured for him in recent times.

Moriyasu calls up Okazaki for Japan friendlies

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Moriyasu calls up Okazaki for Japan friendlies

Tokyo: Veteran striker Shinji Okazaki has been recalled for Japan’s friendly matches against Cameroon and Ivory Coast next week as head coach Hajime Moriyasu named a Europe-based 23-man squad for the games in the Netherlands.

Okazaki, who plays for Spanish side Huesca, last featured for Japan at the Copa America in June last year and has been named alongside Yuya Osako and Musashi Suzuki as the squad’s three striking options for the matches, which will be played in Utrecht.

AFC rebrands age group championships to AFC Asian Cups

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC rebrands age group championships to AFC Asian Cups

Kuala Lumpur: The growing reputation and prestige of the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) competitions have been reflected by a revamping and rebranding of the AFC age group championships to become AFC Asian Cups from 2021.

At the same time the AFC Futsal Championship, AFC Women’s Futsal Championship, AFC U-20 Futsal Championship and AFC Beach Soccer Championship will also become AFC Asian Cups after the AFC Executive Committee ratified a recent decision by the AFC Marketing Committee.

Dato’ Windsor John, the AFC General Secretary, said: “We believe the change reflects the new stature of the competitions and by further strengthening the brand and commercial value of our competitions, there will be significant benefits for the AFC and its Member Associations.