Qatar denied victory as Costa Rica fight back for draw

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Qatar denied victory as Costa Rica fight back for draw

Maria Enzersdorf: AFC Asian Cup defending champions Qatar were held to a 1-1 draw by Costa Rica in a friendly match at BSFZ-Arena in Austria on Friday.

Qatar were playing only their second match of 2020 after losing 5-1 to Ghana in a friendly last month in preparation for the resumption of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Qatar, who are currently top of Group E of the Qualifiers with 13 points, will host Bangladesh on December 4 at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.

Minamino penalty steers Japan past Panama, Bangladesh defeat Nepal

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Minamino penalty steers Japan past Panama, Bangladesh defeat Nepal

Graz: Takumi Minamino’s second half penalty earned Japan a narrow 1-0 win over Panama at Graz’s Merkur Arena in Austria on Friday as Hajime Moriyasu’s side completed their third game in a row without conceding a goal.

Minamino slotted home in the 60th minute after picking himself up following a foul by Panama goalkeeper Luis Mejia to score the only goal of the game in a lacklustre performance by the Samurai Blue.

Bracket Challenge – Quarter-Final: Nguyen Quang Hai (Hanoi FC) vs Mehtab Hossain (East Bengal)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Bracket Challenge – Quarter-Final: Nguyen Quang Hai (Hanoi FC) vs Mehtab Hossain (East Bengal)

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Cup Bracket Challenge is back with two more fantastic goals as we ask you, the fans, to vote for your favourite goal from the Continental competition over the past 10 years. 

The next quarter-final pits ASEAN against South Asia with a delightful curling free-kick from Hanoi FC's Nguyen Quang Hai in 2019 taking on a lovely finish from East Bengal's Mehtab Hossain from 2013 as Vietnam and India go head to head.

Bracket Challenge – Quarter-Final: Safawi Rasid (JDT) vs Lam Ka Wai (Kitchee SC)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Bracket Challenge – Quarter-Final: Safawi Rasid (JDT) vs Lam Ka Wai (Kitchee SC)

Kuala Lumpur: As the AFC Cup Bracket Challenge draws ever closer to its conclusion, the-AFC.com presents you with another couple of stunning efforts from years gone by in the second quarter-final. 

For the second successive day, the last eight features a contest between Malaysia and Hong Kong as Safawi Rasid's piledriver for Johor Darul Ta'zim in 2018 goes up against lovely effort by Kitchee SC's Lam Ka Wai from 2014.

AFC Champions League (East): Forwards in form  

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Champions League (East): Forwards in form  

Doha: As the return of the AFC Champions League (East) fast approaches, we shine the spotlight on the in-form forwards who have the potential to fire their respective sides into the knockout rounds and further. 

The-AFC.com has selected six forwards who, in the absence of the AFC Champions League since early March, have starred for their teams in leagues across Asia and will go into the tournament's resumption full of confidence

AFC Champions League: Young stars set to rise

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Champions League: Young stars set to rise

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League is the perfect stage for a breakthrough performance for one of Asia's next generation and when the tournament resumes next week, there are several young guns who could be poised to seize their chance to impress.

With six countries represented in the East Zone section of the draw, the-AFC.com has picked out a youngster from each nation to look out for at the Continental competition in Qatar as football fans prepare for an exciting month of action.

AFC Champions League (East): 5 new signings who could shine

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Champions League (East): 5 new signings who could shine

Doha: With the resumption of the 2020 AFC Champions League (East) drawing ever closer, we profile five new faces who could shape their clubs' fortunes in Qatar this month.

With a lengthy break since the last Continental ties in the East were played on March 4, teams have refreshed and reinforced their squads during the eight-month hiatus.

Among them are former Premier League stars, FA Cup winners, legends looking for redemption and those who've previously had a taste of the AFC Champions League and have some unfinished business.