Sanchez seeks improvement after Gold Cup stalemate with Panama

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Sanchez seeks improvement after Gold Cup stalemate with Panama

Houston: Head coach Felix Sanchez says there is room for improvement following Qatar’s 3-3 draw against Panama in Group D of the 2021 Gold Cup at the BBVA Stadium on Tuesday.

Qatar, who are participating in the tournament on an invitation basis, led three times but were unable to stop the Panamanians from fighting back, eventually settling for a point.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/mohammed_muntari_-_qatar_-_panama_-_2021_gold_cup_-_afp.html

Gold Cup: Qatar denied opening win by Panama

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Gold Cup: Qatar denied opening win by Panama

Houston: Qatar and Panama played to a thrilling 3-3 draw in Group D of the 2021 Gold Cup at the BBVA Stadium in Houston on Tuesday.

Playing in the tournament as an invited team, Qatar were denied an opening win by a Panama side who came from behind three times to force the draw in a match where the kickoff had to be delayed by almost two hours due to severe weather warning.

2021 AFC Champions League (East) Group Stage: What They Said

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2021 AFC Champions League (East) Group Stage: What They Said

Kuala Lumpur: With the 2021 AFC Champions League (East) group stage having drawn to a close on July 11, we look back at some of the best quotes from the six rounds of matches.

Goalscoring records, unprecedented winning runs, maiden victories and impressive qualification feats all feature as the-AFC.com reviews our What They Said series from the few weeks of action.

2021 AFC Champions League (East): The Stats Leaders

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2021 AFC Champions League (East): The Stats Leaders

Kuala Lumpur: With the first stage of the 2021 AFC Champions League (East) concluded, the-AFC.com takes a closer look at the numbers that caught the eye following the six rounds of group stage fixtures.

From high-scoring forwards to those that create the goals and win the ball back, we shine the spotlight on the players whose statistics stood out as the continental competition got underway in East Asia.

Tokyo Olympics – Preview: Youthful China PR aim to spring major surprise

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics – Preview: Youthful China PR aim to spring major surprise

Tokyo: Every one of the 11,000 athletes converging on Japan for these most unique of Olympic Games will have overcome some form of adversity, but few will have travelled a road to Tokyo as challenging as the one navigated by the Chinese women’s national team.

In the second of our pre-Olympic previews, join the-AFC.com as we run the rule over Jia Xiuquan’s side who, having performed minor miracles to reach Tokyo 2020, will be determined to challenge a pair of heavyweights in Group G.

Tokyo Olympics - Preview: Australia's new era faces first major test under Gustavsson

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics - Preview: Australia's new era faces first major test under Gustavsson

Tokyo: A year later than planned, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics are finally within sight, with seven Asian football teams chasing gold across the men’s and women’s competitions.

Before the football action begins on July 21, the-AFC.com is here to tell all you need to know about the continent’s contenders, including their road to Tokyo, their star players and what to expect from their opponents.

The first team in our series is Asia’s highest ranked women’s national team, and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosts, Australia, who will be eager to begin a new era in style under head coach Tony Gustavsson.

Nadeshiko edge Matildas in final pre-Olympic hit-out

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Nadeshiko edge Matildas in final pre-Olympic hit-out

Kyoto: Japan will kick-off their Tokyo 2020 women’s football campaign with their winning streak intact after the Asian champions defeated Australia 1-0 in each side’s final pre-tournament hit-out on Wednesday.

Mana Iwabuchi’s 54th-minute penalty kick separated the two sides, who will begin their respective Olympic campaigns next Wednesday.

The result stretches Japan’s winning streak to five ahead their opening Olympic clash against Canada, while Australia will begin their campaign against New Zealand having failed to win any of their five matches under new boss Tony Gustavsson.