Tajikistan U-19s defeat seniors in Dushanbe friendly

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tajikistan U-19s defeat seniors in Dushanbe friendly

Dushanbe: Tajikistan’s future stars struck a blow against their elder statesmen, as the country’s U-19 side defeated members of the senior national team 2-0 in a friendly match in the nation’s capital on Saturday.

Mubin Ergashev’s U-19 national team prevailed thanks to goals from 18-year-olds Amadoni Kamolov and Sunatullo Ismoilov, while senior captain Akhtam Nazarov missed a second half penalty kick.

The match was played to help the teams prepare for their respective international competitions later in the year, with the senior national team to resume their Asian Qualifiers campaign, while the youngsters will compete in the AFC U-19 Championship in Uzbekistan.

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Double delight for Azmoun, Zenit

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Double delight for Azmoun, Zenit

Yekaterinburg: Sardar Azmoun's Zenit Saint Petersburg defeated Khimki 1-0 to win the Russian Cup final to add to the league title sealed earlier this month.

Artem Dzyuba scored an 84th-minute penalty to see off second-division side Khimki as Zenit completed the league and cup double for the first time since 2010.

Marmar joins Kuwait’s Al Arabi

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Marmar joins Kuwait’s Al Arabi

Kuwait City: Kuwait Premier League outfit Al Arabi have announced they have agreed terms with 2019 AFC Cup winning coach Bassem Marmar to lead the team.

Marmar, who steered Al Ahed to the AFC Cup title last year, replaces Serbian head coach Miodrag Ješić and takes charge ahead of the league’s resumption on August 11.

Gomis extends stay at Al Hilal

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Gomis extends stay at Al Hilal

Riyadh: 2019 AFC Champions League winners Al Hilal have announced that they have extended the contract of French forward Bafétimbi Gomis for two more years.

The 34-year-old striker had been influential in Al Hilal's 2019 AFC Champions League title victory, winning the MOst Valuable Player and Top Scorer awards with 11 goals.

When legends return: Eight favourite sons who came home and conquered

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

When legends return: Eight favourite sons who came home and conquered

Kuala Lumpur: The return of the prodigal son. It is a footballing plot point nearly as old as the game itself, with the reappearance of a long-departed local hero possessing a special ability to stir the passions of even the most jaded of fans.

Asia has had no shortage of these storylines, with a range of pioneering football exports and national team icons going back to where it all started to cap off their careers.

To coincide with FC Seoul’s signing of former Korea Republic captain Ki Sung-yueng, the-AFC.com looks at eight local heroes who returned, and thrived, after years abroad.

Sydney FC clinch Premiers Plate as Phoenix are denied by Adelaide

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Sydney FC clinch Premiers Plate as Phoenix are denied by Adelaide

Sydney: Sydney FC were confirmed as A-League Premiers after their closest challengers Wellington Phoenix drew 1-1 against a revitalised Adelaide United on Saturday.

Wellington now trail the runaway leaders by 11 points with only three games left to play after substitute Ulises Davila saw his 88th-minute penalty saved by in-form Reds gloveman Paul Izzo at Bankwest Stadium.

Jaushua Sotirio levelled five minutes after Kristian Opseth had put Adelaide ahead on the hour mark and, although the draw lifts Phoenix ahead of Melbourne City into second place, the Sky Blues cannot be caught in the race for the Premiers Plate.

Mazloumi appointed IR Iran U-19 boss

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Mazloumi appointed IR Iran U-19 boss

Tehran: Former Esteghlal head coach Parviz Mazloumi will lead Islamic Republic of Iran at October’s AFC U-19 Championship in Uzbekistan, after being appointed as the team’s head coach.

Team Melli Javanan will face host nation Uzbekistan, as well as Indonesia and Cambodia in Group A of the continental tournament.

Mazloumi – who returns following a four-year absence from top-level coaching - replaces former head coach Sirous Pourmousavi, who stepped down from the role in June.