West Asia Domestic Wrap: Al Nassr widen gap, Sharjah suffer first defeat

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

West Asia Domestic Wrap: Al Nassr widen gap, Sharjah suffer first defeat

Beirut: Saudi Pro League defending champions Al Nassr widened the gap at the top of the standings while Sharjah suffered their first defeat of the season in the UAE Pro League, losing top spot to Shabab Al-Ahli.

Teshrin continue to lead the Syria Premier League while Palestine league pacesetters Markaz Balatah dropped two points but remain on top. Join the-AFC.com as we review West Asia’s domestic action in the week gone by.

ASEAN Domestic Wrap: Sydney FC go nine points clear

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

ASEAN Domestic Wrap: Sydney FC go nine points clear

Kuala Lumpur: In a battle between the top two of the A-League it was Steve Corica's Sky Blues that edged out Melbourne City on Sunday.

While the rest of the ASEAN Zone is now into the off-season, the Australia domestic league saw a full set of fixtures and intriguing action over the weekend that included a clash between the teams in first and second.

Transfer watch: All of Asia's moves

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Transfer watch: All of Asia's moves

Kuala Lumpur: With the transfer window open, teams are either bolstering their ranks ahead of new seasons kicking off or are adding reinforcements to their squads. 

The-AFC.com highlights the ins and outs across the Continent.

Host cities for AFC Asian Cup China 2023 confirmed

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Host cities for AFC Asian Cup China 2023 confirmed

Kuala Lumpur: The 10 host cities for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 have today been  announced by the Chinese Football Association (CFA). The cities include the People’s Republic of China capital, Beijing as well as Tianjin, Shanghai, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Dalian, Qingdao, Xiamen and Suzhou.

The full details will be reported to the Organising Committee of the Asian Cup (OCAC) – at its next meeting in 2020 which will also discuss the overarching vision, key milestones and timelines of Asian football’s most prestigious tournament.

VAR set for historic full debut at Thailand 2020

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

VAR set for historic full debut at Thailand 2020

Kuala Lumpur: Asian football will reach another historic milestone with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system making its full tournament debut at the upcoming AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020, which is scheduled to take place across three cities – Bangkok, Buriram and Songkhla – between January 8 to 26, 2020.

Having made its successful debut from the quarter-final stage of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 in January, the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 will be the first AFC competition to implement the VAR system in all 32 matches.

UAE appoint Ivan Jovanović as head coach

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

UAE appoint Ivan Jovanović as head coach

Dubai: UAE Football Association (UAE FA) announced the appointment of Ivan Jovanović as national team head coach on Sunday.

The Serbian replaces Bert van Marwijk, who was removed three weeks ago following UAE’s exit from the 2019 Gulf Cup.

Jovanović’s main task will be to steer UAE in the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

UAE, currently in fourth place, will take on Malaysia at home on March 26 in Group H before playing Indonesia away five days later. They will conclude their campaign against Thailand and Vietnam in June.

Al Hilal denied third-place finish by Monterrey

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Hilal denied third-place finish by Monterrey

Doha: Al Hilal SFC were denied a third place finish in the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 by Mexico’s Monterrey who triumphed 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday.

Monterrey goalkeeper Luis Cardenas was the hero in the shootout as he saved Carlos Eduardo and Mohamed Kanno's efforts before scoring the decisive penalty.

Al Hilal took the lead in the 35th minute through Eduardo but Monterrey scored two quick goals in the second period through Arturo Gonzalez and Maximiliano Meza, only for Bafetimbi Gomis to draw the 2019 AFC Champions League winners level and force the tie to penalties.