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.

Japan go top as Myanmar also surge

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Japan go top as Myanmar also surge

Kuala Lumpur: Japan became Asia’s top ranked team at 28 after Islamic Republic of Iran dropped six spots, in the latest FIFA World Ranking which was released on Thursday.

IR Iran dropped to second at 33 following their recent defeat to Iraq in the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Japan - who are unbeaten in the Asian Qualifiers - maintained their World Ranking at 28.

Quang Hai: ‘Rainbow in the Snow’ is the symbol of Vietnamese spirit

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Quang Hai: ‘Rainbow in the Snow’ is the symbol of Vietnamese spirit

Hanoi: As the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 rapidly approaches, one of the stars of the 2018 edition has recalled one of the most iconic moments in the tournament’s history. 

At a snow-clad Changzhou Olympic Sports Centre, Nguyen Quang Hai curled home a stunning free-kick to draw Vietnam level with Uzbekistan in the final with what would later become renowned in the Southeast Asian nation as the ‘Rainbow in the Snow’.

While the young Golden Stars went on to lose the match 2-1 after a goal in the last minute of extra-time, the campaign saw both Quang Hai and a talented young Vietnamese team gain recognition across the Continent and began a two-year period in which they have achieved success after success.

Now, with the 2020 edition set to kick off in Thailand on January 6, Park Hang-seo’s team will begin the competition among the favourites to lift the title and also qualify for the Tokyo Olympics as one of the top three sides.

Shin Tae-yong to chart Indonesia's fortunes

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Shin Tae-yong to chart Indonesia's fortunes

Jakarta: The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) officially unveiled Shin Tae-yong as the men's national team head coach on Saturday.

Former Korea Republic head coach Shin, who replaces Simon McMenemy of Scotland, signed a four-year contract.

PSSI President Police Commissioner General Dr H. Mochamad Iriawan said Shin's experience was a key factor in Indonesia's decision to hire him as the head coach.

Nishino wants Thailand to rise to the challenge

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Nishino wants Thailand to rise to the challenge

Bangkok: Akira Nishino knows what it takes to deliver when the pressure is on, but as he prepares to lead hosts Thailand into the AFC U23 Championship 2020, the former Japan head coach is under no illusions over the size of the task facing him and his players.

The 64-year-old has one of the most illustrious resumes in Asian football, having broken his home nation’s Olympic qualification drought in 1996, won the AFC Champions League with Gamba Osaka in 2008 and led the Samurai Blue to the knockout rounds at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Now, six months after being appointed head coach of Thailand’s U23 and senior national sides, Nishino enters the Finals of his first continental competition leading his new charges knowing the odds are stacked against him.