Final - Preview: Kuwait vs India

Mon, 03 Jul, 2023

Final - Preview: Kuwait vs India

Bengaluru: Defending champions India will be aiming to lift a record-extending ninth SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) Championship title when they lock horns with Kuwait in the final at Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Tuesday.

The Blue Tigers are targeting back-to-back titles for the first time since 2011 while Kuwait, playing in the competition on an invitational basis, have reached the showpiece event in what's been an impressive debut campaign.
 
With the grand finale now just a day away, the-AFC.com takes a closer look at the two teams.

Kerr spearheads experienced Australia squad

Mon, 03 Jul, 2023

Kerr spearheads experienced Australia squad

Sydney: Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson has selected Lydia Williams and Clare Polkinghorne as well as injured duo Kyah Simon and Alanna Kennedy in his 23-player squad for the Matildas’ co-hosting of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 later this month.

Williams and Polkinghorne have become the first Australian players – male or female – to be selected for a fifth FIFA World Cup while Chelsea striker Sam Kerr will captain the team at what will be her fourth Finals.

Moriyama credits Nawata’s heroics for title win

Mon, 03 Jul, 2023

Moriyama credits Nawata’s heroics for title win

Pathum Thani: Head coach Yoshiro Moriyama said Gaku Nawata’s two goals were the defining moments in their AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 final triumph against Korea Republic on Sunday.

Nawata struck his first with a sublime free-kick just after Korea Republic had been reduced to 10 players while his second ended whatever hopes their East Asian rivals had of a comeback, with the player going on to scoop the Most Valuable Player and Cremo Top Goalscorer Awards.  Yutaka Michiwaki netted the third in added time.
 
The triumph meant Moriyama added the AFC U17 Asian Cup title to the AFC U-16 Championship crown he guided Japan to in 2018. 

We will bounce back, promises Byun

Mon, 03 Jul, 2023

We will bounce back, promises Byun

Pathum Thani: Byun Sung-hwan quickly shifted his attention towards the future after his Korea Republic side suffered a 3-0 defeat to Japan in the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 final on Sunday.

It was a heartbreaking defeat for Korea Republic, who had held their own until Ko Jong-hyun was sent off just before the break after receiving a second yellow card.
 
Japan scored from the subsequent free-kick and as Korea Republic pushed forward in the second half, their East Asian rivals took advantage to score an emphatic win at the Pathum Thani Stadium.

Qatar upset Mexico to reach quarter-finals

Mon, 03 Jul, 2023

Qatar upset Mexico to reach quarter-finals

Santa Clara: Hazem Shehata’s first half strike secured Qatar a 1-0 win in their final Group B tie to advance to the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Sunday.

The victory sealed Qatar a second place finish, two points behind Mexico, who had already booked their spot in the last-eight. The West Asian side advanced at Honduras’ expense. 

Qatar, playing for the second time as a guest team in the tournament, survived a second half onslaught from Mexico to pull off a famous victory.

ASEAN Wrap: Young Elephants lift title; JDT advance to final

Mon, 03 Jul, 2023

ASEAN Wrap: Young Elephants lift title; JDT advance to final

Kuala Lumpur: Laos champions Young Elephants completed their league campaign without suffering a single defeat for the second time running as they beat second-placed Master 7 1-0 on Sunday, courtesy of a goal from Julian Bottaro. 

In Malaysia, Johor Darul Ta’zim will defend their FA Cup title against Kuala Lumpur City FC later this month after Arif Aiman Hanapi’s 18-minute hat-trick helped the Southern Tigers register a comprehensive 4-0 win over Selangor in the second semi-final last Monday. 
 
A new league season kicked off in Indonesia with Bali United suffering a 1-0 defeat at the hands of PSS Sleman on Saturday while matches also took place in Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar and Brunei Darussalam, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from across ASEAN. 

East Asia Wrap: Vissel held in Iniesta’s farewell; Ulsan exit FA Cup

Mon, 03 Jul, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Vissel held in Iniesta’s farewell; Ulsan exit FA Cup

Hong Kong: Spanish midfield maestro Andres Iniesta bid farewell to Japanese football with a first start of the season in Vissel Kobe’s 1-1 draw against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo on Saturday while leaders Yokohama F. Marinos who are in a rich vein of form have opened up a four-point advantage at the top. 

In Korea Republic, Ulsan Hyundai were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup by Jeju United on penalties on Wednesday while defending champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Pohang Steelers and Incheon United all progressed to complete the semi-final line-up. 

Shanghai Shenhua suffered a setback in their title challenge in China PR, FC Ulaanbaatar got their hands on a first league title in 12 years in Mongolia while matches also took place in Chinese Taipei and Macau, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from across East Asia.

Central & West Asia Wrap: Al Shorta close in on Iraq title

Mon, 03 Jul, 2023

Central & West Asia Wrap: Al Shorta close in on Iraq title

Basra: Al Shorta moved closer to retaining the Iraqi Premier League title as they widened their lead at the top of the standings to seven points.

In Uzbekistan, Navbahor took advantage of Pakhtakor dropping points to move back to the top of the summit.
 
There were also matches in Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, so join the-AFC.com as we review the latest round of domestic action in Central and West Asia.