Arnold springs surprises in 'exciting' Australian squad

Fri, 22 Dec, 2023

Arnold springs surprises in 'exciting' Australian squad

Sydney: Australia head coach Graham Arnold said he was "excited by the potential" of his players at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ after announcing a fresh-faced squad on Friday, with a host of veterans cast aside.

The 2015 champions will be among the favourites at the tournament - which kicks off on January 12 - after reaching the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

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Join the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Match Predictor now and stand to win exclusive prizes

Fri, 22 Dec, 2023

Join the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Match Predictor now and stand to win exclusive prizes

Kuala Lumpur: With just three weeks to go to Asia’s grandest ever showpiece, passionate fans from across the globe can now share their predictions for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ by playing the Match Predictor game on the-AFC.com or the AFC LIVE app for a chance to win exclusive prizes. 

The game allows fans to enter their predictions for all 51 AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ matches and change their predictions up until the kick-off of each match. For each prediction, fans will accumulate points based on how accurate their predictions are in terms of the outcome of the match and the first team to score (during the Knockout Stage).

Player to Watch: Salem Al Dawsari (Saudi Arabia)

Thu, 21 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Salem Al Dawsari (Saudi Arabia)

Kuala Lumpur: Saudi Arabia winger Salem Al Dawsari’s stunning strike against eventual champions Argentina in their group stage opener at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has remained one of the most enduring images from the tournament a year ago. 

After Saleh Al Shehri cancelled out Lionel Messi’s opener, Al Dawsari plucked the ball out from the sky, negated two Argentine markers and unleashed a strike which curled past Emiliano Martinez and rested in the top corner to produce one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. 
 
That monumental goal proved why Al Dawsari has been hailed as one of best footballers in the continent in recent times, took home the AFC Player of the Year gong this year, and is tipped to become one of the leading stars of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

Japan lead AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ cast

Thu, 21 Dec, 2023

Japan lead AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ cast

Kuala Lumpur:  Japan will head to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ as the top ranked Asian side.

The four-time AFC Asian Cup winners maintained their 17th spot in the latest FIFA World Ranking issued on Thursday.
 
Facing them in Group D at Qatar 2023 will be Iraq (ranked 63), Vietnam (94) and Indonesia (146).

Thrilling battle lines to be drawn for AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Knockout Stage

Thu, 28 Dec, 2023

Thrilling battle lines to be drawn for AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Knockout Stage

Kuala Lumpur: The excitement levels surrounding the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 will ratchet up another notch when the Knockout Stage encounters are revealed next Thursday, December 28 at 16:00 (UTC+8).

Of the 40 teams that contested the 21st edition of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s flagship club competition when it kicked off in September 2023, 16 sides have come through the Group Stage to take their places ahead of the official draw ceremony at the AFC House.
 
Eight teams each from the West Region and East Region – five Group winners and the three best runners-up – will discover their path to the Final, starting with the eight two-legged Round of 16 ties in February 2024.

AFC Cup™ 2023/24 contenders set for Knockout Stage Draw

Thu, 21 Dec, 2023

AFC Cup™ 2023/24 contenders set for Knockout Stage Draw

Kuala Lumpur: The path to ultimate glory in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 will be laid out on Thursday, December 28 at 14:00 (UTC+8) when the official draw ceremony for the Knockout Stage takes place at the AFC House.

Eleven teams have progressed from the Group Stage of the 19th edition of the iconic tournament, which kicked off in September and featured 36 teams from across the Confederation’s five Zones.