Japan dominate, new champions emerge

Sat, 07 Oct, 2023

Japan dominate, new champions emerge

Kuala Lumpur: East Asian nations had little success at the AFC Asian Cup™ in the aftermath of Korea Republic’s back-to-back title wins in the competition’s formative years. However, after a period of West Asian dominance, the tide was about to turn as Japan emerged as the continent’s dominant force.

Japan’s AFC Asian Cup win on home soil in 1992 might have come as a surprise, but on hindsight it proved to be a precursor of a period of superiority whose roots lay in the advent of professionalism in the east Asian nation and a remarkable attention to detail.
 
Until the early 1990s the Samurai Blue had been a minor player at the AFC Asian Cup but, with the arrival of the J.League in 1993 and the dawn of an era that brought with it rapid development at all levels, Japanese football was on the rise.

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Pride of Asia: The Early Years

Thu, 05 Oct, 2023

Pride of Asia: The Early Years

Kuala Lumpur: From the humblest beginnings, the AFC Asian Cup™ has grown into the greatest football show on the continent with the 18th edition, which kicks off in Qatar in just under a hundred days, set to be the best ever. 

But even in its earliest days, the prestige of claiming the continental crown brought with it fame, respect and a trip to the presidential palace. the-AFC.com retraces the AFC Asian Cup's journey through the years with the first of a four-part series.

A New Era

Thu, 05 Oct, 2023

A New Era

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic claimed the first two AFC Asian Cup™ titles but, after near-misses in both 1956 and 1960, Israel sparked a shift in the balance of power in 1964, paving the way for an even more dominant force to take control.

After back-to-back runners-up finishes, persistence paid off as Israel added a new name to the AFC Asian Cup trophy as they claimed the title in front of their own fans when the country hosted the third edition of the continental championship.

West Asia takes charge

Thu, 19 Oct, 2023

West Asia takes charge

Kuala Lumpur: After Korea Republic and Islamic Republic of Iran notched up multiple wins in the first six editions of the AFC Asian Cup™, the start of the 1980s brought with it another change in the landscape of the Asian game as teams from West Asia took a stranglehold on the sport.

Kuwait had signaled their status as one of the rising powers of Asian football in 1976 in reaching the final of the AFC Asian Cup in just their second appearance and, on home soil four years later, the Gulf state was to go one step further.

#AsianCup2023 100-day countdown: Hayya Asia unveiled as official slogan

Thu, 05 Oct, 2023

#AsianCup2023 100-day countdown: Hayya Asia unveiled as official slogan

Doha: With 100 days to go to Asia’s most prestigious men’s tournament, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Local Organising Committee (LOC) today unveiled the official slogan of the competition: Hayya Asia.

Presenting fervent fans of Asian football with the opportunity to have their voices heard, Hayya Asia was confirmed as the official slogan of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ from a shortlist of 11, following a global online engagement campaign launched on 12 September to mark  the tournament’s four-month countdown.

#ACFutsal2024 Qualifiers - MD1 Results & Reports

Sat, 07 Oct, 2023

#ACFutsal2024 Qualifiers - MD1 Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: The road to ultimate hardcourt glory on the Continent begins on Saturday when the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024 Qualifiers get underway.

Eight groups – six of four teams and two comprising three – will be played in a single round-robin format over three matchdays between October 7 and 13 at centralised venues to determine the final cast for the 17th edition of the tournament, set to be staged in Thailand from April 17 to 28, 2024.
 
Fifteen teams will join hosts Thailand in the Finals so stay updated on all the action with the-AFC.com.

#ACL – Matchday Two in Numbers

Fri, 06 Oct, 2023

#ACL – Matchday Two in Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Two of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 did not disappoint as the games across the continent delivered gripping drama and memorable goals. 

With superstar scorers, surprise results, bumper crowds and much more, the-AFC.com looks back at the week in numbers. 

#AFCCup - Review: Matchday Two

Sat, 07 Oct, 2023

#AFCCup - Review: Matchday Two

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Two of the AFC Cup saw its fair share of spectacular results as the 36 teams took the next step towards qualifying for the knockout stage.

With the next round of matches to take place in three weeks, the teams have plenty of time to work on their campaigns.
 
Join the-AFC.com in our review of the latest round of action and a look ahead to what to expect on Matchday Three.