Shin promises a sharper Indonesia

Wed, 10 Jan, 2024

Shin promises a sharper Indonesia

Doha: Head coach Shin Tae-yong believes there is room for improvement ahead of Indonesia kicking off their AFC Asian Cup™ 2023 challenge on Monday.

The Southeast Asian side lost 5-0 to Islamic Republic of Iran in their final friendly at the Al Rayyan Training Site in Doha on Tuesday with Shin expecting a more resolute performance against Iraq in their Group D match against Iraq on Monday.

Social Wrap: Teams assemble as kick-off approaches

Wed, 10 Jan, 2024

Social Wrap: Teams assemble as kick-off approaches

Doha: The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ is now just days away, with teams going through their last-minute preparations.

Hosts and defending champions Qatar welcome Lebanon to Lusail Stadium fon Friday for the competition’s curtain raiser, in what is set to be the beginning of an enthralling month of action.
 
From special welcomes to the training pitch, the-AFC.com takes a look at the social media channels of the teams involved.

Chhetri: India well prepared for Australia

Wed, 10 Jan, 2024

Chhetri: India well prepared for Australia

Doha: Australia will hold no surprises for India when the two sides face off in their opening AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ tie on Saturday.

The two met at the same stage in the 2011 edition with India suffering a 4-0 defeat but captain Sunil Chhetri is confident history will not repeat itself in their Group B clash at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan. 

Japan ready to impress

Wed, 10 Jan, 2024

Japan ready to impress

Doha: Japan completed their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ preparations in style after beating Jordan 6-1 in a closed-door friendly match on Tuesday.

Head coach Hajime Moriyasu used the opportunity to give his squad playing time with two completely different sets of teams fielded on either side of the break.

Alireza Faghani to take charge of #AsianCup2023 opener

Wed, 10 Jan, 2024

Alireza Faghani to take charge of #AsianCup2023 opener

Doha: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today confirmed the cast of match officials that will oversee the opening match of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, which will take place on Friday at the breathtaking Lusail Stadium.

Widely regarded as one of the most established Asian match officials, Alireza Faghani has been appointed to officiate the highly-anticipated Group A fixture between defending champions Qatar and Lebanon, which will kick off at 7pm in the 88,000-capacity venue and officially get the 18th edition of Asia’s crown jewel underway.

5 of the Best: Group Stage Matches

Tue, 09 Jan, 2024

5 of the Best: Group Stage Matches

Kuala Lumpur: The football world will be watching as the highly anticipated AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ kicks off with the hosts and reigning champions Qatar going up against Lebanon at Lusail Stadium on Friday. 

The tournament opener is set to make sure that the 18th edition of the AFC Asian Cup begins in style and the excitement will only continue to soar as the group stage has thrown up several gripping match-ups to look forward to throughout the remainder of January. 
 
With plenty at stake in each of the 36 group stage fixtures taking place across Qatar between January 12 and 25, the-AFC.com picks out five matches to whet your appetite. 

Japan's veteran football star Endo retires

Tue, 09 Jan, 2024

Japan's veteran football star Endo retires

Tokyo: Japan's veteran midfielder Yasuhito Endo on Tuesday announced his retirement after 26 years of his career and joined Gamba Osaka as a coach.

"I had a really long and fulfilling 26 years of football life between 1998 and 2023. I never thought I'd play  this long," the 43-year-old said in a video message posted on the club's website.

Qatar 2023 set for kick-off

Tue, 09 Jan, 2024

Qatar 2023 set for kick-off

Doha: The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 is all set to take off with most of the 24 teams having already checked in for the continental showpiece. 

Exciting is building with the 18th edition of the tournament to kick off with the opening match between defending champions Qatar and Lebanon at the iconic Lusail Stadium on Friday.
 
To be hosted by Qatar for the third time, AFC Asian Cup fever can be felt across the country, with the 51 matches to be played in nine stadiums.