UAE’s Taheri eager to not let up after comeback win over Guam

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

UAE’s Taheri eager to not let up after comeback win over Guam

Bishkek: A stirring come-from-behind win against Guam kept United Arab Emirates’ dream of AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 qualification alive - now head coach Houriya Taheri wants to make it a reality.

Staring down the barrel of defeat after a defensive error allowed Aprl Talledo to put Guam ahead, the Emiratis dug deep to turn the game around at Bishkek’s Dolen Omurzakov Stadium on Monday.
 
Naeema Gharib’s willingness to press paid off when she intercepted a wayward pass from Guam shot stopper Kiarra Hutcherson before slotting home the equaliser, and captain Nouf Faleh Al Anzi provided the winner from the penalty spot with less than 10 minutes remaining to spark mass celebrations.

UAE see off Guam to keep India 2022 in sight

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

UAE see off Guam to keep India 2022 in sight

Bishkek: United Arab Emirates came from behind to register an opening night win in AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 qualifying Group D, defeating Guam 2-1 at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium on Monday.

Guam’s April Talledo and Naeema Gharib of the UAE both benefited from defensive errors as the teams traded goals in the first half, and looked destined to share the spoils until Emirati captain Nouf Faleh Al Anzi converted the winner from the penalty spot with 10 minutes remaining.
 
The win keeps alive UAE's chance of reaching the AFC Women’s Asian Cup for the first time, one they can enhance further with a win against Lebanon on Thursday, while Guam must beat Myanmar to keep their hopes alive.

Myanmar defeat Lebanon to take huge step towards India 2022

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Myanmar defeat Lebanon to take huge step towards India 2022

Bishkek: Myanmar took an important first step towards the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022, defeating Lebanon 4-0 in their opening qualifier at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium on Monday.

A first-half penalty from Win Theingi Tun put Tin Myint Aung’s side ahead, before Myat Noe Khin, San Thaw Taw and July Kyaw made the points safe with goals after the interval.
 
Two more wins over the next week will be enough to send Myanmar back to Asia’s top women’s event having missed the 2018 edition in Jordan, while Lebanon’s bid for a first ever appearance in the Finals is no longer entirely in their hands.

Chinese Taipei beat Laos to close in on return to Finals

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Chinese Taipei beat Laos to close in on return to Finals

Manama: Chinese Taipei are one win away from ending 13 years in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup wilderness after they defeated Laos 4-0 in their opening India 2022 Group A qualifier at Khalifa Sports City Stadium on Monday.

Goals from Chen Yen-ping and Su Yu-hsuan put Kazuo Echigo’s side comfortably ahead at half-time, before Lai Li-chin struck a quick-fire brace after the break to put the East Asian side at the head of the three-team group after one of three Matchdays.

Chinese Taipei are now in pole position to reach the Finals for the first time since 2008, with a win against group hosts Bahrain on Sunday to end their qualification drought.

Al Hilal edge Al Nassr to book AFC Champions League final ticket

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Hilal edge Al Nassr to book AFC Champions League final ticket

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC reached their third final in five years after bringing down 10-man Al Nassr 2-1 in the semi-final of the 2021 AFC Champions League on Tuesday. 

The game lived up to the pre-match hype in every way, combining the feel of the Riyadh Derby with the sense of occasion that comes with an AFC Champions League semi-final.

Semi-final Preview: East Coast rivals Ulsan and Pohang to meet for a place in the final

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Semi-final Preview: East Coast rivals Ulsan and Pohang to meet for a place in the final

Jeonju: Local rivalry will play out on the continental stage on Wednesday as defending champions Ulsan Hyundai FC take on the 2009 winners Pohang Steelers in the 2021 AFC Champions League semi-finals at Jeonju World Cup Stadium.

The match marks the first time the sides have faced off in the competition but, while Ulsan have enjoyed greater success than their East Coast Derby rivals in recent years, Pohang have played a considerable role in denying them further joy.

2021 AFC Cup - West Zonal Final Preview: Muharraq, Kuwait SC seek return to glory days

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2021 AFC Cup - West Zonal Final Preview: Muharraq, Kuwait SC seek return to glory days

Arad: All eyes iturn to Muharraq Stadium on Wednesday night as three-time champions Kuwait SC face home side Muharraq Club in the 2021 AFC Cup West Zonal Final, with the winners booking a place in the competition’s showpiece final next month.

Both sides will be looking to revive past glories, with Muharraq having won the AFC Cup in 2006 and finishingrunners-up in 2008. Meanwhile, Kuwait SC enjoyed the best spell in the club’s history between 2009 and 2013, winning three AFC Cup titles in that period and losing a final.

Despite their illustrious history in the competition, the two clubs have never played each other on the continental front, their only meeting coming two decades ago in the regional GCC Club Championship, with Muharraq winning 2-0.

2021 AFC Cup - Inter-Zone Final Preview: Chan urges Lee Man to give everything against favourites Nasaf

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2021 AFC Cup - Inter-Zone Final Preview: Chan urges Lee Man to give everything against favourites Nasaf

Karshi: They may be the new kids on the AFC Cup block, but Lee Man FC boss Chan Hiu Ming has vowed his side will fight for the full 90 minutes in Wednesday’s Inter-Zone Final against FC Nasaf.

Founded only four years ago, Lee Man are just 90 minutes away from becoming the first club from Hong Kong to reach an AFC Cup Final, but they’ll have to overcome red-hot Uzbek opposition who will be cheered on by a home crowd in Karshi.

2021 AFC Cup - Inter-Zone, West Zonal Finals: Facts & Stats

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2021 AFC Cup - Inter-Zone, West Zonal Finals: Facts & Stats

Kuala Lumpur: Four teams remain in the race for the 2021 AFC Cup title with Wednesday's Inter-Zone and West Zonal semi-finals set to be highly competitive affairs.

Hong Kong's Lee Man are the odd ones out with Uzbekistan's FC Nasaf, Muharraq Club and Kuwait SC all having previously lifted the title.

Join the-AFC.com as we analyse the facts and stats ahead of the semi-finals.

Nasaf v Lee Man – Six players who could make the difference in AFC Cup Inter-Zone Final

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Nasaf v Lee Man – Six players who could make the difference in AFC Cup Inter-Zone Final

Karshi: Just 90 minutes stand between FC Nasaf, Lee Man FC and a shot at Asian football immortality, giving both sets of players a rare opportunity to shine on the continent’s biggest stages.

Uzbekistan Super League runners-up Nasaf will welcome Hong Kong’s Lee Man with a place in next month’s final awaiting the winners, and both sides are equipped with potential match-winners who can turn a game at their whim.
 
Ahead of one of the biggest club fixtures on the calendar, we’ve picked out six players – three from each team – who possess the ability to make a major impact on Wednesday’s Inter-Zone final.