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.

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.

Semi-final Preview: Al Nassr, Al Hilal set for enthralling derby

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Semi-final Preview: Al Nassr, Al Hilal set for enthralling derby

Riyadh: An enticing Saudi Arabian derby awaits as Al Hilal SFC face cross-city rivals Al Nassr at King Saud University Stadium on Tuesday in the bid for a spot in the 2021 AFC Champions League final.

This is a match-up of several seconds: The second all-Saudi semi-final, the first coming in the 2012 AFC Champions League edition, when two-time champions Al Ittihad faced Jeddah rivals Al Ahli FC Saudi. It is also Al Nassr’s second semi-final in a row, losing last time out on penalties to Persepolis. 

Hong applauds Ulsan Hyundai players for staying strong against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Hong applauds Ulsan Hyundai players for staying strong against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Jeonju: Ulsan Hyundai head coach Hong Myung-bo saluted his players’ never-say-die attitude as the holders’ defence of their AFC Champions League title continues into the semi-finals following their 3-2 win after extra-time against fellow K League 1 side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Sunday.

The Horangi took the lead on three separate occasions over the 120 minutes of play at Jeonju World Cup Stadium, but first half goals from Valeri Qazaishvili and Yun Il-lok were each time cancelled out by their opponents as Han Kyo-won and Takahiro Kunimoto responded.

However, there was to be no answer for a stunning strike from substitute Lee Dong-gyeong in extra-time that ultimately settled matters as Ulsan took a step towards becoming the first team to retain the continental title since Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad in 2005.

Proud Kim praises Pohang Steelers after masterclass against Nagoya Grampus

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Proud Kim praises Pohang Steelers after masterclass against Nagoya Grampus

Jeonju: Pohang Steelers head coach Kim Gi-dong spoke of his immense pride in his team after the K League 1 side defeated Japan’s Nagoya Grampus 3-0 to reach the AFC Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009 at Jeonju World Cup Stadium on Sunday.

The Steelers weathered a storm from the J League side in the first half, but after the break Kim’s charges were in command as a brace from Lim Sang-hyub and a goal from Lee Seung-mo saw the red-and-black clad men into the last four.

2021 AFC Cup West Zonal Final - The Contenders' History

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2021 AFC Cup West Zonal Final - The Contenders' History

Arad: Wednesday night sees two of the most successful sides in AFC Cup history go head-to-head as Muharraq Club of Bahrain host Kuwait SC in the West Zonal Final with a place in the 2021 AFC Cup Final at stake.

Both sides were at their best in the first decade following the inception of the AFC Cup in 2004 and have since come across difficult times, with the 2021 edition offering both an opportunity to regain past glories. the-AFC.com looks at the highlights of Kuwait SC and Muharraq Club’s AFC Cup history.

Chan: Mental strength and team spirit Lee Man's strongest weapons in AFC Cup Inter-Zone Final

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Chan: Mental strength and team spirit Lee Man's strongest weapons in AFC Cup Inter-Zone Final

Karshi: Chan Hiu Ming believes Hong Kong side Lee Man FC have already made history by reaching the 2021 AFC Cup Inter-Zone Final, but the head coach is still hoping to cause a major upset when his team face Uzbekistan's FC Nasaf on Wednesday.

It appears a mismatch on paper with FC Nasaf, founded in 1986, boasting a rich domestic and continental history that includes an AFC Cup title, multiple campaigns in the AFC Champions League and a semi-final appearance at the 2002 Asian Club Championship facing off against a Lee Man a side who came together in 2017.

Nevertheless, these two vastly contrasting clubs have reached the penultimate stage of the 2021 AFC Cup. Ahead of the clash with the 2011 winners at Markaziy Stadion, the-AFC.com spoke with the 46-year-old Chan, a former Macau national team coach, about his side's chances of continental glory.

West Asia Wrap: Al Ramtha on the verge of Jordanian Pro League title

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

West Asia Wrap: Al Ramtha on the verge of Jordanian Pro League title

Dubai: Al Ramtha are primed to clinch the Jordanian Pro League title after a huge win on Sunday.

In Qatar, Al Sadd and Al Duhail registered thrilling wins while leaders Al Ittihad were held in Saudi Arabia.
Join the-AFC.com as we review the latest round of domestic action in West Asia.

East Asia & ASEAN Wrap: Marinos win to keep up the chase

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

East Asia & ASEAN Wrap: Marinos win to keep up the chase

Kuala Lumpur: Two goals in the final 10 minutes saw Yokohama F. Marinos defeat Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 2-1 on Saturday as they kept alive their slim hopes of catching Kawasaki Frontale at the top of the J1 League.

Thai League 1 pacesetters Buriram United chalked up another win while the leaders in Indonesia, Bhayankara, were beaten by Persib Bandung in what was their first defeat of the season.

And there was one game in Korea Republic, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the latest round of fixtures across East Asia and ASEAN.