“A milestone for Indian football” – India 2022’s impact excites legendary Oinam Bembem Devi

Sat, 04 Dec, 2021

“A milestone for Indian football” – India 2022’s impact excites legendary Oinam Bembem Devi

Delhi: One of the most decorated figures in the history of Indian women’s football, Oinam Bembem Devi will be among the millions watching on as India welcomes Asia’s best for a historic AFC Women’s Asian Cup in early 2022.

Ever since representing the Mainpur state team as a 13-year-old in 1993, there has been something remarkable about Oinam Bembem Devi.
 
Having overcome tremendous difficulties along the way, her achievements in a senior international career spanning more than 20 years made her an icon of the Indian women’s game, with her contribution recently recognised with the highly prestigious civilian honour, the Padma Shri.
 
With less than two months until India welcomes some of the world’s best players, the-AFC.com discussed women’s football’s progress in India, how the hosts might fare in the Finals, and the impact India 2022 could have on a generation of Indian girls.

AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 - What we learned, what they said: The international window in review

Fri, 03 Dec, 2021

AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 - What we learned, what they said: The international window in review

Kuala Lumpur: With less than 50 days until Asia’s women’s football feast gets underway, four of the tournament’s contenders have been preparing for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup action to come with keenly contested international friendlies.

In a week full of storylines, Australia broke attendance records against the world’s number one side, Japan began life under Futoshi Ikeda, while hosts India took their preparation to a new level in South America.
 
Join the-AFC.com as we make sense of the international window that was, and how each team reacted to a crucial week on the road to India 2022.

FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 match schedule finalised

Thu, 02 Dec, 2021

FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 match schedule finalised

Sydney: The much anticipated FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 has been confirmed.

FIFA announced the 64-fixture match schedule which will feature 32-teams for the first time in the tournament jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. 

A total 35 of the 64 matches, including 11 of 16 knockout stage matches, will be played in Australia. 

Vote for your Best Goal of the 2021 AFC Champions League: Semi-final 1

Fri, 03 Dec, 2021

Vote for your Best Goal of the 2021 AFC Champions League: Semi-final 1

Kuala Lumpur: The 2021 AFC Champions League witnessed some stunning goals, from long-range screamers to acrobatic bicycle kicks, and now it's down to you, the fans, to decide your favourite. 

In the first of two semi-finals, the-AFC.com has selected 10 goals to review and then let us know which one you think is the pick of the bunch. Review the nominees and don't forget to cast your vote at the bottom of the article. 

AFF Cup: ASEAN rivals target regional glory

Sun, 05 Dec, 2021

AFF Cup: ASEAN rivals target regional glory

Kuala Lumpur: The most eagerly awaited tournament in Southeast Asian football is set to kick off on Sunday when the AFF (ASEAN Football Federation) Cup gets underway in Singapore. 

The competition, initially scheduled for 2020 but postponed due to COVID-19, sees 10 teams split into two groups with four semi-final places up for grabs. 

Vietnam enter as defending champions, while Thailand will be among the main challengers and Singapore boast home advantage. The-AFC.com takes a closer look at the teams involved.

UAE stay perfect, Syria stun Tunisia

Sat, 04 Dec, 2021

UAE stay perfect, Syria stun Tunisia

Doha: United Arab Emirates made it two wins out of two after edging Mauritania 1-0 in Group B of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021 on Friday.

Syria, meanwhile, revived their hopes with a surprise 2-0 win over Tunisia to keep the race for the two quarter-final spots wide open.

Dramatic winner sends Qatar into quarter-finals; Bahrain, Iraq share spoils

Sat, 04 Dec, 2021

Dramatic winner sends Qatar into quarter-finals; Bahrain, Iraq share spoils

Doha: Qatar reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 after a 2-1 victory over Oman, thanks to a stoppage time own goal, while Bahrain and Iraq played out a 0-0 draw in their Group A ties on Friday.

The victory took Qatar’s points tally to six from two victories in as many matches with the Felix Sanchez-coached side having defeated Bahrain 1-0 in their opening match.

Iraq, meanwhile, are on two points while Oman and Bahrain are on one point each.   

Li Xiaopeng takes charge of China PR

Fri, 03 Dec, 2021

Li Xiaopeng takes charge of China PR

Beijing: Li Tie has resigned as head coach of the China PR national team and been replaced by former Shandong Luneng coach Li Xiaopeng, the Chinese Football Association announced on Friday.

China PR are currently in fifth place in Group B of AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar with five points from their opening six games and 11 points behind leaders Saudi Arabia, having won just once since the start of the final phase of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 preliminaries.