AO Tanaka included in Japan's squad for AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar challenge

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AO Tanaka included in Japan's squad for AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar challenge

Tokyo: Midfielder Ao Tanaka has been recalled to the Japan squad for next month’s meetings with Saudi Arabia and Japan in the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar.

The former Kawasaki Frontale player was a key member of Japan’s Olympic team as Hajime Moriyasu led the country to the semi-finals of the tournament on home soil, but he was not selected for the Asian Qualifiers' ties against Oman and China PR last month.
 
The Japanese lost their opening game against the Omanis before handing Li Tie’s team a 1-0 defeat in Doha to sit in fourth place in Group B with three points from their first two matches.
 

Al Dawsari among injured trio to miss Saudi Arabia’s ties against Japan, China PR

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Dawsari among injured trio to miss Saudi Arabia’s ties against Japan, China PR

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia national team head coach Hervé Renard will be without three key players for the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar matches against Japan and China PR next month.

Abdullah Otayf, Salem Al Dawsari and Mohammed Al Burayk were all left out due to injuries while Abdullah Al Hamdan and Ali Al Asmari were dropped by Renard.

France’s FIFA World Cup winner Nzonzi joins Al Rayyan

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

France’s FIFA World Cup winner Nzonzi joins Al Rayyan

Doha: Eight-time Qatar League champions Al Rayyan continued their recent spree of impressive signings by announcing they have brough FIFA World Cup winner Steven Nzonzi on board.

Nzonzi, who featured for France in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, has signed a two-year contract with Al Rayyan.

Polking named Thailand men's national team head coach

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Polking named Thailand men's national team head coach

Bangkok: Alexandre Polking will lead the Thailand men's national team as head coach replacing Japanese Akira Nishino, the Thailand Football Association announced on Tuesday.

The former Ho Chi Minh CIty head coach takes over the reins from Nishino, who left the post in July, ahead of the delayed 2020 AFF Cup in December and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifiers.

Fabio Cannavaro leaves Guangzhou FC

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Fabio Cannavaro leaves Guangzhou FC

Hong Kong: Two-time AFC Champions League winners Guangzhou FC have parted company with head coach Fabio Cannavaro by mutual consent, the Chinese Super League outfit announced on Tuesday.

The Italian, who was in his second stint with the club, had been due to return to Guangzhou last Thursday having led his squad through the first phase of the Chinese Super League campaign earlier in the year.

His failure to arrive in China as scheduled sparked media speculation he was leaving the club almost four years after joining Guangzhou for a second time following an initial seven-month spell from November 2014 to June 2015.

Central and South Asian Wrap: Nasaf thrill, Kyrgyz Republic race heats up, Mohammedan reach final

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Central and South Asian Wrap: Nasaf thrill, Kyrgyz Republic race heats up, Mohammedan reach final

Bishkek: FC Nasaf took their red-hot AFC Cup form to the Uzbekistan Super League, while Kyrgyz Republic’s title race remains as close as ever after a crucial week of results.

Elsewhere, Mohammedan SC surge into India’s Durand Cup Final, and Fatkhullo Fatkhulloev bags four in Tajikistan.

Join the-AFC.com for all the latest news and results from Kolkata to Karshi.

2021 AFC Cup: The Stats Leaders

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2021 AFC Cup: The Stats Leaders

Kuala Lumpur: With just three ties remaining in the 2021 AFC Cup, the-AFC.com takes a closer look at the numbers that caught the eye following the conclusion of the first phase of knockout stage clashes.

From high-scoring forwards to those that create the goals and win the ball back, we shine the spotlight on the players whose statistics stood out as the continental competition nears its exciting climax.