Former Colombia, Costa Rica boss Pinto to coach UAE

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Former Colombia, Costa Rica boss Pinto to coach UAE

Dubai: Jorge Luis Pinto, best known for leading Costa Rica to the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, is set to take over the United Arab Emirates national team, it was announced on Monday.

The 67-year-old Colombian will sign a two-year deal which would lead up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Finals, local media reported after the United Arab Emirates Football Association said the deal had been given a green light.

Vote for your best Asian team at the FIFA World Cup: Forwards

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vote for your best Asian team at the FIFA World Cup: Forwards

Kuala Lumpur: With international football not set to return until later in the year, the-AFC.com continues its look back at some of Asia's greatest performers at the FIFA World Cup and asks you, the fans, to vote for the Best XI.

We're just one position away from finding out who you want as your best Asian team at the FIFA World Cup. The best goalkeeper has been decided, as has your defence and the midfield in front of them, so now it's time to find the men to lead the line up front.

So, without further ado, here are the six players in contention for the places in attack. Review the nominees and then choose your favourites for this all-star XI in the poll below.

Asia’s Greatest FIFA World Cup Goals – Semi-final 1

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asia’s Greatest FIFA World Cup Goals – Semi-final 1

Kuala Lumpur: They are the goals that made entire nations roar. Every four years, the FIFA World Cup makes football the centrepiece of the world and ignites the hopes of millions of fans.

This June and July, the-AFC.com celebrates Asia’s contribution to the greatest show on earth by reliving 20 of the continent’s best FIFA World Cup goals.

Flashback: Saudi Arabia's Al Owairan recalls taking on the world in 1994

Fri, 28 Oct, 2022

Flashback: Saudi Arabia's Al Owairan recalls taking on the world in 1994

Kuala Lumpur: Saudi Arabia were not expected to make an impact when they made their FIFA World Cup Finals debut in USA '94.

While the West Asian nation had already made a name for themselves at the continental level, with two AFC Asian Cup titles in 1984 and 1988, a tough group meant expectations were low going into the global showpiece.

The tournament, however, did not go according to the script as forward Saeed Al Owairan fondly recalls in this 30 June 2020 interview with the-AFC.com. 

The most popular football clubs: Japan

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

The most popular football clubs: Japan

Tokyo: Japan is one of the heavyweights of the Continental game, as are its clubs with several Asian championships to their name.

As a continuation of our series that has seen the most popular clubs reviewed in West Asia, we now turn to the eastern side of the Continent with the upcoming resumption of the J.League the perfect opportunity to ask you, the Asian football fans, to decide the most popular club side from Japan.

Vote for your best ACL2017 Team: Forwards

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vote for your best ACL2017 Team: Forwards

Kuala Lumpur: The 2017 AFC Champions League boasted an array of fine attacking talents with some world class performers gracing Asia's most prestigious club competition and a prolific Syrian rising to prominence. 

After deciding the top goalkeeper, the best defence in front of him and the playmakers in midfield, we have eight players of our 2017 AFC Champions League Best XI confirmed, so now it's time to complete the jigsaw by voting for the men to lead the line up front.

So, without further ado, here are the eight players in contention for the three places in attack. Review the nominees and then choose your favourites for this all-star XI in the poll below.

Magical Moments: Uzbekistan storm to 2018 title

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Magical Moments: Uzbekistan storm to 2018 title

Kuala Lumpur: When Andrey Sidorov struck in the final minute of extra-time to help Uzbekistan seal the AFC U23 Championship China 2018 title, it capped a truly remarkable campaign by the Central Asian nation.

The victory was, in truth, just rewards for a side that – after an initial wobble – rarely looked back. A richly deserved trophy for a team which played attacking, expansive football, for players who all skipped to the same beat. Players who were united by their desire to succeed.