Pinto: I am passionate about taking UAE to the World Cup

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Pinto: I am passionate about taking UAE to the World Cup

Dubai: Jorge Luis Pinto will not be stepping into the unknown as head coach of the United Arab Emirates national team, with the Colombian having done his homework prior to meeting the squad on Tuesday.

In fact, the former Honduras and Costa Rica head coach is determined to leave a lasting legacy on UAE football, with qualification for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 his immediate target.

Pinto, speaking during his official presentation on Wednesday, said he is confident he will be able to steer UAE in the direction they desire.

Tajikistan skipper Nazarov returns to Istiklol

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tajikistan skipper Nazarov returns to Istiklol

Dushanbe: Tajikistan national team captain Akhtam Nazarov has returned to his former home, departing Bangladeshi champions Bashundhara Kings to re-join FC Istiklol.

Nazarov returns to the Dushanbe club on a one-and-a-half-year deal after arriving in the nation’s capital ahead of a Tajikistan national team training camp held this week.

The contract brings Nazarov’s time in Bangladesh to an early end, with his departure coming eight months after he joined Bashundhara Kings on a one-year deal in November 2019.

Al Bakkar‎ writes new history in Lebanon

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Bakkar‎ writes new history in Lebanon

Beirut: With women’s football becoming increasingly popular in the Arab world, it comes as no surprise to see more women taking up refereeing and officiating their games. 

One woman, by the name of Doumouh Al Bakkar, has gone a step further step, however, making history by officiating several men’s games after becoming one of the leading referees of women’s football in Lebanon.

Australia’s McCormick seals whirlwind year with Betis switch

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Australia’s McCormick seals whirlwind year with Betis switch

Seville: Jenna McCormick has continued the mass migration of Australian women’s national team players to Europe, joining Spanish outfit Real Betis on a two-year deal announced on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old makes the switch from W-League outfit Melbourne Victory, joining fellow South Australian Alex Chidiac, of Atlético Madrid, in the Primera División.

The most popular football clubs: China PR

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

The most popular football clubs: China PR

Beijing: As the Chinese Super League gets set to kick off in the coming days, we continue our series reviewing the most popular clubs in Asia, this week shifting the focus to China PR. 

The CSL was launched in 2004 and has since attracted numerous world-renowned superstars as the league has grown into one of the strongest in Asia and among the most watched anywhere on the planet. The country's clubs, meanwhile, have become big hitters in the AFC Champions League.

Based on both domestic and Continental success, below are five candidates for China's most popular club. Review the teams and don't forget to vote for your favourite in the poll at the bottom of the article.

ACL Legends: Qatar

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

ACL Legends: Qatar

Kuala Lumpur: Having had a look at legends from Australia, China PR, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia,  Syria, Thailand and the UAE, the latest edition of the series focuses on five Qatari players who have left a mark on the AFC Champions League.

While only one Qatari club has won the competition, there have also been long runs ending in the late knockout-stages of the competition with a number of Qatari stars excelling over the years.

Young Del Campo rising with Philippines

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Young Del Campo rising with Philippines

Manila: Scoring a first-ever national team goal is usually a memorable moment, one to savour and cherish for life. For Philippines' young striker Alisha del Campo, however, there were mixed emotions when she entered the field en route to breaking her international duck.

The moment was the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers when the Malditas faced Jordan in April 2017 in the group's top-of-the-standing match. With the qualifying mission already complete, both teams could test new faces in the closing fixture.

The Jordanians were five goals up going into stoppage-time when Del Campo, who made her international debut in a 4-0 defeat of United Arab Emirates in an earlier group match, was sent on.