We want to win, says Japan's Ozu Moreira

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

We want to win, says Japan's Ozu Moreira

Moscow: “I have a new role now of course, but once the match starts I’m a player,” Japan coach Ozu Moreira has said ahead of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Russia 2021. “At half-time I talk to my team as coach – but my job is on the pitch and I’ll play.”

Holding a position as player-coach is unusual enough at club level, but on the international stage it is almost unheard of. But if anyone is up to the task, it is Moreira. Growing up, the 35-year-old followed beach soccer more intensively than most and he has played alongside and against some of the world’s best during his career.

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2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage – 5 of the Best: Solo Goals

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage – 5 of the Best: Solo Goals

Kuala Lumpur: The-AFC.com's '5 of the Best' spotlight on 2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage action this week highlights goals that are far more about the individual than the collective. 

It was all about the team last week in our round up of great 2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage goals, but this week we recall five solo goals where players have taken matters into their own hands and produced a moment of individual brilliance.

After reviewing these five fantastic finishes, vote for your favourite at the bottom of the article.

Vote for your best 2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage Team: Goalkeeper

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vote for your best 2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage Team: Goalkeeper

Kuala Lumpur: After the conclusion of the 2021 AFC Champions League group stage in July, the-AFC.com looks back on some of the standout displays from those involved in order to find out the Best XI from the first round. We begin with the goalkeepers.

To select the candidates for each position, we have reflected on match data from the group stage to draw up a statistics-based approach to present the outstanding performers.

We kick things off with five standout goalkeepers for the all-important number one jersey. Review the nominees and then choose who you think should take the position as the last line of defence in this all-star XI in the poll below.

Tokyo Olympics: What They Said

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics: What They Said

Kuala Lumpur: The Tokyo Olympics Men's and Women's Football tournaments drew to a close over the weekend, with Asia narrowly missing out on bronze medals in both competitions. 

After a campaign that saw plenty of highs and lows for the Asian Football Confederation's representatives, including famous wins and impressive goalscoring feats, the-AFC.com looks back at what those involved had to say.

Takefusa Kubo back with Real Mallorca on loan

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Takefusa Kubo back with Real Mallorca on loan

Madrid: Japan international Takefusa Kubo has rejoined Real Mallorca for a second year-long loan stint from Real Madrid after leading his country to the semi-finals of the Olympic Games in Tokyo earlier this month.

Kubo returns to Mallorca after spending the 2019-20 season with the club, where he played 35 times in La Liga and scored four goals.

Despite impressing during his initial season-long stint, Kubo’s form was not enough to prevent Mallorca from dropping into the second division.

Monika Staab named Saudi Arabia women's head coach 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Monika Staab named Saudi Arabia women's head coach 

Riyadh: The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has appointed former German international Monika Staab as the new head coach of the Saudi women’s national football team.

The highly rated Staab, who has more than 25 years of experience as a player and coach, was previously in charge of Qatar women's national football team for 15 months before taking the coaching role at SAFF.

Young talents headline Kyrgyz Republic preliminary squad for September window

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Young talents headline Kyrgyz Republic preliminary squad for September window

Bishkek: Kyrgyz Republic fans will have several new faces to follow when the national team plays its first home internationals in almost two years next month.

Head coach Alexander Krestinin will look to introduce several new players to his national team pool in the home friendlies, with Palestine confirmed as the opponents for one of the matches.