Australia fight back to overwhelm Costa Rica in opener

Thu, 11 Aug, 2022

Australia fight back to overwhelm Costa Rica in opener

San Jose: Australia came back from a goal down to defeat Costa Rica 3-1 in their 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Group A fixture at the National Stadium of Costa Rica on Wednesday.

The hosts took the lead through Alexandra Gonzales but the young Matildas struck twice with goals from Sarah Rose Hunter and Bryleeh Henry to take a 2-1 lead going into the break before Kristy Fenton sealed the victory with 18 minutes left on the clock.

Australia lead the standings ahead of Brazil and Spain, who played to a 0-0 draw, while Costa Rica lie bottom of Group A.

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2022-23 Iran Pro League Season Preview

Thu, 11 Aug, 2022

2022-23 Iran Pro League Season Preview

Dubai: In an exceptional football season that will see play halted while Islamic Republic of Iran take part in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in November and December, the new Iran Pro League season is set to get underway on Friday with five fixtures.

Only one Iranian team, Foolad FC, remain in contention in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 knockout stage, meaning the focus of Tehran duo Esteghlal FC and Persepolis FC and others will be solely on the domestic front, further fueling competition in the new season.

Yokohama F. Marinos charting a new era under Muscat

Wed, 10 Aug, 2022

Yokohama F. Marinos charting a new era under Muscat

Yokohama: In little over a year since replacing Ange Postecoglou as manager, Australian Kevin Muscat has taken Yokohama F. Marinos back to the top of the J1 League standings and, as he tells the-AFC.com, his sights are set on a run deep into this year’s AFC Champions League™. 

Following in the footsteps of Postecoglou, the AFC Asian Cup™-winning Australian who steered Yokohama F. Marinos to the 2019 J1 League title, would be a daunting proposition for many coaches.

Teamwork makes the dream work for Kuala Lumpur City

Thu, 11 Aug, 2022

Teamwork makes the dream work for Kuala Lumpur City

Ho Chi Minh City: Head coach Bojan Hodak praised his Kuala Lumpur City FC side for their incredible fighting spirit, which saw them hold off a fierce Viettel FC for 120 minutes before securing a 6-5 penalty shootout win in the AFC Cup™ 2022 ASEAN Zonal Semi-finals on Wednesday. 

The result means the 2021 Malaysia Cup winners will face PSM Makassar of Indonesia, who beat Kedah Darul Aman in the other semi-final, in the ASEAN Zonal final on August 24. 

Kuala Lumpur City take down Viettel on penalties to secure ASEAN Zonal final slot

Thu, 11 Aug, 2022

Kuala Lumpur City take down Viettel on penalties to secure ASEAN Zonal final slot

Ho Chi Minh City: Kuala Lumpur City will take on Indonesia’s PSM Makassar in the AFC Cup™ 2022 ASEAN Zonal Final in two weeks’ time after Bojan Hodak’s side sealed a 6-5 sudden death shoot-out win over Viettel FC on Wednesday after a scoreless draw at the end of extra-time.

Goalkeeper Azri Ghani kept out Bui Duy Thuong’s penalty in the seventh round of penalties to take the Malaysians into the next phase of the competition on August 24, with the winner facing ATK Mohun Bagan of India in the Inter-Zone Playoff Semi-finals in Kolkata on September 7.

Tavares praises PSM Makassar’s character in AFC Cup™ win against Kedah Darul Aman

Wed, 10 Aug, 2022

Tavares praises PSM Makassar’s character in AFC Cup™ win against Kedah Darul Aman

Bali: Head coach Bernardo Tavares hailed his PSM Makassar charges for their 2-1 win over Kedah Darul Aman in the AFC Cup™ 2022 ASEAN Zonal Semi-final at the Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium on Tuesday.

PSM, who played with 10 men in the final half hour before being reduced further just before the final whistle, came out tops to become the first Indonesian side to advance to the AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal Final. 

Zeca: ‘Irreplaceable’ Cesinha is Daegu’s greatest-ever player

Tue, 02 Aug, 2022

Zeca: ‘Irreplaceable’ Cesinha is Daegu’s greatest-ever player

Daegu: Zeca has heaped praise on countryman Cesinha, describing his Brazilian teammate as the greatest player in Daegu FC’s history ahead of the Korean side’s AFC Champions League™ 2022 Round of 16 clash against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on August 18.

Injury ruled Cesinha out of the group stage back in April when Zeca enjoyed a continental debut to remember, scoring six goals to help his new team finish on top of Group F and advance to the knockout rounds for the second successive year.