Vilda: Carmona's work of art the defining factor for Spain

Wed, 16 Aug, 2023

Vilda: Carmona's work of art the defining factor for Spain

Auckland: Defender Olga Carmona conjured up "a work of art" to send Spain into their first FIFA Women's World Cup final on Tuesday and a clash with Australia or England.

The skipper capped a frenetic ending to the semi-final at Eden Park in Auckland with a rocket to give Spain a thrilling 2-1 victory over Sweden.
 
Proceedings seemed to be meandering towards extra time before suddenly bursting to life when substitute Salma Paralluelo put Spain ahead with nine minutes left.
 
Rebecka Blomqvist equalised in the 88th minute only for full-back Carmona to score with a superb shot in off the underside of the crossbar from the edge of the box 60 seconds later.

Preview - S-final: Australia v England

Wed, 16 Aug, 2023

Preview - S-final: Australia v England

Sydney: Head coach Tony Gustavsson believes there is no margin for error when Australia face England in their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 semi-final at Stadium Australia on Wednesday.

Both teams will meet for the first time in the competition with Australia having a psychological advantage after defeating England 2-0 in a recent friendly with Gustavsson confident his team will be prepared to face the unbeaten European champions  who have scored 10 goals in the tournament.

SF - Australia v England: Facts & Figures

Tue, 15 Aug, 2023

SF - Australia v England: Facts & Figures

Sydney: Not a single empty seat is expected at Stadium Australia when Australia face England in their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 semi-final on Wednesday.

Both teams are bidding to lift the trophy for the first time and ahead of the highly-anticipated last four clash, the-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts and figures. 

Europe Wrap: Kubo scores in La Liga opener; Lee makes PSG debut

Wed, 16 Aug, 2023

Europe Wrap: Kubo scores in La Liga opener; Lee makes PSG debut

Kuala Lumpur: Takefusa Kubo began from where he left off last season in Spain as the Japan international scored in Real Sociedad's 1-1 draw against Girona in San Sebastian on Saturday during the opening weekend of the 2023-24 La Liga season.

In France, Korea Republic attacking midfielder Lee Kang-in made his Ligue 1 debut for Paris Saint-Germain in a goalless draw against FC Lorient after his move from Spain while his compatriot Kim Min-jae made his Bayern Munich bow as a substitute during the DFL-Supercup tie in Germany.
 
Australian manager Ange Postecoglou took charge of Tottenham Hotspur in England’s Premier League for the first time, Japanese star Kanya Fujimoto bagged a double in Portugal and Iraq’s Amir Al Ammari was on target in Sweden, so join the-AFC.com as we find out how the Asian stars performed in Europe over the past week. 

Neymar signs for Al Hilal

Wed, 16 Aug, 2023

Neymar signs for Al Hilal

Riyadh: Brazil forward Neymar has signed for Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal SFC after six seasons with French champions Paris Saint-Germain, the two clubs announced on Tuesday.

“I am here in Saudi Arabia, I am Hilali,” the 31-year-old Neymar said in a video posted on the club’s social media accounts.

Preliminary: AGMK FC (UZB) 1-0 Al Seeb Club (OMA)

Thu, 17 Aug, 2023

Preliminary: AGMK FC (UZB) 1-0 Al Seeb Club (OMA)

Olmaliq: Uzbekistan's AGMK FC edged Al Seeb Club of Oman 1-0 in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 preliminary round tie at the AMMC Sports Complex on Tuesday. 

The victory means AGMK will meet Qatar's Al Arabi SC in the playoffs next week for a place in the group stage.

Preliminary: Sharjah FC (UAE) 2-0 Bashundhara Kings (BAN)

Thu, 17 Aug, 2023

Preliminary: Sharjah FC (UAE) 2-0 Bashundhara Kings (BAN)

Sharjah: Sharjah FC of the United Arab Emirates powered into the playoff round of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 with a 2-0 win over Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh in their preliminary tie on Tuesday. 

The win means Sharjah will meet Tractor FC of Islamic Republic of Iran next week for a spot in the group stage. 

Preliminary: Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (UAE) 3-0 Al Wehdat (JOR)

Thu, 17 Aug, 2023

Preliminary: Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (UAE) 3-0 Al Wehdat (JOR)

Dubai: United Arab Emirates side Shabab Al Ahli Dubai came alive in the second half to triumph 3-0 over Jordan's Al Wehdat in the 2023/24 AFC Champions League™ preliminary round match played at the Rashid Stadium on Tuesday. 

After a goalles opening half, the Red Knights sprung into action in the second period to send the 2015 runners-up a step closer to the group stage.
 
Shabab Al Ahli will now meet Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr in the playoffs on August 22 to decide who secures a place in Asia's most prestigious club competition.

Preliminary: Hong Kong Rangers (HKG) 1-4 Haiphong FC (VIE) - AET

Thu, 17 Aug, 2023

Preliminary: Hong Kong Rangers (HKG) 1-4 Haiphong FC (VIE) - AET

Hong Kong: Haiphong FC will take on K-League side Incheon United in the 2023/24 AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 playoffs next week after the Vietnamese club fought back to defeat Hong Kong Rangers 4-1 in extra-time at Mongkok Stadium on Tuesday.

Yuri Mamute scored twice in extra-time while Martin Lo was also on target to secure a
comeback win for the V.League 1 side, who needed a late equaliser from Nguyen Tuan Anh to see off the Hong Kong side after Yumemi Kanda had given the hosts a 41st minute lead.
 
The win takes Haiphong into the meeting with the club from Korea Republic in Incheon next Tuesday after the superior fitness of Chu Dinh Nghiem’s side, currently mid-way through their domestic campaign, paid off against a Rangers side playing their first game of the season.

Preliminary Round 2: FC Merw (TKM) 1-0 FC Alay (KGZ)

Wed, 16 Aug, 2023

Preliminary Round 2: FC Merw (TKM) 1-0 FC Alay (KGZ)

Mary: Musa Nurnazarov's first half strike proved to be the all-important difference as Turkmenistan's FC Merw triumphed 1-0 over FC Alay of Kyrgyz Republic in their AFC Cup™ Preliminary Round 2 match at SportsComplex on Tuesday.

From a corner kick routine in the 13th minute, Nurnazarov headed in a perfect delivery from the left foot of Mukam Nazzyyev to send the home crowd into raptures.
 
Merw will face Tajikistan's FC Khujand in the Playoffs on August 22 for a place in the group stage.