Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: India captain Sunil Chhetri will be rooting for the Asian teams in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
Asia will have a record five teams - Australia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Korea Republic, Japan and Saudi Arabia - competing in Russia 2018 and Chhetri, who recently equalled Lionel Messi of Argentina on 64 international goals, hopes all do well.
"As an Asian, I am going to root for them and I just hope they have a fantastic World Cup." said the Blue Tigers' talisman, whose two goals gave India a 2-0 win over Kenya to clinch the Intercontinental Cup 2018 on Sunday.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: China PR legend Sun Jihai is optimistic that Asia's five teams will do the Continent proud in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
The former Manchester City stalwart said Asian football has been progressing rapidly and Asia's five teams - Australia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Korea Republic, Japan and Saudi Arabia - will surely do their best in Russia 2018.
"Their target, besides advancing to the Knockout Stage, will be to show that Asian teams are closing in on European and South American sides," said Sun Jihai in an exclusive interview with the-AFC.com.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Just under 52 years ago, DPR Korea made World Cup history by becoming the first Asian nation to reach the quarter-finals. the-AFC.com rewinds to that historic achievement.
Eleven years after the foundation of AFC, DPR Korea were pitted against Australia, South Africa and Korea Republic in the first round of qualifying for the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England. South Africa was then banned by FIFA due to apartheid, and Korea Republic withdrew, leaving DPR Korea and Australia to compete for the World Cup ticket.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: As coaches announce their national team squads ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the eight AFC Champions League quarter-finalists are sending 14 players to the global event in Russia.
With the final eight of the 2018 AFC Champions League decided and the draw conducted, eyes of Asian football fans turn to Russia for the FIFA World Cup, where five Asian nations will be present. Fans of AFC Champions League quarter-finalists will have one eye on their respective clubs' players looking to make a name for themselves in Russia.
A total of 14 players will be representing seven of the eight finalists, testament to the growing profile of the top club competition in Asia. Qatar's Al Duhail are the only side of the eight with no representatives amongst the 736 players competing for international glory next month.