Spectacular Al Thumama Stadium becomes sixth tournament-ready venue for Qatar 2022

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Spectacular Al Thumama Stadium becomes sixth tournament-ready venue for Qatar 2022

Doha: Qatar’s latest FIFA World Cup™ tournament venue was unveiled on Friday night when Al Thumama Stadium hosted the Amir Cup Final between Al Rayyan and Al Sadd. The stunning venue – which was designed by Qatari architect Ibrahim M. Jaidah – was inaugurated in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of Qatar, as the country marked yet another milestone on the road to 2022.

The inauguration ceremony took place prior to the final and involved local schoolchildren celebrating the design of the stadium. On the pitch, Al Sadd won the final 5-4 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes. It was a record 18th victory in the competition for the Wolves.

AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ Logo launched in glittering opening ceremony

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ Logo launched in glittering opening ceremony

Shanghai: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ today marked a significant milestone with the tournament’s logo launch, which was staged and held in conjunction with the opening ceremony of the competition’s first completed stadium – the Shanghai Pudong Football Stadium.

The dazzling and immersive display showcased the vibrant new logo unveiled through projection mapping and Augmented Reality for the first time in the tournament’s history. 

The new logo was launched by Vice Minister of the General Administration of Sports of China and Executive Chairman of the AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ LOC, H.E. Du Zhaocai, who is also a FIFA Council member, together with the main leaders from the 10 host cities, who also revealed the Host City logos in the first on-ground milestone event of the tournament, which will be held from June 16 to July 16, 2023. 

Al Sadd edge Al Rayyan on penalties to lift Qatar Emir Cup trophy

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Sadd edge Al Rayyan on penalties to lift Qatar Emir Cup trophy

Doha: Al Sadd SC added more silverware to their trophy cabinet after defeating Al Rayyan 5-4 on penalties in the 2021 Qatar Amir Cup final at the sparkling new Al Thumama Stadium on Friday.

Al Sadd, however, had to come from behind to force the shootout with Al Rayyan having taken the lead from a Yacine Brahimi penalty just before the break. 

AFC U23 Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers: Ones to Watch

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC U23 Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers: Ones to Watch

Kuala Lumpur: The 2022 AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifying campaign kicks off on Saturday with 39 teams from across the continent battling it out for the 15 remaining places at the tournament in Uzbekistan next year.

As ever, some of Asia’s finest young talent will be on display in the 11 qualifying groups, and the-AFC.com has identified some of the key players to look out for.

Vote for your Best Goal of the 2021 AFC Champions League Quarter and Semi-Finals

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vote for your Best Goal of the 2021 AFC Champions League Quarter and Semi-Finals

Kuala Lumpur: The 2021 AFC Champions League finalists have been confirmed after an action-packed few days which saw both the quarter-finals and the semi-finals held in Saudi Arabia and Korea Republic.

The six games produced some incredible drama with sizzling action, penalty shootouts and, of course, some stunning goals. The-AFC.com has selected five of the best and ask you, the fans, to vote for your favourite at the foot of the article.

Grant: Pohang Steelers have the belief to go all the way

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Grant: Pohang Steelers have the belief to go all the way

Jeonju: An emotional Alex Grant hailed Pohang Steelers’ ‘amazing achievement’ after a penalty shootout win over arch-rivals and holders Ulsan Hyundai saw the Australian defender and his teammates into the 2021 AFC Champions League final.

Following a goalless first half, the defending champions took the lead on 52 minutes via Yun Il-lok’s close-range finish but after captain Won Du-jae’s 68th minute sending off Pohang took full advantage of their numerical superiority with Grant rising highest to head home the equaliser a minute before normal time.

Grant’s fellow defender Dave Bulthuis then missed the opening spot-kick for Ulsan with the remainder of the penalties coolly converted by both sides leaving captain Kang Sang-woo to net the winner for Pohang.

Nasaf's Berdiev congratulates players, but warns of Alikulov absence

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Nasaf's Berdiev congratulates players, but warns of Alikulov absence

Nasaf: Head coach Ruzikul Berdiev congratulated his FC Nasaf players on reaching the 2021 AFC Cup final, but warned that they may need to play the decider without Khusniddin Alikulov, after Wednesday’s 3-2 extra-time win over Lee Man of Hong Kong.

Strong favourites to advance in front of a 10,000-strong crowd at Markaziy Stadium, the Uzbekistan Super League side looked a class above in the first half, going ahead within four minutes through a Fernando Recio own goal before Khusain Norchaev doubled the lead with his seventh goal of the tournament. 

But Lee Man refused to wilt, and managed to force extra-time after goals from Gil Martins and Jose Angel, before substitute Andrija Kaluđerović delivered the decisive goal in the 106th minute to spark jubilant scenes of celebration.

AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ set to inspire young girls

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ set to inspire young girls

New Delhi: The impending football fever in India is fast approaching for Asia’s flagship tournament for women’s football - the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™, which is set to commence on January 20 next year. 

The best 12 teams from the Continent will battle it out for the top honours in the competition which will be played across Navi Mumbai, Mumbai and Pune till February 6, 2022.
 
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which unveiled ‘Our Goal for All’ as the official tagline of the prestigious tournament on the 100 days to go milestone date, have confirmed 10 teams for the competition and two more teams will be finalised this week.