Bright start for title holders Japan

Fri, 12 Aug, 2022

Bright start for title holders Japan

Alajuela: Japan kicked off their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title defence with a 1-0 win over Netherlands in Group D on Thursday. 

Yuzuki Yamamoto’s first half goal proved enough for the young Nadeshiko to bag all three points to sit second behind USA, who beat Ghana 3-0 in the day’s earlier fixture.

Japan will face Ghana next on Sunday.

Join the AFC Champions League™ 2022 Fan Quiz

Tue, 09 Aug, 2022

Join the AFC Champions League™ 2022 Fan Quiz

Kuala Lumpur: With the AFC Champions League™ 2022 action set to return on August 18, the Continent’s passionate fans will be given the unique opportunity to showcase their passion and test their knowledge of Asia’s most premier club competition.

The AFC Champions League™ 2022 Fan Quiz will see the winner and a companion travel to the second leg of the two-legged Final to be held in the East on February 26, 2023 where the Champions of Asia will be determined. 

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.

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. 

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.