Tokyo Olympics: Australia will be ready for United States, vows Kerr

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics: Australia will be ready for United States, vows Kerr

Yokohama: It was only 10 minutes since the final whistle had blown on Australia’s narrow 1-0 loss to Sweden in the Tokyo Olympics Women’s Football Tournament semi-finals when Sam Kerr explained that it was all still too “fresh” for her to look ahead to the next game – but then the 27-year-old changed her mind: “We know that we’re a special team and we know that we can do something special. Now is the time.

"We won’t be happy coming home empty handed. Unless we go home with something around our neck, it’s going to be a disappointment for us. We have a bronze medal we can still win.”

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/sam_kerr-australia_v_sweden-tokyo_olympics-getty.html

Tokyo Olympics - Preview: USA stand in the way of Australian target

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics - Preview: USA stand in the way of Australian target

Ibaraki: Australia’s Tokyo Olympics women’s football odyssey will come to an end on Thursday, with the result of their match against the United States to determine whether the Matildas depart Japan with their nation’s first ever football medal at the Games.

Tony Gustavsson’s side had their sights set on gold after their epic 4-3 quarter-final victory of Great Britain, but a hard-fought 1-0 defeat to title favourites Sweden means they must now conquer the reigning FIFA Women’s World Cup winners to avoid leaving empty handed.

Tokyo Olympics: Australia’s Gustavsson looks forward to “unfinished business” against USA

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics: Australia’s Gustavsson looks forward to “unfinished business” against USA

Yokohama: A disappointed Tony Gustavsson will turn his focus to Australia’s bronze medal match against the United States, after their bid for Olympic gold was ended by a 1-0 semi-final defeat to Sweden on Monday.

The Matildas had a 42nd-minute Sam Kerr goal disallowed before Fridolina Rolfo struck the decisive blow in the first minute of the second half, taking the unbeaten Swedes through to Friday’s gold medal decider against Canada.

Tokyo Olympics: Japan need to be sharper against Mexico to win bronze, admits Moriyasu

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics: Japan need to be sharper against Mexico to win bronze, admits Moriyasu

Ibaraki: Hajime Moriyasu acknowledged his Japan team needs to improve in front of goal if they are bounce back from the disappointment of their Tokyo Olympics Men's Football semi-final defeat against Spain on Tuesday and claim the country’s first medal in 53 years.

Marco Asensio scored the only goal of the game deep into the second period of extra-time to leave Japan facing the prospect of a bronze medal match against Mexico at Saitama Stadium on Friday.

2021 AFC Cup knockout stage finalised

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2021 AFC Cup knockout stage finalised

Kuala Lumpur: The pathway to the AFC Cup 2021 Final was decided following the completion of the Knockout Stage draw in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Wednesday.

The Knockout Stage virtual draw saw the participating clubs placed in two Pots – West Zone and Inter-Zone Play-off – based on their Zonal representations without any seeding or country protection.

Malaysia’s Soh Chin Ann tops FIFA’s Century Club, five Asian legends in top 10

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Malaysia’s Soh Chin Ann tops FIFA’s Century Club, five Asian legends in top 10

Kuala Lumpur: Five of Asia’s finest players are in the top 10 of FIFA’s Century Club with Malaysia’s Datuk Soh Chin Ann occupying the number one spot.

Soh made 195 international appearances for Malaysia and leads the exclusive circle of players who have played 100 or more "A" internationals for their country.

Asia has 141 representatives in FIFA’s Century Club, with some of the continent's finest players in the list.

Kim excited for new challenge at Hong Kong's Kitchee SC

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Kim excited for new challenge at Hong Kong's Kitchee SC

Hong Kong: Former Korea Republic international Kim Dong-jin has revealed he can't wait to get started in his new role as interim head coach at Kitchee SC after the Hong Kong club made the announcement of his appointment on Monday.

After a successful playing career that included honours in his homeland, Russia and Hong Kong, the 39-year-old hung up his boots following two seasons at Kitchee, where he went on to work as part of the youth set up and, most recently, assistant head coach.

On the back of an impressive performance at the 2021 AFC Champions League group stage in Thailand, head coach Alex Chu Chi-kwong has returned to the director of football role, leaving Kim in charge of first-team duties for the upcoming Hong Kong Premier League season.