Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: When Jay Bothroyd departed England to join Thailand’s Muangthong United in early 2014, few would have predicted he would wind up a firm fans’ favourite in the far north of Japan several years later, but the London native has done exactly that after making East Asia his home away from home.
A product of Arsenal’s youth academy, the now 38-year-old spent a year in Italy with Serie A side Perugia in the early 2000s and earned his only England cap – against France – when with second-tier side Cardiff City in 2010, before joining newly promoted Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League the following year.
After two years with his hometown club – which included a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday – the opportunity of a move to Bangkok arose. Speaking exclusively to the-AFC.com, Bothroyd reflects on five years that have seen him swap the Thai capital for Japan, joining first Jubilo Iwata and then Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, where he continues to find the back of the net with regularity.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/jay_bothroyd_2.html
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www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/consadole_sapporo_team.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/jay_bothroyd_4.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: It's hard to beat the feeling of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat at the very last, and this week's '5 of the Best' highlights some of the most dramatic climaxes ever seen in the AFC Champions League.
From elation in Osaka to joy in Jeddah and fantastic finishes in Dubai, Sydney and Tehran, our latest edition shines the spotlight on the magical moments that help make the beautiful game the most watched sport in the world.
Also take a look at past editions that feature acrobatic goals, solo goals, volleys, long-range screamers, chips, free-kicks, flicks, tricks and backheels, saves and curlers.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Shanghai: Japanese anime has, amazingly, made a big impact on some great footballers and former China PR women's national team goalkeeper Zhao Lina is no different.
Hidetoshi Nakata decided to pursue a footballing career after watching Captain Tsubasa while the likes of James Rodriguez, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi all drew various inspirations from the created heroes during their early days.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Beirut: The word ‘impossible’ is not one you will find in Osama Omari's dictionary. The talented midfielder aspires to lead Syria to their maiden FIFA World Cup in two years’ time in Qatar, the country where he plays his club football with Al-Kharaitiyat.
Omari and his teammates are determined to emulate and, hopefully, eclipse their performance from the Asian Qualifiers for Russia 2018, when they managed to make the play-off only to lose to Australia.
After a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Malaysia, Syria moved tantalisingly close to an Intercontinental play-off berth when Omar Al Somah gave Ayman Hakeem’s charges the lead. However, a brace from Socceroo legend Tim Cahill shattered Syria’s dreams and secured his side a 3-2 aggregate win and a showdown with Honduras.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
London: Song Heung-min has resumed training with Tottenham Hotspur after completing a three-week compulsory military training in Korea Republic.
Son rejoined his Tottenham teammates in training ahead of the English Premier League's expected resumption in June.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia giants Al Nassr are widely known among their fans as "The International Club" after they become the first team from Asia to feature in the FIFA Club World Cup in the inaugural edition in 2000.
Al Nassr's run to the FIFA Club World Cup and its unique nickname started through their triumph in the 1997-1998 Asian Cup Winners’ Cup, which was followed by the Saudi side winning the Asian Super Cup which earned them a ticket to play in Brazil 2000.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: So much of a club, city or country's history can be depicted within the small emblem normally seen in the top left of a football jersey, and in our latest edition of 'The Story Behind' we take another look at the fascinating tales of the team badges of six more sides from across Asia.
From the United Arab Emirates in the West to Japan in the East, with a number of stop-offs in between, here's the-AFC.com's selection of six clubs with interesting stories behind the badges that they proudly display on their chests.
See also:
The Story Behind: Club Nicknames
The Story Behind: Club Badges - Part One