Pinto names squad for UAE friendlies against Tajikistan and Bahrain

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Pinto names squad for UAE friendlies against Tajikistan and Bahrain

Dubai: UAE national team head coach Jorge Luis Pinto has called 27 players for a preparatory camp in Dubai.

The week-long camp starts on Monday with UAE playing Tajikistan in a friendly three days later before facing Bahrain on November 16.

Bracket Challenge – RO16: Thiha Zaw (Ayeyawady United) v Nguyen Van Quyet (Hanoi FC)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Bracket Challenge – RO16: Thiha Zaw (Ayeyawady United) v Nguyen Van Quyet (Hanoi FC)

Kuala Lumpur: The final match-up in the AFC Cup Bracket Challenge Round of 16 will decide the last player to reach the quarter-finals as we continue our quest to find out what you, the fans, consider the greatest goal in the competition from the past decade. 

It's another day of regional rivalry, too, as Thiha Zaw of Myanmar's Ayeyawady United faces off against Nguyen Van Quyet from Vietnam's Hanoi FC as the ASEAN stars bid to continue deeper into the tournament.

Bracket Challenge – RO16: Ali Ashfaq (New Radiant) v Sohel Rana (Abahani Limited Dhaka)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Bracket Challenge – RO16: Ali Ashfaq (New Radiant) v Sohel Rana (Abahani Limited Dhaka)

Kuala Lumpur: After an all-India pairing in Thursday's AFC Cup Bracket Challenge, the-AFC.com returns with another South Asia clash as the Maldives takes on Bangladesh. 

Next up Maldivian superstar Ali Ashfaq's stupendous solo goal for New Radiant in 2013 goes up against a Sohel Rana screamer for Abahani Limited Dhaka in the 2019 campaign.

The most popular football clubs: IR Iran

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

The most popular football clubs: IR Iran

Tehran: As the 2020-21 Iran Pro League season gets underway over the weekend, the-AFC.com looks at Islamic Republic of Iran’s most supported football clubs in the latest part of this series.

With a population of over 80 million, Iran is West Asia’s most populous nation and home to arguably the region’s most passionate football fans. Tehran’s Azadi Stadium boasts the record for highest attendance in AFC Asian Cup history, as 100,000 fans watched Team Melli beat Kuwait 1-0 in the 1976 final.

Surveying the club scene in the country and taking into consideration factors such as historical success and fan base, we have selected five teams as IR Iran’s most popular. It is now up to you to review the nominees and vote for your favourite Iranian club.

AFC Champions League – The Expert's View: Dejan Damjanovic

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Champions League – The Expert's View: Dejan Damjanovic

Daegu: AFC Champions League legend Dejan Damjanovic runs the rule over the players and teams who are set to make an impact when the Continental action resumes on November 18. 

The tournament's second highest all-time goalscorer, Montengrin striker Dejan Damjanovic is one of the AFC Champions League's most familiar faces having represented FC Seoul, Beijing FC and Suwon Samsung Bluewings in the competition.

United City win 2020 Philippines Football League title

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

United City win 2020 Philippines Football League title

Cavite: United City FC (UCFC) emerged 2020 Philippines Football League champions after defeating Stallion-Laguna 7-1 on Friday, clinching the title with a match to spare.

Spanish striker Bienvenido Maranon scored a hat-trick at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite as UCFC turned on the style after leading 2-1 at half time for their fourth victory in as many matches in the shortened PFL season.

UCFC are four points clear of Kaya-Iloilo, who were held 0-0 by Mendiola FC 1991 earlier on Friday, allowing UCFC to continue the winning tradition of their predecessors Ceres-Negros, who won the first three editions of the PFL.

In-form Tang talks up China PR's Olympic hopes

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

In-form Tang talks up China PR's Olympic hopes

Beijing: China PR's Olympic hopes hinge on February's crunch AFC qualifying play-off against Korea Republic. With the stakes high and no margin for error in their bid to reach Women's Olympic Football Tournament Tokyo 2021, the Steel Roses will be hoping Tang Jiali reproduces the goalscoring form which saw her finish as the team's top scorer during the preliminary competition's group campaign.

Nine months ago, the dynamic China PR No 9 announced her emergence on the continental scene by scoring four goals in just three matches, including a spectacular effort in the 1-1 draw against Australia.