AFC confirms media rights deal with Sport 24

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC confirms media rights deal with Sport 24

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has today announced Sport 24 as their in-flight and in-ship partner through to 2024. The IMG-owned and-operated service will broadcast the AFC’s national team and club competitions (excluding domestic rights in China PR, Japan and Australia), including the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ and the AFC Asian Cup China 2023™, as well as the AFC Champions League™.

Launched in 2012, Sport 24 and sister channel Sport 24 Extra are the world’s only live 24/7 sports channels for the in-flight and in-ship industries.

2021 AFC Champions League - Preview: Nagoya Grampus, Daegu FC seek quarter-final high

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2021 AFC Champions League - Preview: Nagoya Grampus, Daegu FC seek quarter-final high

Toyota City: Nagoya Grampus return to the AFC Champions League’s Round of 16 for the first time since 2012 when they take on knockout round newcomers Daegu FC at the City of Toyota Stadium on Tuesday. 

The game sees the two sides face off for the first time in their history with Japan’s Nagoya participating in the AFC Champions League for the fourth time and Korea Republic’s Daegu making just their second appearance.

After a nine-year hiatus on the continent, J1 League side Nagoya are looking to go beyond the last 16 for just the second time, while K League 1 club Daegu are hoping to emulate a number of illustrious Korean teams by going deep into the tournament.

2021 AFC Champions League Round of 16: 5 Things To Look Out For

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2021 AFC Champions League Round of 16: 5 Things To Look Out For

Kuala Lumpur: The 16 remaining sides in the 2021 AFC Champions League will battle it out for a place in quarter-finals in the coming days with eight matches scheduled between Monday and Wednesday as the competition enters its one-legged knockout round format. 

On the back of an incredible 15-game winning run, defending champions Ulsan Hyundai are among the contenders, as are the 2020 runners-up Persepolis FC and former winners Al Hilal SFC, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Pohang Steelers, while newcomers FC Istiklol and BG Pathum United enter the knockout rounds in their debut campaigns.

As the big kick-off fast approaches, the-AFC.com has selected five things to look out for in the days ahead.

2021 AFC Champions League Round of 16 - Ones to Watch

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2021 AFC Champions League Round of 16 - Ones to Watch

Kuala Lumpur: As the 2021 AFC Champions League moves into the knockout stage, we take a look at eight players set to leave their mark as their teams pursue a journey deep into the competition.

With a few weeks and a transfer window sitting between the group stage and the round of 16, a number of players have come in to supplement the already star-studded sides vying for a place in the quarter-final stage.

Vote for your AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar Player of the Week

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vote for your AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar Player of the Week

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar Final Round has well and truly begun, with shock results, moments of inspiration and a handful of outstanding individual performances.

We’ve hand-picked 10 of the very best performers from the opening two Matchdays, with creators, conductors, scorers and shot stoppers all represented in our selection.

Who was the best player in the September window on the Road to Qatar? Study our contenders and don’t forget to cast your vote.

Japan’s pioneering WE League kicks off

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Japan’s pioneering WE League kicks off

Tokyo: Japan’s newly formed professional women’s competition, the WE League, kicked off on Sunday, with five matches played around the country.

Replacing the Nadeshiko League as the pinnacle of women’s football in the country, the inaugural 11-team WE League – named for the acronym of “women’s empowerment” – aims to reposition the women’s game and make stars of its players.

Record-breaking Langerak: There are no limits to what Nagoya Grampus can achieve in the AFC Champions League

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Record-breaking Langerak: There are no limits to what Nagoya Grampus can achieve in the AFC Champions League

Toyota City: With Nagoya Grampus set to return to the AFC Champions League knockout rounds for the first time in nine years when they take on Korea Republic's Daegu FC in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, goalkeeper Mitch Langerak believes anything is possible. 

Making their first appearance since reaching the last 16 in 2012, the Japanese club had few problems in winning Group G back in June and July, when Langerak made his own long-awaited return to the tournament after he left Melbourne Victory for Borussia Dortmund back in 2010.

Eight years in Europe followed before the Australian returned to Asia to join Nagoya in early 2018. And after his first two campaigns ended in bottom-half finishes, a record-breaking 17 clean sheets in the 2020 season helped his side book their ticket back to the continental competition.