Asia’s daily football news brief

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asia’s daily football news brief

Kuala Lumpur: Asian football never sleeps, and we’ve gathered the latest news from around the continent in one place.

In our Wednesday wrap; the Jordanian national team gears up for a key training camp, Australia’s U23s to take on ACL-bound Sydney FC in a friendly and Kyrgyz Republic youngster Gulzhigit Alykulov wins the title in Kazakhstan.

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Korea Republic's focus will be on performance against Mexico, Qatar, says Bento

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Korea Republic's focus will be on performance against Mexico, Qatar, says Bento

Seoul: Korea Republic will be focused on improvement rather than revenge when they play Mexico and Qatar in international friendlies later this month.

In what will be the Taeguk Warriors first international matches of 2020, Paulo Bento's side will play Mexico on November 14 and Qatar three days later in Vienna, Austria.

Mexico defeated Korea Republic in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 while Qatar defeated them in the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, with the West Asians going on to lift the continental title.

Qatar's Almoez Ali determined to keep learning in chase of more glory

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Qatar's Almoez Ali determined to keep learning in chase of more glory

Doha: Almoez Ali says emerging topscorer of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 has put him on the road towards excellence, with the experience having helped him learn how to cope with pressure as the Qatar ace looks forward to more challenges.

Ali stole the show at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, where his record breaking goal tally played a pivotal role in Qatar winning their maiden Continental title.

Ali, then 22, capped a phenomenal tournament by brilliantly juggling the ball twice before sending a spectacular overhead kick beyond the reach of Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda 12 minutes into the final.

That took his tally to nine goals - an AFC Asian Cup record - as Qatar went on to win the final 3-1.

Korea Republic great Lee Dong-gook retires in style

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Korea Republic great Lee Dong-gook retires in style

Seoul: Celebrated Korea Republic striker Lee Dong-gook bowed out as a K-League champion for the eighth time as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors beat Daegu FC 2-0 to seal the title in his final game.

The 41-year-old played the full 90 minutes in his 548th K-league match, but did not add to his record tally of 228 goals in the competition.

Lee, who played for Korea Republic at two FIFA World Cups, is also the top-scorer in the AFC Champions League with 37 goals.

Pakistan women’s team boosted by training camp

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Pakistan women’s team boosted by training camp

Lahore: Pakistan’s women players are looking forward to more camps and a return to competitive action following the conclusion of a one-week training camp in Lahore.

The training camp – the first in seven years - kicked off on October 26 with 30 players attending. 

PFF national technical director Daniel Limones supervised the camp along with coaches Qibtia Jamshed Butt, Mohsin-ul-Hasnain and Khurram Shehzad.

Sousa: Dubai training camp extremely important for Bahrain 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Sousa: Dubai training camp extremely important for Bahrain 

Dubai:  Head coach Helio Sousa is aiming to get a lot of groundwork done during Bahrain's training camp in Dubai.

The camp is ahead of three friendly matches Bahrain will play against Tajikistan (November 7), Lebanon (November 12) and the UAE (November 16) as the West Asian side kick off their preparations for the resumption of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Guangzhou Evergrande, Jiangsu Suning to square off in Chinese Super League final

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Guangzhou Evergrande, Jiangsu Suning to square off in Chinese Super League final

Suzhou: Defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande will take on Jiangsu Suning in the final of the Chinese Super League playoffs next week after Fabio Cannavaro’s side handed Beijing FC a 3-1 defeat and Jiangsu eliminated 2018 winners Shanghai SIPG on Monday.

Anderson Talisca and Paulinho gave Cannavaro’s side a two-goal lead by the 57th minute and, although Zhang Yuning pulled one back just after the hour mark for Beijing, Evergrande kept their hopes of a ninth Chinese Super League title on track as Paulinho added a late third.

Jiangsu earned their place in the final at the expense of 2018 champions Shanghai SIPG despite playing more than an hour with 10 men against Vitor Pereira’s side.