Central Asia Domestic Wrap: Kopetdag lead the way, key dates set in Tajikistan

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Central Asia Domestic Wrap: Kopetdag lead the way, key dates set in Tajikistan

Bishkek: While world football is at a virtual standstill, the game goes on in two Central Asian nations as Turkmenistan and Tajikistan’s competitions continue uninterrupted.

In Turkmenistan, FC Kopetdag are the surprise early league leaders, with the key dates for the Tajikistan season’s official kick-off announced, while FC Istaravshan were crowned Tajikistan Football League Cup winners.

Join the-AFC.com for all the latest news and results from Tursunzoda to Turkmenabat.

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The future: Central Asia teenagers on the verge of stardom

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

The future: Central Asia teenagers on the verge of stardom

Bishkek: While world football awaits its full-scale return, it’s worth remembering the bright future that beckons many of Asia’s talented young players.

Central Asia is a region with a proud footballing past, and the extended outlook appears equally bright with several talented youngsters emerging in recent years.

Join the the-AFC.com as we profile seven youngsters from Asian football’s Central Zone who look poised for long and successful careers in the game.

League Cup success for Istaravshan

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

League Cup success for Istaravshan

Kairakum: FC Istaravshan claimed a rare trophy, picking up pre-season silverware with a 2-1 win over CSKA Dushanbe in the final of the Tajikistan Football League Cup at Bakhoristion Stadium on Wednesday.

Goals from Zufar Akbaraliev and Ilkhomjon Baratov proved decisive for Istaravshan, who appear poised for a competitive campaign when the 2020 Tajik League campaign begins next month.

Istaravshan’s title is their first trophy since lifting the second tier Tajikistan First League title in 2018, and comes less than three years after their promotion from regional football.

The Story Behind: Club Nicknames 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

The Story Behind: Club Nicknames 

Kuala Lumpur: With much of the Continental game on hiatus due to the current Covid-19 outbreak, the-AFC.com introduces a new weekly series, The Story Behind, where we delve deeper to reveal some of Asian football's fascinating flavour.

For the first edition, we look at six different clubs from across the breadth of the Asian Football Confederation and explore the meaning behind their unique team nicknames.

5 of the Best: Acrobatic Goals

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

5 of the Best: Acrobatic Goals

Kuala Lumpur: Goals, goals and more goals from the AFC Cup as this week the-AFC.com looks back on five fantastic efforts by some big-name stars from Syria to Singapore.

After featuring fabulous free-kicks, long-range stunners and individual brilliance, this week's edition takes in one of our most popular categories: acrobatic goals. Athletic, exciting and often jaw-dropping, enjoy these magnificent efforts and then select your favourite by voting at the bottom of the article.

AFC Cup: Magic Moments

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Cup: Magic Moments

Kuala Lumpur: With the 2020 AFC Cup currently on hiatus, we look back at the competition’s rich history by picking out three iconic moments in the first of the-AFC.com’s ‘Magic Moments’ series. 

From ending years of hurt to record-breaking crowds and dramatic late qualification, our inaugural selection features a trio of matches that live long in the memory.

Catley strike seals Melbourne City’s double

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Catley strike seals Melbourne City’s double

Melbourne: Melbourne City put the finishing touches on a dream season, winning the W-League Grand Final with a 1-0 win over Sydney FC on Saturday.

An early goal from Player of the Match Steph Catley proved decisive, as Rado Vidosic’s side continued their stranglehold on the competition at a closed Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

City’s win – their 13th in a row – added the W-League Championship to the Premiership they won earlier in the campaign, making them the first side to complete the double since 2009 and the first ever to win four Championships.