‘The next step is to be world No. 1': Urawa stars react to title triumph

Wed, 10 May, 2023

‘The next step is to be world No. 1': Urawa stars react to title triumph

Saitama: Urawa Red Diamonds created history by winning their third AFC Champions League™ title last Saturday when they defeated Al Hilal SFC 1-0 on the night to claim a 2-1 aggregate win in front of a rapturous Saitama Stadium. 

Andre Carrillo’s own goal early in the second half was enough to win it for Urawa, who added to the titles they won at the same venue in 2007 and 2017 as they also got revenge for their defeat to Al Hilal in Saitama in the 2019 final.
 
Following a night that will live long in the memory, not least because of the incredible atmosphere generated by the 53,000 inside the stadium, the-AFC.com looks back at what those involved from the winning side had to say. 

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#ACL2022 Final: 2nd Leg in Numbers

Mon, 08 May, 2023

#ACL2022 Final: 2nd Leg in Numbers

Saitama: The AFC Champions League™ 2022 drew to a thrilling close on Saturday as Urawa Red Diamonds edged Al Hilal SFC 1-0 at Saitama Stadium to claim a 2-1 aggregate victory and be crowned continental champions for the third time.

In a tense second leg it was Urawa who made the breakthrough early in the second half when Andre Carrillo’s unfortunate own goal proved the only goal of the game as the J1 League side delighted a home support that had created an atmosphere worthy of the occasion.
 
As fans of Asian football now start to look forward to the AFC Champions League 2023-24 campaign later in the year, the-AFC.com highlights some of the numbers that caught the eye on a special night in Saitama.

Europe Wrap: Kim wins Scudetto; Kubo stuns Real

Tue, 09 May, 2023

Europe Wrap: Kim wins Scudetto; Kubo stuns Real

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic defender Kim Min-jae scripted history with Napoli when Luciano Spalletti’s side secured their first Serie A title since 1990 after a 1-1 draw with Udinese on Thursday confirmed the Scudetto triumph with five games remaining of the league campaign in Italy. 

In Spain, Japan star Takefusa Kubo and Real Sociedad added an upset of Real Madrid to their already impressive season as the 21-year-old found the breakthrough in a 2-0 win against his former side – a result which also moved the Basque club closer to a first UEFA Champions League berth in 10 years. 
 
Australian tactician Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic emerged the champions of Scotland, Samurai Blue star Daichi Kamada scored to send Frankfurt to the DFB Pokal final in Germany and Islamic Republic of Iran striker Mehdi Taremi’s Porto booked their ticket to the Portuguese cup final, so join the-AFC.com as we look at how the Asian stars performed in Europe in the past week. 

#AsianCup2023 - Know Your Teams (Part 1)

Wed, 10 May, 2023

#AsianCup2023 - Know Your Teams (Part 1)

Doha: The draw for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ will be held at the Katara Opera House in Doha on Thursday.

The draw culminates a qualifying process which kicked off in June 2019 with 24 teams to vie for the title on January 12 to February 10, 2024.
 
In the first part of our series, the-AFC.com takes a look at the journey that took 12 teams to the Finals.

#AsianCup2023 - Know Your Teams (Part 2)

Wed, 10 May, 2023

#AsianCup2023 - Know Your Teams (Part 2)

Doha: The draw for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ will be held at the Katara Opera House in Doha on Thursday.

The draw culminates a qualifying process which kicked off in June 2019 with 24 teams to vie for the title on January 12 to February 10, 2024.
 
In the second part of our series, the-AFC.com takes a look at how the other 12 teams made the Finals.

Trip down Memory Lane

Mon, 08 May, 2023

Trip down Memory Lane

Doha: The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ has all the ingredients to be a thrilling affair with the draw set to be held at the Katara Opera House in Doha on Thursday.

While Qatar's fabulous triumph in the UAE 2019 edition is still fresh in the minds of fans, the AFC Asian Cup has never failed to thrill in all the previous editions.
 
Join the-AFC.com as we take a trip down memory lane ahead of the draw for the 18th edition of the continental showpiece.

Star-studded cast at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Final Draw

Wed, 03 May, 2023

Star-studded cast at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Final Draw

Doha: A glittering cast of Asian football’s who’s who will add lustre to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Final Draw ceremony on Thursday in Doha, Qatar, when Asia’s top 24 teams discover their path to ultimate glory amidst the glamorous setting of the Katara Opera House.

No less than seven Asian football luminaries will be present to lend a helping hand to the chief draw conductor AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John in unveiling the fate of the teams in the four pots when the highly anticipated spectacle kicks off at 2pm Qatar time. 

Test Your AFC Asian Cup™ Knowledge!

Sun, 07 May, 2023

Test Your AFC Asian Cup™ Knowledge!

Kuala Lumpur: The draw for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ will be held at the Katara Opera House in Doha on Thursday.

As excitement peaks and the teams eager to know their opponents, the-AFC.com asks you - the fans - to test your knowledge on the continent’s premier national team tournament.