Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: As we mark 10 years since the historic revamp of the AFC Champions League in 2009, we celebrate five of the greatest number 10s in the competition's history.
Since its inception in 2002, the AFC Champions League has delivered endless moments of magic. Some of the biggest names in Asian football introduced themselves to the continent through this competition, and amongst them were some mesmerising talents who left a lasting legacy through their playmaking and scoring talents.
From multiple-time winners to record breaking scorers, we celebrate five players who added to the glamour and mystique of the number 10 shirt in the AFC Champions League.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/mohammad_al-shalhoub_jpg.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Asia's most prestigious club competition returns in exactly one month with eight of the continent's finest teams vying for four semi-final spots.
It has been five and a half months since Uzbekistan’s Lokomotiv put five past UAE’s Al Wahda to signal an exciting start to the 2018 AFC Champions League group stage. 112 matches and 334 goals later and we are down to eight contestants for the Continental trophy.
Both sides that got us underway exited the competition at the group stage, with the Uzbeks only missing out on a Knockout Stage spot due to an inferior head-to-head record against Islamic Republic of Iran’s Zobahan who nipped second place in Group B. The big winners from the group were Qatar’s Al Duhail, who became just the fourth team in the AFC Champions League history to collect all 18 points in the group stage.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With the 2018 AFC Champions League quarter-finals just over a month away, we look at seven players whose form in the competition can drive them to excel in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in January.
Eight of Asia's biggest club sides are battling for the 2018 AFC Champions League title, and amongst their ranks are some top players hoping to impress their national team managers as we approach the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Some have already shown glimpses of their talents at the FIFA World Cup in Russia, while others are dreaming of one last grand showing before hanging their boots. So let's look at some of the biggest AFC Asian Cup hopefuls featuring in August's AFC Champions League quarter-finals.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Asia’s premier club football competition marked a decade of remarkable progress on Wednesday during the much-anticipated AFC Champions League 2018 Knockout Stage draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur.
The AFC Champions League was launched in 2002 as a successor to the Asian Club Championship, but 2009 marked a historic shift to enhance the stature of the competition and its transformation into one of the world’s best club continental tournaments.
AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John, said: “In 2009, the AFC marked a new era of professionalism in Asian club football. It paved the way for a bigger, better and richer AFC Champions League competition.
“A decade later, we have a club competition few in the world can match. From record attendances to greater fan engagement, the AFC Champions League continues to capture imaginations in Asia and beyond. Above all, it provides the ultimate stage for the stars of the Asian game to shine.
“I would like to thank the clubs, the AFC Member Associations, the fans and our commercial and media partners who have played a pivotal role to ensure the success of the AFC Champions League, not just for this season but for the decades of continental club football.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Tickets for one of the most eagerly-anticipated spectacles in world football - the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 - are available for purchase now on www.the-AFC.com.
After a record-setting group stage performance by Asian teams at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, the eyes of the football world now turn towards the UAE from January 5 – February 1, 2019.
The expanded competition, which is set to welcome an unprecedented 24 teams – eight more than the previous 2015 edition – will take place across eight world-class stadiums in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai and Sharjah, and promises to engage more fans than ever before in the biggest sporting event ever hosted in the region.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: 14 players from five nations represented the 2018 AFC Champions League quarter-finalists at the World Cup. The-AFC.com reviews their performances in Russia.
An Islamic Republic of Iran side featuring seven players plying their trade at Esteghlal, Persepolis and Al Sadd impressed in the World Cup despite exiting at the group stage. Korea Republic stunned reigning champions Germany with two Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors players on the pitch and a third on the bench.
Kashima Antlers’ pair Gen Shoji and Naomichi Ueda reached the Round of 16 with Japan, but Tianjin Quanjian’s Axel Witsel was the AFC Champions League quarter-finalist to go furthest in Russia, helping his Belgium side to a historic third-place finish. Samsung Suwon Bluewings' Matthew Jurman wasn’t as fortunate as his Australia team were eliminated at the group stage.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: Japanese star Keisuke Honda has signed for reigning A-League champions Melbourne Victory with the former AC Milan striker calling it the best club in Australia.
Honda, who retired from international football after Japan's heartbreaking 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia exit in a last-gasp defeat to Belgium, put pen to paper for the 2018/19 season.
"It goes without saying that Keisuke has consistently proven himself at the highest level and we can't wait to see what he can do in Melbourne," said Victory head coach Kevin Muscat.
The talismanic 32-year-old, one of the highest profile names in Asian football, had been a free agent since departing Mexican club Pachuca.
"I am so happy to join the Melbourne Victory. I knew they were interested in me one week after the World Cup," he told Fox Sports.
"I really like a new challenge, that's me. I checked a couple of things. Melbourne Victory is the most successful club in the A-League. That's amazing. They became champs many times," he added.