Taremi, Tomiyasu, Son and Kerr: Vote for your AFC International Player of the Week!

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Taremi, Tomiyasu, Son and Kerr: Vote for your AFC International Player of the Week!

Kuala Lumpur: Dashing debuts, derby delight and goals of the highest order were on the menu as Asia’s top players outside the continent flew the flag high.

This week’s action brought sensational goals in Portugal and France, two of East Asia’s biggest stars faced off in London, while two Australians made superb first impressions in Britain. Based on matches played from September 22 to 29, study our list of contenders, and don’t forget to register your vote.

Vote for your AFC International Player of the Week!

AO Tanaka included in Japan's squad for AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar challenge

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AO Tanaka included in Japan's squad for AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar challenge

Tokyo: Midfielder Ao Tanaka has been recalled to the Japan squad for next month’s meetings with Saudi Arabia and Japan in the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar.

The former Kawasaki Frontale player was a key member of Japan’s Olympic team as Hajime Moriyasu led the country to the semi-finals of the tournament on home soil, but he was not selected for the Asian Qualifiers' ties against Oman and China PR last month.
 
The Japanese lost their opening game against the Omanis before handing Li Tie’s team a 1-0 defeat in Doha to sit in fourth place in Group B with three points from their first two matches.
 

Al Dawsari among injured trio to miss Saudi Arabia’s ties against Japan, China PR

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Dawsari among injured trio to miss Saudi Arabia’s ties against Japan, China PR

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia national team head coach Hervé Renard will be without three key players for the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar matches against Japan and China PR next month.

Abdullah Otayf, Salem Al Dawsari and Mohammed Al Burayk were all left out due to injuries while Abdullah Al Hamdan and Ali Al Asmari were dropped by Renard.

Latest update on the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Latest update on the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed Qatar as the neutral venue for the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ Group A tie between Iraq and Lebanon as well as the Group B match between Australia and Oman scheduled for Thursday, October 7, 2021.

The Socceroos, who are the current Group B leaders after registering successive victories in September’s opening round of matches, as well as Iraq, who have registered a point in Group A, will both continue to play their home matches in a neutral venue.

Both matches will be played at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha with the Iraq and Lebanon showdown taking place at 5:30pm (local time) before Australia and Oman face-off four hours later.

Meanwhile, Korea Republic’s Group A home tie against opponents Syria scheduled for October 7, will be held at the Ansan Wa Stadium at 8:00pm (local time).

France’s FIFA World Cup winner Nzonzi joins Al Rayyan

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

France’s FIFA World Cup winner Nzonzi joins Al Rayyan

Doha: Eight-time Qatar League champions Al Rayyan continued their recent spree of impressive signings by announcing they have brough FIFA World Cup winner Steven Nzonzi on board.

Nzonzi, who featured for France in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, has signed a two-year contract with Al Rayyan.

Fabio Cannavaro leaves Guangzhou FC

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Fabio Cannavaro leaves Guangzhou FC

Hong Kong: Two-time AFC Champions League winners Guangzhou FC have parted company with head coach Fabio Cannavaro by mutual consent, the Chinese Super League outfit announced on Tuesday.

The Italian, who was in his second stint with the club, had been due to return to Guangzhou last Thursday having led his squad through the first phase of the Chinese Super League campaign earlier in the year.

His failure to arrive in China as scheduled sparked media speculation he was leaving the club almost four years after joining Guangzhou for a second time following an initial seven-month spell from November 2014 to June 2015.

2021 AFC Cup: The Stats Leaders

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2021 AFC Cup: The Stats Leaders

Kuala Lumpur: With just three ties remaining in the 2021 AFC Cup, the-AFC.com takes a closer look at the numbers that caught the eye following the conclusion of the first phase of knockout stage clashes.

From high-scoring forwards to those that create the goals and win the ball back, we shine the spotlight on the players whose statistics stood out as the continental competition nears its exciting climax.