Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Seven points is the difference at the top of the J.League and Chinese Super League after FC Tokyo and Guangzhou Evergrande enjoyed excellent weekends.
Elsewhere in East Asia, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are closing in on Ulsan Hyundai in Korea Republic and things remain neck-and-neck in Chinese Taipei and Mongolia. Here’s our look back at the action across the region.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Ibaraki: Kashima Antlers will be targeting revenge when they face Guangzhou Evergrande in the quarter-finals of the 2019 AFC Champions League, with Shoma Doi determined to turn the tables on the Chinese side following elimination by the same opponents in the 2017 edition.
Doi played in both legs when Kashima slid out at the Round of 16 phase at the hands of the Chinese Super League club – and two-time AFC Champions League winners – as Antlers continued a dismal record of failing to advance to the last eight for the fourth time since 2009.
But, with their confidence since boosted by their first-ever title win last year, Doi is convinced he and his teammates can avenge that loss and keep alive their dream of claiming back-to-back AFC Champions League crowns.
Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Manchester: Lee Geum-min has become the latest Korea Republic women’s national team star to join an English club, signing a two-season deal with 2018-19 FA Women’s Super League heavyweights Manchester City.
The 25-year-old arrives at the club from Korean outfit Gyeongju KHNP FC, following in the footsteps of national team colleagues Ji So-yun and Cho So-hyun, who have both impressed in England.
In joining Manchester City, Lee becomes teammates with some of the stars of the English game, including national team captain Steph Houghton and six-goal FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 striker Ellen White.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Hagåtña: Guam Football Association has become the beneficiary of the first ever FIFA Income Generation Project through the installation of solar panels at its headquarters and technical centre.
The project, in co-operation with Yingli Solar Energy, will help the relevant authorities save up to 95 percent of the standard energy consumption and therefore increase the football body’s investment in football-specific activities.
The FIFA Executive Committee approved the FIFA Income Generation Programme in 2011, a special initiative aimed at adapting FIFA’s development activities to the changing landscape. Its main purpose is to encourage revenue creation in 50 member associations with high football development potential.
“One of the many benefits of the installation of solar panels at the Guam Football Association (GFA) National Training Center is the reduction in utility costs,” GFA President Richard Lai was quoted as saying by FIFA.com.
“With the rising cost of fuel, we felt that we had to do our part to use alternative sources of energy to help ease the strain on Guam Power Authority, which supplies electricity to homes and businesses. The solar panels are expected to produce about $81,900 worth of electricity per year, which could essentially zero out Guam FA's electricity bills. The money saved can then be allocated to other developmental programmes - whether it is one for youth, one for grassroots coaches, officials, or others.
“The solar panel project is one of our many sustainability efforts. We've seen a great reduction in costs associated with water consumption after the construction of artificial turf pitches, thanks to grants from FIFA's Goal Project programme. We expect to see similar reductions in terms of electricity costs.”
FIFA Director Member Associations and Development Thierry Regenass has noted that the first project in Guam has met the purpose of the Income Generation Programme and will directly benefit the GFA.
“The implementation of this first ever Income Generation Project in Guam is a very positive step for the GFA, who will directly benefit from the initiative, and for football in Guam, since the GFA will now be able to use some of their existing resources for football development purposes,” he said.
“And finally, for FIFA, as this type of result – saving or generating more income to allow higher investment in development – is what we aimed for when the Income Generation Programme was created.
“We will continue monitoring the results of this project, and look forward to implement other successful Income Generation initiatives.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With the transfer window set to close soon, teams are bolstering their ranks with various national leagues kicking off over the coming days.
The-AFC.com highlights the ins and outs across the Continent.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Uzbekistan pace-setters Pakhtakor capped an emotional weekend by extending their Super League lead to 13 points, while the Kyrgyz Premier League returned with a deluge of goals as Central Asia’s top-flight competitions continued to take shape.
Elsewhere, Turkmenistan’s FC Shagadam suffered a major setback in their bid for a first title since 2002, while FC Istiklol continued their march towards a sixth successive domestic crown in Tajikistan.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The-AFC.com has announced that Al Nassr's Abderrazak Hamdallah is the winner of this week’s Goal of the Week presented by Allianz for the first leg of the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16.