East Asia Leagues Wrap: Goals galore as Hong Kong season kicks off

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

East Asia Leagues Wrap: Goals galore as Hong Kong season kicks off

Kuala Lumpur: The Hong Kong Premier League got underway at the weekend with champions Wofoo Tai Po suffering a heavy defeat and the goals raining in on an entertaining opening few days of action. 

Elsewhere in East Asia, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors climbed back to the top of K League 1 in Korea Republic, while the top three in Japan recorded victories ahead of the international break.

Hong Kong's Paatelainen relishing Group C challenge

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Hong Kong's Paatelainen relishing Group C challenge

Kuala Lumpur: Head coach Mixu Paatelainen is hoping he can turn the negative of a difficult draw into a positive for the future of Hong Kong's football when Round 2 of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 begins on Thursday.

Hong Kong will commence their campaign against Cambodia in Phnom Penh before hosting Group C top seeds Islamic Republic of Iran five days later at Hong Kong Stadium in what represents a difficult start to their challenge.

Iraq and Bahrain are also in the group, with the pair meeting in Riffa on Thursday.

A-League appoints first female referee

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

A-League appoints first female referee

Sydney: Australia's Kate Jacewicz created history on Saturday as the first female referee appointed to the A-League Referees Panel.

An eight-time referee-of-the-year in the women's W-League, she was one of 11 officials named on the A-League's referees panel.

"Kate is without doubt one of the leading referees in the world at any level and we congratulate her on the appointment to the A-League referees panel," said Football Federation Australia President Mr. Chris Nikou.

Choi appointed for Korea Republic Olympic push

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Choi appointed for Korea Republic Olympic push

Seoul: The search for the new Korea Republic women’s national team head coach is over, with Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels boss Choi In-cheul appointed on a two-year deal on Thursday.

Choi, who replaces long-term coach Yoon Duk-yeo, will lead the national team for the second time, having also overseen their bronze medal-winning campaign at the 2010 Asian Games.

The two-year contract covers Korea Republic’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games qualifying campaign, with Choi’s position to be re-evaluated prior to the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Central Asian domestic wrap: Ćeran in a league of his own, Nassaji win thriller

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Central Asian domestic wrap: Ćeran in a league of his own, Nassaji win thriller

Bishkek: Uzbekistan’s FC Pakhtakor will go into the international break a stunning 15 points clear on top of the league after another superb display by prolific forward Dragan Ćeran.

Nassaji Mazandaran emerged victorious in a seven-goal bonanza on a weekend where IR Iran’s big names struggled, while leagues in Afghanistan and Kyrgyz Republic also saw meaningful action.

West Asia Domestic Wrap: AFC Champions League hopefuls stay perfect

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

West Asia Domestic Wrap: AFC Champions League hopefuls stay perfect

Riyadh: 2019 AFC Champions League quarter-finalists Al Hilal and Al Nassr continued their perfect starts in the 2019-20 Saudi Pro League while Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions Al Sadd claimed their second win in domestic action over the past week.

Join the-AFC.com as we review the Matchday Two action in the Qatar Stars League, Saudi Pro League and the group stage of the UAE League Cup.

We need to go for the win next, says Guangzhou's Cannavaro

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

We need to go for the win next, says Guangzhou's Cannavaro

Guangzhou: Fabio Cannavaro will be sending his Guangzhou Evergrande side to Japan for the second leg of their 2019 AFC Champions League quarter-final meeting with reigning champions Kashima Antlers looking for victory rather than the score draw that will take them into the last four of the Continental competition.

Guangzhou were held to a 0-0 draw by Go Oiwa’s side on Wednesday, meaning a 1-1 in Japan on September 18 would be enough for the two time champions to advance to the semi-finals for the third time in eight appearances in the competition.

But while the Italian knows a result of that nature will see his team advance at the defending champions’ expense, he still plans to go for the win at Kashima Soccer Stadium.