2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage – 5 of the Best: Free-Kicks

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage – 5 of the Best: Free-Kicks

Kuala Lumpur: The-AFC.com's '5 of the Best' series kicked off last week with some of the best goals from the 2021 AFC Champions League group stage, and this entry will not disappoint as we look back at some delightful dead-ball deliveries.

After opening with the finest long-range screamers this week's selection sees stunning set-piece specials from some of the biggest names of the continental game including Cazorla, Olunga and Hartmann so review the nominees and vote for your favourite in the poll below!

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/santi_cazorla_al_nassr_vs_al_sadd_sc.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/michael_olunga_al_duhail_sc_vs_al_ahli_saudi_fc.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/liang_shaowen_united_city_fc_vs_beijing_fc.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/an_yong-woo_daegu_fc_vs_united_city.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/_mark_hartmann_beijing_fc_vs_united_city_fc.html

5 of the Best #ACL2021 - Free-Kicks

Tokyo Olympics - Preview: Japan's Moriyasu calls for focus ahead of France showdown

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics - Preview: Japan's Moriyasu calls for focus ahead of France showdown

Yokohama: Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu has called on his players to maintain their focus ahead of their crucial clash with France as the Olympic Games hosts eye a place in the knockout rounds of the men’s football tournament on Wednesday.

A draw will be enough for the Japanese to seal top spot in Group A and set up a quarter-final meeting with the runners-up from Group B as the nation looks to secure their first Olympic medal in 53 years.

The Japanese go into the game off the back of consecutive wins over South Africa and Mexico, but Moriyasu is taking nothing for granted against a French side that needs to win to have any hope of advancing.

Tokyo Olympics - Preview: Saudi Arabia chase history against Brazil despite early exit

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics - Preview: Saudi Arabia chase history against Brazil despite early exit

Saitama: It is back where it all started for Saudi Arabia as they conclude their Tokyo 2020 Men's Football campaign on Wednesday with a repeat of their first-ever Olympics football match against reigning champions Brazil at Saitama Stadium, having already been eliminated from Group D.

Defeats in two closely fought encounters against Côte d'Ivoire and Germany meant the young Green Falcons’ hopes were dashed ahead of the final matchday, but there is still reason for Salem Al Dawsari and company to fight as they dream of a first-ever win in the Olympics for Saudi Arabia.

Tokyo Olympics – Preview: Australia confident of plugging gaps in crucial Egypt clash

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics – Preview: Australia confident of plugging gaps in crucial Egypt clash

Rifu: Coming into the final match of Group C needing only a point against Egypt to advance to the Tokyo Olympics Men's Football tournament knockout stage looks a golden opportunity for Australia but they will have to overcome significant personnel losses to get the result they need.

It is a scenario that any Australian would have gleefully signed up for before the competition began.

Drawn into the tournament’s group of death – re-framed as the “group of dreams” by their upbeat head coach Graham Arnold – the Olyroos stunned Argentina 2-0 in their opening match, then held Spain scoreless for 80 minutes before finally succumbing to a 1-0 defeat.

Tokyo Olympics – Preview: Korea Republic eye place in quarter-finals as Honduras rematch looms

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics – Preview: Korea Republic eye place in quarter-finals as Honduras rematch looms

Yokohama: Korea Republic's destiny is in their own hands as they aim to advance to the Tokyo Olympics Men's Football tournament knockout rounds ahead of their final Group B game against familiar foes Honduras on Wednesday. 

Bronze medalists in 2012, Korea have made the quarter-finals in three of the past four editions of the Games and, currently sat top of Group B on goal difference, they need only a point against Honduras at Yokohama International Stadium to secure qualification.

But with all four teams in the group – the others being New Zealand and Romania – sat level on three points following a win and a defeat each, the situation could barely be any closer ahead of the final round of fixtures.

Tokyo Olympics: “Qualification is in our hands” says Australia’s Arnold despite Spain defeat

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics: “Qualification is in our hands” says Australia’s Arnold despite Spain defeat

Sapporo: Graham Arnold remains confident that his Australian side will advance to the Tokyo Olympics Men’s Football quarter-finals despite falling to a late 1-0 defeat against Spain on Sunday.

With a primarily domestic-based line-up, the Olyroos ceded possession and created few chances, but kept a team which featured several starters from the Spanish senior side which reached the UEFA Euro 2020 semi-finals scoreless until Mikel Oyarzabal netted a decisive 80th-minute header.

Tokyo Olympics: Yoshida shifts focus to France as Japan aim to book quarter-final spot in style

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics: Yoshida shifts focus to France as Japan aim to book quarter-final spot in style

Saitama: No sooner had Japan notched up a second successive win at the Tokyo Olympics Men's Football tournament than captain Maya Yoshida was switching his focus to his side’s final Group A game against France in Yokohama on Wednesday.

Takefusa Kubo and Ritsu Doan scored in the first 11 minutes to send Japan on their way to a 2-1 win over Mexico at Saitama Stadium that gives Hajime Moriyasu’s side six points from their first two games having already defeated South Africa.