Castro proud of Al Nassr's perseverance

Wed, 23 Aug, 2023

Castro proud of Al Nassr's perseverance

Riyadh: Head coach Luis Castro praised his players for their perseverance after his Al Nassr side came from behind to defeat Shabab Al Ahli Dubai 4-2 in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 playoff tie on Tuesday.

The Saudi Pro League side looked to be heading out with reigning UAE Pro League champions Shabab Al Ahli leading 2-1 with just two minute of regulation time remaining at the King Saud University Stadium.
 
Sultan Al Ghannam, however, drew Al Nassr level before strikes from Talisca - who had given Al Nassr the lead in the 11th minute before a brace by Yahya Al Ghassani put Shabab Al Ahli ahead - and Marcelo Brozovic meant the Saudi side advanced to the group stage. 

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Navbahor make Babayan's day

Wed, 23 Aug, 2023

Navbahor make Babayan's day

Al Wakrah: Navbahor head coach Samuel Babayan was ecstatic after the Uzbekistan side qualified for their first AFC Champions League™ group stage in 13 years on Tuesday.

Qualification was sealed after a 1-0 win over Qatar's Al Wakrah SC in their playoff, with Navbahor joining fellow Uzbekistan clubs Pakhtakor, FC Nasaf and AGMK FC in Thursday's group stage draw in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

Better tactics, fitness took AGMK through, says Qosimov

Wed, 23 Aug, 2023

Better tactics, fitness took AGMK through, says Qosimov

Doha: AGMK head coach Mirjalol Qosimov said his team's superior tactics and physical conditioning played a major part in the Uzbekistan side advancing to the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 group stage on Tuesday. 

Ruben Sanchez's 69th minute effort ultimately separated the sides at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, with AGMK booking a group stage spot for only the second time in their history. 

Skorza: Nakajima a perfect fit for Urawa

Wed, 23 Aug, 2023

Skorza: Nakajima a perfect fit for Urawa

Saitama: Urawa Red Diamonds head coach Maciej Skorza praised the performance of new midfielder Shoya Nakajima as the defending champions booked their place in Thursday’s AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 group stage draw with a 3-0 win over Hong Kong’s Lee Man.

Goals from Yoshio Koizumi and Shinzo Koroki inside the opening six minutes put Urawa on their way to a comfortable win before Takahiro Sekine applied the finishing touch in injury time.
 
Nakajima played an instrumental role in his side’s success, with the former FC Tokyo playmaker involved in both of the opening goals on his first start for the club since joining from Antalyspor as Reds made light work of last season’s Hong Kong Premier League runners-up.

Otavio leaves Porto for Al Nassr

Wed, 23 Aug, 2023

Otavio leaves Porto for Al Nassr

Lisbon: Midfielder Otavio has left Porto for Saudi club Al-Nassr in a deal worth 60 million euros, the Portuguese club said on Tuesday.

The Brazilian-born Otavio joined Porto in 2014 from Internacional and made his international debut for Portugal in 2021.

Australian Torcaso named Philippines women’s head coach

Wed, 23 Aug, 2023

Australian Torcaso named Philippines women’s head coach

Manila: The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has announced Mark Torcaso as the new national women’s team head coach, fresh off their historic FIFA Women’s World Cup debut. 

Torcaso’s appointment comes three weeks after PFF parted ways with Australian Alen Stajcic, who joined A-League side Perth Glory.

The Asians who shone at #FIFAWWC

Wed, 23 Aug, 2023

The Asians who shone at #FIFAWWC

Kuala Lumpur: The curtains came down on the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 on Sunday after the tournament saw a record overall attendance of more than 1.9 million in the stands and Spain crowned the new world champions on the pitch after beating England in the final. 

The tournament was also a landmark event for Asian football as co-hosts Australia won hearts as they battled their way into the semi-finals while former world champions Japan inflicted a stunning 4-0 defeat on eventual winners Spain and both the Philippines and Vietnam debuted. 
 
With the dust now settled on the ninth edition of the tournament, the-AFC.com takes a look at the players that stood out from each of the record six nations that represented Asia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.