Preliminary battles to kick-start #ACLElite 2024/25

Wed, 24 Jul, 2024

Preliminary battles to kick-start #ACLElite 2024/25

Kuala Lumpur: Five teams will embark on their quest to scale the pinnacle of Asian men’s club football this month when the Preliminary Stage of the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite) 2024/25 takes place from August 6 to 13.

Having each been allocated indirect slots for the prestigious competition, Qatar’s Al Gharafa SC, Islamic Republic of Iran’s Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC and United Arab Emirates’ Shabab Al Ahli will vie for one berth in the League Stage (West), while China PR’s Shandong Taishan FC will square off against Thailand’s Bangkok United to decide likewise for the East.

IR IRan’s Azmoun joins Shabab Al Ahli; Yang completes dream move to Spurs

Tue, 30 Jul, 2024

IR IRan’s Azmoun joins Shabab Al Ahli; Yang completes dream move to Spurs

Dubai: Islamic Republic of Iran forward Sardar Azmoun has left German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen for Dubai club Shabab Al Ahli on a three-year deal, the UAE Pro League outfit announced on Monday.

Azmoun arrived in Leverkusen from Zenit Saint Petersburg in January 2022 having played 44 games, scoring five times and laying on four assists before spending last season on loan with Serie A side AS Roma.

Men’s last eight cast decided

Wed, 31 Jul, 2024

Men’s last eight cast decided

Paris: Japan were joined by seven other nations still in the hunt for gold at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 after the completion of the group stage on Tuesday.

Japan will face Spain in the quarter-finals after they beat Israel 1-0 in their final match to finish top Group D with a perfect record.

South Asia Wrap: Paro maintain fine form

Mon, 29 Jul, 2024

South Asia Wrap: Paro maintain fine form

Thimpu: Paro FC went on a rampage as they continued their unbeaten run in the Bhutan Premier League, showing little mercy to Daga United 11-1.

It was Paro’s eighth consecutive victory and they sit pretty at the top of the table with 28 points from 10 matches.

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Bergson nets hat-trick vs Terengganu; Shanghai Port’s record-breaking win

Mon, 29 Jul, 2024

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Bergson nets hat-trick vs Terengganu; Shanghai Port’s record-breaking win

Kuala Lumpur: Johor Darul Ta’zim star Bergson da Silva was at his very best scoring his first hat-trick of the season as the 10-time Malaysia Super League defending champions cruised past Terengganu FC to maintain their perfect start to the 2024-25 season.

Shanghai Port set a new Chinese Super League record for the most consecutive wins while in Korea Republic, Ulsan Hyundai suffered back-to-back defeats after a 92nd-minute winner from Jeju United handed them a 1-0 loss.

Tampines Rovers maintained their slender lead in Singapore after a six-goal thriller against Albirex Niigata (S), while matches also took place in Indonesia, Australia, Myanmar and Macau, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to grips with all of last week’s action across ASEAN and East Asia.

Kim Pan-gon takes over at Ulsan HD

Sun, 28 Jul, 2024

Kim Pan-gon takes over at Ulsan HD

Ulsan: AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 hopefuls Ulsan HD FC unveiled Kim Pan-gon as their new head coach on Sunday.

The former Malaysia national team head coach takes over from Hong Myung-bo, who has taken charge of the Korea Republic national team.

Haruna Takata: We’re excited and ready for the AFC Women’s Champions League™

Fri, 26 Jul, 2024

Haruna Takata: We’re excited and ready for the AFC Women’s Champions League™

Kuala Lumpur: With the inaugural edition of the AFC Women’s Champions League™ set to kick off next month, the-AFC.com highlights the inspiring journey of Haruna Takata, Chairperson of Japan’s WE League, one of the fastest-growing leagues on the Continent.

As a key figure in the WE League, Takata has become a driving force in women's football in the island nation and has dedicated herself to elevating the women’s game both domestically and internationally.

Jasim signs for Como, Diaby joins Al Ittihad

Thu, 25 Jul, 2024

Jasim signs for Como, Diaby joins Al Ittihad

Paris: Young Iraqi sensation Ali Jasim will make his return to European football after Como confirmed the capture of the forward in a statement released on Wednesday.

Having previously played for Antalyaspor in the Turkish League in 2023, Jasim made a quick return to Iraq to join Al Kahrabaa SC before being loaned out to Air Force Club but his phenomenal displays have earned him the opportunity to feature in the Italian Serie A.

Jasim was prolific with Air Force Club, netting four in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24, then won the Top Goalscorer award at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ before scoring Iraq’s winner in their Paris Olympics 2024 match against Ukraine on Wednesday.