Nasaf's Norchaev wins 2021 AFC Cup Top Scorer award

Sat, 06 Nov, 2021

Nasaf's Norchaev wins 2021 AFC Cup Top Scorer award

Arad: FC Nasaf forward Khusain Norchaev won the 2021 AFC Cup top scorer award after finishing the campaign with seven goals, two more than his nearest challenger, Ahal FC’s Elman Tagayev.

The 19-year-old entered the history books becoming the youngest player in the competition’s history to be named top scorer, breaking the record of Shabab Al Ordon’s Odai Al Saify, who was the 2007 AFC Cup joint top scorer with five goals aged 21.

Norchaev became the first Uzbek to win the AFC Cup top scorer award and the second Nasaf player after Montenegrin striker Ivan Boskovic in 2011.

Stage set for AFC Women’s Club Championship 2021 - Pilot Tournament (West) in Jordan

Sat, 06 Nov, 2021

Stage set for AFC Women’s Club Championship 2021 - Pilot Tournament (West) in Jordan

Amman: The AFC Women’s Club Championship 2021 – Pilot Tournament (West) is set for another milestone when the Jordan Football Association (JFA) hosts the upcoming edition from November 7 to 13, 2021.

Four women’s clubs will participate in the tournament including hosts Amman Club, FC Bunyodkor from Uzbekistan, Islamic Republic of Iran’s Shahrdari Sirjan and Gokulam Kerala FC from India.
 
As part of efforts to prepare for the impending launch of the game-changing AFC Women’s Champions League, the pilot editions demonstrate the AFC’s commitment and determination to strengthen the foundations for the development and professionalism of women’s football clubs in Asia.
 
The opening match at the Aqaba Development Corporate Stadium will see an exciting encounter between reigning Uzbekistan champions FC Bunyodkor and Shahrdari Sirjan, who clinched the domestic Women’s Football League for the first time.
 
Meanwhile, first-time Indian Women's League winners Gokulam Kerala FC will face Amman Club, who recently clinched their fifth Jordan Women's Football League title. 
 
The four teams will compete in a round-robin league format over three match days – November 7, 10 and 13 – with the top team lifting the title of the AFC Women’s Club Championship 2021 - Pilot Tournament (West).
 
The AFC will also test the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Light concept in the tournament with the aim of creating more affordable VAR systems which can be used at all levels in football.
 
The first pilot of the AFC Women’s Club Championship was held in 2019 in Yongin, Korea Republic, and won by Nippon TV Beleza of Japan.

Shahrdari Sirjan primed for success, says confident Motevalli

Sat, 06 Nov, 2021

Shahrdari Sirjan primed for success, says confident Motevalli

Aqaba: Melika Motevalli is confident of winning the 2021 AFC Women’s Club Championship crown with Shahrdari Sirjan following the club’s maiden title winning season in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Shahrdari Sirjan came out tops in the 2021 Kowsar Women Football League regular season, netting 48 goals to advance to the Final Round, where they pipped seven-time champions Bam Khatoon Football Club to the title.

Neutral venues for the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ confirmed

Fri, 05 Nov, 2021

Neutral venues for the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ confirmed

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed today the neutral venues for the upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ fixtures scheduled to take place on November 11 and 16, 2021.

Iraq, who will be looking to extend their two-match unbeaten run in Group A, will face their home ties against Syria and Korea Republic on November 11 and 16 respectively at the Thani Bin Jassim Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

Similarly, China PR will also continue to play their upcoming Group B home encounters against Oman and Australia on November 11 and 16 respectively in a neutral venue at the Sharjah Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.

Australia's Mooy, Rogic to miss Saudi Arabia, Oman ties

Fri, 05 Nov, 2021

Australia's Mooy, Rogic to miss Saudi Arabia, Oman ties

Sydney: Australia will be without key midfield duo Aaron Mooy and Tom Rogic when they take on Saudi Arabia and China PR in their crucial AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar 2022 encounters later this month.

Head coach Graham Arnold named a 24-man squad on Friday and was forced to exclude the pair – as well as Cerezo Osaka striker Adam Taggart – as Australia seek to consolidate their position in the automatic qualification berths in Group B for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Al Sadd confirm deal agreed with Barcelona for Xavi

Sat, 06 Nov, 2021

Al Sadd confirm deal agreed with Barcelona for Xavi

Doha: Barcelona are set to announce Xavi Hernandez's dramatic return to the club as coach, after Qatar champions Al Sadd SC confirmed on Friday a deal has been agreed between the clubs.

Al Sadd said in a statement Barca had paid the release clause for Xavi, who has been coaching in Qatar since 2019 and now rejoins the club where he enjoyed huge success as a player.

Al Ramtha end 39-year wait for Jordan league title

Fri, 05 Nov, 2021

Al Ramtha end 39-year wait for Jordan league title

Amman: Al Ramtha were crowned Jordanian Pro League champions for the third time in their history after a 1-1 draw with Al Jazeera in the final round of matches on Thursday.

Al Ramtha finished level on points with Al Wehdat – on 47 -but claimed the title on a superior head-to-head with the 2020 champions.
 
Al Ramtha, who defeated Al Wehdat twice in the league this season, had previously won the title back-to-back in 1981 and 1982.