AFC Cup™ 2022 Ones to Watch: East Zone

Wed, 22 Jun, 2022

AFC Cup™ 2022 Ones to Watch: East Zone

Kuala Lumpur: Three teams from the East Zone will begin their quest for AFC Cup™ 2022 glory when Group J kicks off on June 24 as Hong Kong pair Lee Man FC and Eastern SC, as well as Chinese Taipei’s Tainan City FC, battle it out for a place in the knockout rounds.

After the zonal format was launched in 2017, DPR Korea’s 4.25 SC dominated for three years, with An Il-bom and Kim Yu-song the standouts, but in 2021 it was Lee Man players such as Gil and Jonatan Acosta who starred as the Hong Kong side came within a game of the final. 

With the 2022 East Zone to begin on Friday, the-AFC.com looks at those who could shine this time round.

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AFC Cup™ 2022 Ones to Watch: ASEAN Zone

Tue, 21 Jun, 2022

AFC Cup™ 2022 Ones to Watch: ASEAN Zone

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Cup™ 2022 is set to return on June 24 and, for the first time since the eventually cancelled 2020 edition, ASEAN teams will grace the continental competition with 11 sides from Southeast Asia placed in Groups G to I.

Since the zonal format was introduced five years ago, numerous stars from across the region have shone, including the likes of Bienvenido Marañón and Stephan Schröck who helped Ceres Negros of the Philippines become ASEAN champions in 2017.

Song Ui-young’s goals were key as Singapore’s Home United claimed regional bragging rights in 2018, when Marko Simic starred in a memorable run for Indonesia’s Persija Jakarta, while Nguyen Quang Hai and Nguyen Van Quyet stood out as Vietnam’s Hanoi FC were better than the rest in 2019. 

Ahead of the ASEAN Zone’s big kick-off on Friday, the-AFC.com has selected some players to watch out for.

Venue for the AFC Champions League 2022™ (East) decisive stages confirmed

Mon, 20 Jun, 2022

Venue for the AFC Champions League 2022™ (East) decisive stages confirmed

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has today confirmed the Japan Football Association (JFA) as the host Member Association for the AFC Champions League 2022™ Round of 16, Quarter-finals and Semi-finals centralised matches in the East region. 

As confirmed on January 13, 2022, the AFC Champions League 2022™ (East) Round of 16 contests will be played on August 18 and 19, the Quarter-finals on August 22, and the Semi-finals on August 25, with all battles to be decided over single-leg ties. 

Uzbekistan 2022 In Numbers

Mon, 20 Jun, 2022

Uzbekistan 2022 In Numbers

Tashkent: The curtains came down on the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 on Sunday with Saudi Arabia defeating the hosts 2-0 in the final. 

It was a tournament that had everything as the Continent's finest young talent pitted their skills against each other. 

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at some interesting stats from the fifth edition of the continental showpiece.

Al Shehri: Saudi Arabia deserve to be champions as we were the best team

Mon, 20 Jun, 2022

Al Shehri: Saudi Arabia deserve to be champions as we were the best team

Tashkent: Head coach Saad Al Shehri was in a joyous mood after leading Saudi Arabia to their first-ever AFC U23 Asian Cup™ title, saying the victory was just the beginning of a successful journey for his players.

The young Green Falcons displayed great determination to overcome an Uzbekistan side that had the support of over 30,000 fans at the Bunyodkor Stadium, with Ahmed Al Ghamdi breaking the deadlock in the 48th minute, before Firas Albrikan sealed the 2-0 victory over the hosts. 

Uzbekistan will come back stronger, vows Kapadze

Mon, 20 Jun, 2022

Uzbekistan will come back stronger, vows Kapadze

Tashkent: Uzbekistan were denied a second AFC U23 Asian Cup™ title after losing to Saudi Arabia in the 2022 final on Sunday, but head coach Timur Kapadze was proud of his players for giving their all. 

After a slow start to the match at the Bunyodkor Stadium, Saudi Arabia came out stronger in the second half with Ahmed Alghamdi and Firas Albrikan scoring with the hosts unable to penetrate a defence that ended the tournament without conceding even once.