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.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2911049.html

East Asia and ASEAN Wrap: Jeonbuk down Ulsan; Marinos stay top

Mon, 20 Jun, 2022

East Asia and ASEAN Wrap: Jeonbuk down Ulsan; Marinos stay top

Kuala Lumpur: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors breathed new life into the K League 1 title race as a 3-1 win over runaway leaders Ulsan Hyundai on Sunday cut the lead at the top to seven points. 

There was little change in Japan’s J1 League as the top four all won to mean Yokohama F. Marinos remain a point clear, while Wuhan Three Towns stay ahead of the rest in China PR and Sabah moved out in front in Malaysia. 

Elsewhere, there was action in Singapore, Mongolia, Laos, Macau and Chinese Taipei so join the-AFC.com as we review the leagues from across East and Southeast Asia.

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. 

Korea Republic's Cho wins Yili Top Scorer award

Mon, 20 Jun, 2022

Korea Republic's Cho wins Yili Top Scorer award

Tashkent: Korea Republic striker Cho Young-wook won the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 Yili Top Scorer award on Sunday.

Cho scored three goals and had one assist for Korea Republic, with the defending champions' campaign having been ended by Japan in the quarter-finals. 

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. 

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. 

Yahya lands MVP honour

Mon, 20 Jun, 2022

Yahya lands MVP honour

Tashkent: Saudi Arabia's Ayman Yahya was named the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 Most Valuable Player on Sunday.

The forward not only scored three goals but his overall performance throughout the tournament played a major role in Saudi Arabia winning the title for the first time.