Group E: FK Abdysh-Ata Kant sign off in style

Fri, 15 Dec, 2023

Group E: FK Abdysh-Ata Kant sign off in style

Bishkek: Abdysh-Ata Kant closed off their AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Group E campaign in style after defeating FC Merw 8-3 at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium on Thursday.

Having already sealed top spot in Group E after seeing off Altyn Asyr with a 4-2 win on Matchday Five, the debutant side from Krygyz Republic finished on 16 points while Merw ended with three.

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Group I: Loss to Ulaanbaatar fails to stop Taichung Futuro

Thu, 14 Dec, 2023

Group I: Loss to Ulaanbaatar fails to stop Taichung Futuro

Kaohsiung: Taichung Futuro advanced to the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Inter-Zone semi-finals despite falling to a 2-1 against FC Ulaanbaatar of Mongolia in their final Group I tie on Thursday.

With fellow Chinese Taipei side Tainan City losing 4-1 to Macau's Must CPK, Taichung booked a spot ahead of Ulaanbaatar on better head-to-head goal difference, with both sides finishing with 12 points. 

Jackson lauds Mariners’ strong finish

Thu, 14 Dec, 2023

Jackson lauds Mariners’ strong finish

Binan: Head coach Mark Jackson praised Central Coast Mariners’ determination in their 3-0 win over Stallion Laguna FC in their final AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Group G tie at the Binan Football Stadium on Wednesday.

The Australian side led from start to finish to seal top spot with 13 points, while the Philippines club ended their campaign with just a draw.

Emotional Muscat signs off with high praise for Marinos

Thu, 14 Dec, 2023

Emotional Muscat signs off with high praise for Marinos

Yokohama: Kevin Muscat did not try to hide his emotions after Yokohama F. Marinos produced an outstanding performance to beat Shandong Taishan 3-0 to advance to the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 knockout stage on Wednesday. .

The match was Muscat’s last as Marinos head coach and the Australian was incredibly proud with the performance which saw them topping Group G. 

The win capped Muscat’s reign, having taken over from Ange Postecoglou in 2021, where he guided Marinos to the Japanese title in 2022 and a runners-up finish in the recently concluded season.

Choi expects more from Shandong

Thu, 14 Dec, 2023

Choi expects more from Shandong

Yokohama: China PR’s Shandong Taishan FC ended their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 group stage campaign on a low after a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Yokohama F Marinos on Wednesday, much to the disappointment of head coach Choi Kang-hee.

Despite the result not affecting Shandong’s progress to the knockout stage as they qualified as one of three best runners-up, the Korean tactician was not pleased with the lapses in concentration shown at the Yokohama International Stadium.

Petrescu: Jeonbuk need to improve

Thu, 14 Dec, 2023

Petrescu: Jeonbuk need to improve

Jeonju: Dan Petrescu admits there is much improvement needed if there is going to be cheer for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 knockout stage. 

The Korean side had to work hard for their 3-2 win over Group F winners Bangkok United on Wednesday, a result which saw the two-time AFC Champions League winners advancing to the Round of 16 as one of the three best runners-up from the East Zone. 

Jeonbuk had to rally from a goal down to lead 3-1, with Bangkok scoring a late consolation.

Preview - 2nd Round: Al Ahly FC (EGY) v Al Ittihad FC (KSA)

Thu, 14 Dec, 2023

Preview - 2nd Round: Al Ahly FC (EGY) v Al Ittihad FC (KSA)

Jeddah: Al Ittihad FC are determined to rise to the occasion yet again when they face Al Ahly FC in a FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023 second round tie on Friday.

The reigning Saudi Arabian champions played scintillating football to defeat New Zealand's Auckland City 3-0 in the first round on Tuesday and will be eager to carry that form into the tie against Al Ahly. 

Preview - 2nd Round: Club Leon (MEX) v Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)

Thu, 14 Dec, 2023

Preview - 2nd Round: Club Leon (MEX) v Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)

Jeddah: Urawa Red Diamonds will look to put a difficult season behind them by launching an assault for the FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023 title when they open their campaign on Friday.

The three-time AFC Champions League™ winners meet Mexico's Club Leon in what promises to be an exciting second round clash at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah.

#ACFutsal2024 Thailand cast discover opponents

Thu, 14 Dec, 2023

#ACFutsal2024 Thailand cast discover opponents

Kuala Lumpur: Japan will begin the defence of their title in Group C following the draw for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024 at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

Islamic Republic of Iran's bid for a record-extending 13th title will kick off in Group D with the tournament scheduled for April 17-28, 2024. 

Player to Watch: Son Heung-min (Korea Republic)

Thu, 14 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Son Heung-min (Korea Republic)

Kuala Lumpur: Son Heung-min will line-up in Qatar for his fourth crack at leading Korea Republic to their first AFC Asian Cup™ title since 1960 in some of the best form of his career.

The 31-year-old returns to the scene of his first appearance at the continental championship and to where he scored his first goal in his nation’s colours, after coming off the bench to strike in a 4-1 group stage win over India back in 2011.
 
That campaign ended at the semi-final stage for the Koreans and while the nation’s continental drought has continued, Son has flourished to become one of Asian football’s best known faces.