Stars of the AFC Cup

Fri, 09 Aug, 2024

Stars of the AFC Cup

Kuala Lumpur: The curtains have come down on a glorious era in Asian club football with the prestigious AFC Cup™ drawing to a conclusion at the end of last season with Asian club football set to embark on an exciting new journey.

Over the AFC Cup's two-decade-long history since launching in 2004, numerous players across the continent have shone brightly, providing unforgettable moments to savour for Asian football fans.

The-AFC.com selects 10 superstars who lit up the AFC Cup, making it one of the most enjoyable competitions in the Asian football calendar.

Who's your favourite AFC Cup star?

#ACLTwo 2024/25 set to kick off Preliminary Stage

Wed, 07 Aug, 2024

#ACLTwo 2024/25 set to kick off Preliminary Stage

Kuala Lumpur: A quartet of clubs will vie for the right to take their place in the AFC Champions League Two™ (ACL Two) next Wednesday when they contest the Preliminary Stage.

On August 14, India’s East Bengal FC will take on Altyn Asyr FC of Turkmenistan while Bahraini side Al Ahli battle Kuwait SC in two one-off ties to claim the two remaining Group Stage berths on offer in the West region of the ACL Two 2024/25 season.

West quartet face off in #ChallengeLeague Preliminary Stage

Thu, 08 Aug, 2024

West quartet face off in #ChallengeLeague Preliminary Stage

Kuala Lumpur: Two single-leg clashes will take place on Tuesday, August 13 to determine the final two qualifying teams for the AFC Challenge League™ (ACGL) 2024/25 Group Stage.

The Preliminary Stage ties will see FC Abdysh-Ata of the Krygyz Republic do battle with Afghanistan’s Attack FC and Nepalese outfit Church Boys United face Paro FC of Bhutan, as the quartet vie to claim the two Group Stage berths on offer via the indirect slot allocation.

Spain beat France in classic final to win men's gold

Sat, 10 Aug, 2024

Spain beat France in classic final to win men's gold

Paris: Substitute Sergio Camello struck twice in extra time to settle a remarkable Olympic men's football final on Friday as Spain beat France 5-3 to take gold after Thierry Henry's hosts had earlier staged a dramatic comeback.

It had looked as though Spain were going to run away with victory at the Parc des Princes when they recovered from conceding an early goal to lead 3-1 by half-time.

Last-gasp penalty save secures Germany women's bronze

Sat, 10 Aug, 2024

Last-gasp penalty save secures Germany women's bronze

Lyon: Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger saved a last-gasp penalty from Alexia Putellas as her team beat World Cup holders Spain 1-0 on Friday to take bronze in the Olympic women's football.

Giulia Gwinn converted a 65th-minute penalty in Lyon to give Germany the lead but Spain had the chance to force extra time when they won a spot-kick of their own right at the end of seven minutes of injury time.

However, former Ballon d'Or winner Putellas had her effort from the spot saved by the heroic Berger as Spain missed out on a medal on their debut appearance at the Olympics.

Rahimi stars as Morocco outclass Egypt to take men's bronze

Fri, 09 Aug, 2024

Rahimi stars as Morocco outclass Egypt to take men's bronze

Nantes: The prolific Soufiane Rahimi scored twice and captain Achraf Hakimi netted a stunning free-kick as Morocco defeated Egypt 6-0 on Thursday to take Olympic men's football bronze.

Rahimi's brace took him to eight goals at the Olympics, cementing his status as the tournament's top scorer, while Abde Ezzalzouli, Bilal El Khannouss and Akram Nakach also scored in a comprehensive win at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.

Hakimi's late strike put the icing on the cake as Morocco claimed a first Olympic football medal, and a first for North Africa.

Esteghlal swoop for Kakuta, Melbourne Victory go for Vergos

Fri, 09 Aug, 2024

Esteghlal swoop for Kakuta, Melbourne Victory go for Vergos

Tehran: Iran Pro League 2023/24 runners-up Esteghlal FC will be aiming to go one better in the upcoming season after signing 33-year-old midfielder Gael Kakuta.

Kakuta joins from French side Amiens SC with bags of experience, having once been on the books at Chelsea in the English Premier League and possessing Asian experience in the Chinese Super League with Hebei between 2016 and 2018.