AFC announces Visa as Official Regional Partner

Thu, 23 Nov, 2023

AFC announces Visa as Official Regional Partner

Kuala Lumpur; The ever growing stature of Asian football was further underlined today as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Visa, a world leader in digital payments, announced a regional partnership that will cover the ongoing AFC Champions League™ season 2023/2024 as well as the Continent’s most prestigious men’s tournament – the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

Visa will become the Official Regional Partner and exclusive payment services partner for the AFC Champions League™ season 2023-2024 in the West Asia region, as well as the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ in the Middle East. 

Kim: Collective effort secured Malaysia victory

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Kim: Collective effort secured Malaysia victory

Taipei: Head coach Kim Pan-gon said Malaysia showed determination in their hard-fought 1-0 win over Chinese Taipei in Group D of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ at Taipei Municipal Stadium on Tuesday.

Substitute Darren Lok, who was brought in to replace Paulo Josue, scored the winning goal in the 72nd minute as Malaysia maintained their perfect start to the qualification campaign while Chinese Taipei are still in search of points after their opening day defeat to Oman.

Thailand’s Polking hails super-sub Teerasil

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Thailand’s Polking hails super-sub Teerasil

Singapore: Teerasil Dangda came off the bench to devastating effect, helping Thailand secure a 3-1 win over Singapore in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ tie on Tuesday.

Head coach Alexandre Polking waxed lyrical about the evergreen forward who at the age of 35, can still completely change a game - supplying two assists which gave Thailand their first win in Group C.

Arnold pleased with Australia’s consistency

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Arnold pleased with Australia’s consistency

Kuwait City: Australia head coach Graham Arnold praised his players' winning mentality after their 1-0 win over Palestine in Group I of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ at the Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium on Tuesday. 

Harry Souttar scored the only goal of the game to maintain Australia’s 100 percent record, while Palestine are on one point.

Klinsmann praises potent Korea Republic attack

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Klinsmann praises potent Korea Republic attack

Shenzhen: Jurgen Klinsmann was encouraged by the attacking strength Korea Republic showed in the 3-0 win over China PR in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group C tie on Tuesday.

The Taeguk Warriors garnered eight goals against Myanmar and China PR - taking their haul to 19 goals netted and none conceded in their last five international matches.

It’s a daunting prospect for any team to come up against the likes of Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, Hwang Hee-chan and Cho Gue-sung and Klinsmann is counting on them to continue delivering, starting with the fast approaching AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

Andersen satisfied, Orazov frustrated

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Andersen satisfied, Orazov frustrated

Hong Kong: Head coach Jorn Andersen declared Hong Kong, China's performance in their 2-2 draw with Turkmenistan on Tuesday the best since he took over at the team’s helm almost two years ago.

The home side twice fought back from going behind to goals from Kitchee winger Ruslan Mingazow to claim their first point of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ clash at Hong Kong Stadium.
 
Wong Wai cancelled out Mingazow’s fourth minute opener before Everton Camargo equalised again in the 66th minute to earn the Norwegian’s team a point from an end-to-end encounter that could have been won by either side in the dying minutes.

Malaysia aim to impress

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Malaysia aim to impress

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's return to the AFC Asian Cup™ for the first time since they co-hosted the 2007 edition couldn't have resulted in a tougher draw - with Korea Republic, Jordan and Bahrain their Group E challengers.

Head coach Kim Pan-gon and his team, however, are relishing the challenge of taking on three sides who are all ranked way above the Southeast Asian side.