Japan legend Hasebe targets coaching career in Europe

Fri, 24 May, 2024

Japan legend Hasebe targets coaching career in Europe

Tokyo: Makoto Hasebe said on Friday he wants to become the first Japanese to coach in one of Europe's top leagues after the former national skipper retired from playing aged 40.

Hasebe ended his playing career after 17 seasons in Germany's Bundesliga when he came on as a substitute for Eintracht Frankfurt in their final match of the campaign last weekend.

It was his 384th game in the German top flight, taking him level with Poland's Robert Lewandowski and trailing only Peru's Claudio Pizarro for Bundesliga appearances among foreign players.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3030069.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3030077.html

Preview - Final (2nd Leg): Al Ain FC (UAE) 1 v 2 Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Sun, 26 May, 2024

Preview - Final (2nd Leg): Al Ain FC (UAE) 1 v 2 Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Al Ain: Al Ain FC will head into the return leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final confident of lifting the coveted title.

The 2003 AFC Champions League winners lost the first leg 2-1 to Yokohama F. Marinos two weeks ago but the side from the United Arab Emirates believe home ground advantage will take them past their Japanese opponents.

#ACL through the years: Stats & Facts

Wed, 22 May, 2024

#ACL through the years: Stats & Facts

Kuala Lumpur: Some 21 years since Al Ain FC beat Thailand’s BEC Tero Sasana to win the inaugural AFC Champions League™, the curtain will come down on the continental competition in its current format following the second leg of the 2023/24 final between the Emiratis and Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos.

The tournament has provided numerous thrilling moments during more than two decades of action, with Asia’s finest talents and FIFA World Cup-winning players and coaches among those who have been on display. 

As fans across the continent look forward to Saturday’s showpiece event, the-AFC.com reflects on some of the key stats and facts from over the years.

Kewell warns Yokohama must 'suffer' to win title

Thu, 23 May, 2024

Kewell warns Yokohama must 'suffer' to win title

Yokohama: Harry Kewell says his Yokohama F. Marinos will "have to suffer" to win the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 despite taking a one-goal lead into Saturday's second leg of the final at Hernan Crespo's Al Ain.

Kewell's side won the first leg 2-1 in Japan two weeks ago and now head to the United Arab Emirates for the return at what is likely to be a packed Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

Al Hashemi counting on fans to push Al Ain past Yokohama

Wed, 22 May, 2024

Al Hashemi counting on fans to push Al Ain past Yokohama

Al Ain: Al Ain defender Khalid Al Hashemi is confident the support of the home fans can push his team to victory over Yokohama F. Marinos in the second leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/2024 final at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Saturday.

Hernan Crespo’s side trail 2-1 from the opening encounter in Japan last week after Kota Watanabe scored with six minutes remaining to give Harry Kewell’s outfit a slender advantage going into the return leg in the United Arab Emirates.

Vote for your #U17WAC NEOM Future Star

Thu, 23 May, 2024

Vote for your #U17WAC NEOM Future Star

Bali: The AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Indonesia 2024™ turned out to be a fantastic platform for the budding women footballers of Asia to showcase their talents to the continent. 

Eight teams participated with several players shining over a period of two weeks in scenic Bali for the 9th edition of the competition. 
 
The-AFC.com selects the four best players and asks you, the fans, to vote for your favourite at the foot of the article.