Japan legend Yuki Abe announces retirement

Mon, 15 Nov, 2021

Japan legend Yuki Abe announces retirement

Tokyo: Two-time AFC Champions League winner Yuki Abe has announced he will retire at the end of the current J1 League season.

The versatile 40-year-old, who was a member of the Urawa Red Diamonds squads that won the title in 2007 and 2017, made the announcement at a special ceremony on Sunday.
 
Abe, who also represented Japan 53 times and was a member of the side that finished fourth at the 2007 AFC Asian Cup Finals, also previously played in England for Leicester City.

Matchday Five in Numbers

Mon, 15 Nov, 2021

Matchday Five in Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: There was no shortage of drama on Matchday Five of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar on Thursday as the six games threw up some memorable moments.

Last-gasp equalisers and winners, continuing draw streaks and a long awaited homecoming were all part of the narrative as the final round of AFC Asian Qualifiers reached the halfway stage.

As fans of the 12 teams now turn their attention to the Matchday Six fixtures on Tuesday, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the numbers that caught the eye.

AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar: Five Takeaways from Matchday Five

Mon, 15 Nov, 2021

AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar: Five Takeaways from Matchday Five

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar reached the halfway point with the six games of Matchday Five across the two groups producing one home win, two away victories and three draws.

Australia, Saudi Arabia and Korea Republic remained unbeaten going into the second half of the campaign, while Vietnam, Iraq, Syria and the United Arab Emirates are all yet to register a win in five, but all teams continue to have a mathematical chance of reaching Qatar 2022. the-AFC.com reflects on five takeaways from the latest round of matches played on Thursday.

Nemer: Patience was key in Amman Club defeating Shahrdari Sirjan for the title

Sun, 14 Nov, 2021

Nemer: Patience was key in Amman Club defeating Shahrdari Sirjan for the title

Aqaba: A patient game approach paid off for Khaled Nemer’s Amman Club in their 2-1 win over Islamic Republic of Iran’s Shahrdari Sirjan to win the AFC Women’s Club Championship 2021 at the Aqaba Development Corporate Stadium, Jordan on Saturday.

Maysa Jbarah gave Amman the lead going into the break before Shahnaz Jebreen's curling effort sealed the victory, with Afsaneh Chatrenoor scoring a late consolation from the penalty spot.

The result meant Amman, on six points, finished ahead of Shahrdari Sirjan to clinch the title by virtue of head-to-head. 

Priya dedicates Gokulam Kerala victory to Indian football, Bunyodkor's Gulamova looks forward

Sun, 14 Nov, 2021

Priya dedicates Gokulam Kerala victory to Indian football, Bunyodkor's Gulamova looks forward

Aqaba: Head coach Priya PV breathed a sigh of relief after Sree Gokulam Kerala FC claimed their first win at the 2021 AFC Women’s Club Championship, defeating Uzbekistan’s FC Bunyodkor 3-1 at the Aqaba Development Corporate Stadium, Jordan on Saturday to conclude their campaign on a high.

Gokulam took a 1-0 lead going into the break and added two more goals in the second half with Bunyodkor scoring a consolation.

The reigning Indian Women’s League champions ended their campaign with a third place finish ahead of Bunyodkor on head-to-head.

Ho Chi Minh City I make it three in a row

Sun, 14 Nov, 2021

Ho Chi Minh City I make it three in a row

Hanoi: Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) I picked up their third Vietnam's Women’s National Football Cup title in a row when they beat Hanoi I Watabe 2-0 in the final.

Bich Thuy and Huynh Nhu scored as Ho Chi Minh City I saw off the challenge of Hanoi I Watabe.