Japan's veteran football star Endo retires

Tue, 09 Jan, 2024

Japan's veteran football star Endo retires

Tokyo: Japan's veteran midfielder Yasuhito Endo on Tuesday announced his retirement after 26 years of his career and joined Gamba Osaka as a coach.

"I had a really long and fulfilling 26 years of football life between 1998 and 2023. I never thought I'd play  this long," the 43-year-old said in a video message posted on the club's website.

Qatar 2023 set for kick-off

Tue, 09 Jan, 2024

Qatar 2023 set for kick-off

Doha: The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 is all set to take off with most of the 24 teams having already checked in for the continental showpiece. 

Exciting is building with the 18th edition of the tournament to kick off with the opening match between defending champions Qatar and Lebanon at the iconic Lusail Stadium on Friday.
 
To be hosted by Qatar for the third time, AFC Asian Cup fever can be felt across the country, with the 51 matches to be played in nine stadiums.

Shaikh Salman hails AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ as a tournament of ‘firsts’

Mon, 08 Jan, 2024

Shaikh Salman hails AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ as a tournament of ‘firsts’

Doha: As the attention of world football descends upon Doha for a record third time in the history of the AFC Asian Cup™, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has conveyed his best wishes to Asia’s top 24 teams and applauded the spirit of innovation and resilience exemplified by the Asian football family.

Ahead of Friday’s opener between defending champions Qatar and Lebanon at the iconic Lusail Stadium, Shaikh Salman said: “I know our teams, players and the hundreds of millions of passionate fans across the globe have been waiting eagerly and we are now in touching distance of hosting our best-ever men’s showpiece in Asian football history.

Arnold firmly believes in Australia’s chances

Tue, 09 Jan, 2024

Arnold firmly believes in Australia’s chances

Doha: Head coach Graham Arnold is confident Australia can mount a serious challenge for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ title.

The Socceroos concluded their preparations in Abu Dhabi with a 2-0 win over Bahrain in a friendly on Saturday and have their eyes firmly set on a second AFC Asian Cup title, having emerged champions on home soil in 2015.

Resilient Malaysia please Kim

Tue, 09 Jan, 2024

Resilient Malaysia please Kim

Doha: Head coach Kim Pan-gon described Malaysia’s 2-2 draw with Syria in an international friendly match on Monday as a morale booster heading into the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

Having taken the lead just before half-time, World No 130 Malaysia found themselves pegged back by Syria with the Southeast Asian side then salvaging a share of the spoils through Paulo Josue’s effort 12 minutes from time at Al Arabi Sports Club.

5 of the Best: Memorable Openers

Tue, 09 Jan, 2024

5 of the Best: Memorable Openers

Doha: The clock is ticking on towards the start of the AFC Asian Cup™ Qatar 2023, with the hosts set to take on Lebanon in the opening match at Lusail Stadium on Friday.

As all eyes turn to Doha, the-AFC.com takes a trip down memory lane to relive five of the most memorable opening matches in the history of the AFC Asian Cup.

Europe Wrap: Maeda scores for Celtic; Raso stars in Madrid derby

Tue, 09 Jan, 2024

Europe Wrap: Maeda scores for Celtic; Raso stars in Madrid derby

Kuala Lumpur: Daizen Maeda scored within seconds of kick off as defending champions Celtic registered a 3-0 victory against St Mirren in Scotland on Tuesday while China PR’s Shen Mengyu was on the scoresheet in the third round of the Scottish Women’s Cup on Sunday. 

Hayley Raso made a vital contribution as a substitute in the Madrid derby as she provided the assist for a 99th-minute winner for Real Madrid against Madrid CFF on Sunday while Miku Kojima scored for Sporting Huelva in the women’s league in Spain. 
 
Yuki Soma scored his first goal of the season in Portugal, Saki Kumagai's goal did not help AS Roma avoid defeat in the Italian Women’s Super Cup and Ange Postecolgou’s Tottenham Hotspur advanced to the next round of the FA Cup in England, so join the-AFC.com as we find out how the Asian stars performed in Europe over the past week.