Success keeps following serial winner Hong

Sat, 28 Jan, 2023

Success keeps following serial winner Hong

Kuala Lumpur: Hong Myung-bo led Ulsan Hyundai to the K League 1 title last season, the latest success for the legendary former Korea Republic defender who captained his nation to the semi-finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Here the-AFC.com looks back at his journey so far.

Throughout his illustrious career, Hong Myung-bo has always been a winner. From his imperious playing days through to his increasingly successful time as a coach, the iconic former defender rarely fails to hit his target.
 
Ulsan Hyundai’s long-awaited K League 1 title win last year marked the latest achievement for the 53-year-old, who can now add a domestic coaching success to a resume that is among the greatest in Asian football.

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The Club World Cup in Stats

Fri, 27 Jan, 2023

The Club World Cup in Stats

Tangier: The FIFA Club World Cup has never failed to thrill fans with high octane action and spectacular matches.

With the Morocco 2022 kick-off fast approaching, we take a look at the global showpiece's stats over the past 18 editions. 

Ighalo: Al Hilal can win the Club World Cup

Wed, 25 Jan, 2023

Ighalo: Al Hilal can win the Club World Cup

Riyadh: Odion Ighalo crashed to the Saint Petersburg turf, desolate. A Lionel Messi wonder goal had helped extinguish his FIFA World Cup dream.

Ighalo hadn’t even departed Krestovsky Stadium by the time he was obsessing over Qatar 2022. The Nigeria striker knew he’d be 33 at the time. He was desperate to be there.
 
And he was. Yet not in a capacity Ighalo could have ever imagined. The Lagos native was part of Nigeria squad that agonisingly lost on away goals to arch-rivals Ghana in a playoff for a place at the 22nd World Cup. Ighalo nevertheless travelled to Qatar to passionately support a country he had never even stepped foot in two years ago.
 
After a fruitful spell at Al Shabab, Ighalo crossed Riyadh to join Al Hilal in January 2021 – just days before they debuted in the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021. It was the start of a love affair between the player and the Saudi Arabian superpower.
 
FIFA+ caught up with Ighalo to discuss his goalscoring exploits, Al Hilal’s ambitious quest to beat the likes of Flamengo and Real Madrid to the Morocco 2022 trophy, the passion of his club’s fans, his admiration for Salem Al Dawsari, Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe, and his Qatar 2022 experience.

Five Asian players who impressed at the FIFA Club World Cup

Wed, 25 Jan, 2023

Five Asian players who impressed at the FIFA Club World Cup

Dubai: The FIFA Club World Cup offers clubs from the across the world an opportunity to test their skills against the finest opponents from every continent, and over the years many an Asian player has left their mark in the competition.

With the next edition, where the continent will be represented by Al Hilal SFC in Morocco, fast approaching, the-AFC.com recalls five players who impressed in the competition.

Japanese midfielder Suzuki joins Strasbourg

Sat, 28 Jan, 2023

Japanese midfielder Suzuki joins Strasbourg

Strasbourg: Japanese midfielder Yuito Suzuki has joined Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg from Shimizu S-Pulse on a loan deal with an option to buy, the French club said on Friday.

The promising 21-year-old is the second Japanese player at the club after goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.

Oh grateful to Postecoglou for dream move

Fri, 27 Jan, 2023

Oh grateful to Postecoglou for dream move

Glasgow: Korea Republic striker Oh Hyeon-gyu vowed to repay Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou for his persistence after finally completing his dream move to Europe.

The 21-year-old told reporters on Thursday that he first heard about the Scottish champions' interest back in September.
 
But the deal was only finalised earlier this week when Celtic paid Suwon Samsung Bluewings a reported £2.5 million.

Korea Republic's Bell aiming for deep run at global showpiece

Fri, 27 Jan, 2023

Korea Republic's Bell aiming for deep run at global showpiece

Seoul: Head coach Colin Bell will leave no stone unturned in his bid to ensure Korea Republic enjoy an extended run in the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.

The East Asian side will be appearing in their third consecutive FIFA Women's World Cup and fourth overall with their Round of 16 appearance in the 2015 edition their best return to date and Bell is determined to change that.