Tadanari Lee to bring down curtain on glittering career

Fri, 15 Sep, 2023

Tadanari Lee to bring down curtain on glittering career

Singapore: Japan’s AFC Asian Cup winner Tadanari Lee has announced he will retire at the end of the season, more than 12 years after scoring the only goal in the final of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™.

Lee, who is currently playing for Albirex Niigata Singapore, struck in extra time in the decider in Doha’s Khalifa International Stadium as the Samurai Blue defeated Australia to win the AFC Asian Cup for a record fourth time.

Mugosa looking to write new chapter in Incheon history

Thu, 14 Sep, 2023

Mugosa looking to write new chapter in Incheon history

Incheon: In football, the age-old adage 'Never go back' often rings true. It serves as a cautionary tale for players and managers who retrace their steps to former clubs as recreating the magic of the past could often prove elusive the second time around. But Stefan Mugosa is trying to buck the trend at Incheon United. 

Following a year-long stint with Vissel Kobe in Japan, the Montenegro international sealed a return to Incheon in July. He is now back in the city where his Asian football journey began five years ago, at the club where he is considered a legend, and hoping to help them leave a mark during their debut AFC Champions League™ campaign.

Benzema magic takes Al Ittihad top, Ighalo grabs hat-trick

Fri, 15 Sep, 2023

Benzema magic takes Al Ittihad top, Ighalo grabs hat-trick

Najran: The Saudi Pro League returned to action as Al Ittihad claimed their fifth win of the 2023/24 season thanks to Karim Benzema’s eye-catching goal in a 1-0 win over Al Akhdoud on Thursday.

The goal takes Benzema’s tally in his maiden season in Saudi Arabia to three from six matches.

Qatar 2023 Watch: Five things we learned from the international break

Fri, 15 Sep, 2023

Qatar 2023 Watch: Five things we learned from the international break

Riyadh: National teams across the continent ramped up their preparations with just under four months remaining until the start of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ with a series of friendlies taking place over the past 10 days.

Preliminary Joint Qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ are also just around the corner with the first-round games kicking off mid-October and the second round starting in November, meaning that every national team in Asia has something to prepare for.

Kerr, Miyazawa lead Asian nominees for Best FIFA Awards

Fri, 15 Sep, 2023

Kerr, Miyazawa lead Asian nominees for Best FIFA Awards

Paris: Australia's Sam Kerr and Japan's Hinata Miyazawa are among several Asian players nominated for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023.

Australia women's head coach Tony Gustavsson and former men's head coach Ange Postecoglou have also been nominated.

Asia’s best gear up for #ACL 2023/24 as final edition of flagship set to kick off

Mon, 11 Sep, 2023

Asia’s best gear up for #ACL 2023/24 as final edition of flagship set to kick off

Kuala Lumpur: The cream of Asia’s crop will begin their quest to scale the Continent’s peak next week when the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group Stage gets underway for one last time before the 2024/25 season’s eagerly anticipated unveiling of a new portfolio of competitions. 

The 21st and final edition of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s flagship club competition will run from September 2023 to May 2024, with 40 participating clubs – divided into 10 groups during last month’s draw – from 21 Member Associations. 

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™: Record 74 match officials named; historic debut for women officials beckons

Sun, 07 Jan, 2024

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™: Record 74 match officials named; historic debut for women officials beckons

Kuala Lumpur: With less than four months to go to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, the largest-ever cast of 74 match officials have been appointed to the Continental showpiece, which is scheduled to be held from 12 January to 10 February 2024 across nine world-class venues.

A total of 35 referees and 39 assistant referees – including two standby nominees for each position – from 18 Member Associations have been selected based on their game management skills and competence, technical knowledge, physical fitness as well as performances delivered at the highest levels of both Continental and global football in recent years.