5 players who impressed in the 2022-23 A-League

Wed, 07 Jun, 2023

5 players who impressed in the 2022-23 A-League

Kuala Lumpur: Nick Montgomery’s Central Coast Mariners are the new champions of Australia after the Gosford outfit emerged as the winners of the A-League Grand Final for the second time in their history by posting a resounding 6-1 victory over Melbourne City last week. 

Jason Cummings proved to be the hero of the final in Sydney as he bagged a hat-trick to sink Premiership winners City who fell to a second successive defeat in the championship decider, but it wasn’t just the Mariners striker who grabbed the headlines during an exciting season of football in Australia. 
 
From seasoned campaigners proving their worth to hot prospects showing glimpses of what the future holds, the 2022-23 A-League season had it all, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at five players who stood out during the recently concluded campaign. 

Qualifiers Group A: Australia beat Vietnam to finish top

Wed, 07 Jun, 2023

Qualifiers Group A: Australia beat Vietnam to finish top

Viet Tri City: Australia won Group A of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 Round Two Qualifiers after defeating hosts Vietnam 2-0 at the Viet Tri Stadium on Wednesday. 

Islamic Republic of Iran finished third after a 2-1 win over Lebanon in the group's earlier tie. 

Circati gets Australia call-up for Argentina friendly

Tue, 06 Jun, 2023

Circati gets Australia call-up for Argentina friendly

Sydney: Italy-based defender Alessandro Circati has been included in Australia’s 23-man squad for their friendly against FIFA World Cup winners Argentina in Beijing on June 15.

Graham Arnold called up the 19-year-old after the Parma centre-half declared his intention to switch allegiance from Italy, who he has represented twice at under 20 level, to Australia and the Socceroos head coach is delighted with the new addition.

New Spurs boss Postecoglou driven by humble roots and memories of dad

Wed, 07 Jun, 2023

New Spurs boss Postecoglou driven by humble roots and memories of dad

Sydney: Ange Postecoglou has come from humble roots and arriving in Australia by boat as a little boy to take one of the English Premier League's biggest jobs.

The 57-year-old Australian was named Tottenham Hotspur manager on Tuesday, having won five trophies in two seasons at Celtic including the Scottish treble this year.

Weiss returns as Philippines head coach

Thu, 08 Jun, 2023

Weiss returns as Philippines head coach

Manila: Germany’s Michael Weiss has returned for a second spell as the head coach of the Philippines national team, almost a decade after his previous stint in charge of the Azkals.

Weiss’ appointment was confirmed by the Philippine Football Federation on Tuesday and he will take charge of the Philippines’ friendly matches against Nepal and Chinese Taipei in Manila on June 15 and 19 respectively.

Jankovic names strong China PR squad for Myanmar, Palestine tests

Wed, 07 Jun, 2023

Jankovic names strong China PR squad for Myanmar, Palestine tests

Hong Kong: Seven players from Chinese Super League leaders Shanghai Port have been included in Aleksandar Jankovic’s 24-man squad for China PR’s friendlies against Palestine and Myanmar this month as they play their first game on home soil in more than two years.

Veteran defender Zhang Linpeng and striker Wu Lei are joined in the squad by goalkeeper Yan Junling as well as former Guangzhou Evergrande central defender Jiang Guangtai, Wang Shenchao, Wei Zhen and Xu Xin.
 
The Chinese will take on Myanmar on June 16 before facing Palestine four days later. 

Preview: Korea Republic chasing history against Italy

Wed, 07 Jun, 2023

Preview: Korea Republic chasing history against Italy

La Plata: Korea Republic will aim to qualify for a second successive FIFA U-20 World Cup final when they play Italy in their Argentina 2023 last four tie on Thursday.

Having overcome tremendous odds to reach the semi-finals, Korea Republic are the only undefeated team remaining in the competition after three wins and two draws.
 
History will be made if they defeat Italy as it will be the first time Korea Republic would have made back-to-back finals of a FIFA competition. 

Japan's Kumagai moves to Roma

Wed, 07 Jun, 2023

Japan's Kumagai moves to Roma

Rome: Japan women's national team captain Saki Kumagai has signed for Italian champions AS Roma, the club has announced.

Kumagai, who joins Roma from Germany's Bayern Munich, has penned a two-year deal with the Italian side.  

Benzema signs for Al Ittihad

Wed, 07 Jun, 2023

Benzema signs for Al Ittihad

Riyadh:  Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema has signed a three-year deal with Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad, the Jeddah-based club confirmed on Tuesday.

"Benzema is here. A new tiger will roar. Welcome to Ittihad!," the club wrote on Twitter.