ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Melbourne City’s unbeaten run ends; Title rivals draw in China PR

Mon, 12 Dec, 2022

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Melbourne City’s unbeaten run ends; Title rivals draw in China PR

Hong Kong: Melbourne City’s unbeaten start to the season in Australia is over after they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Sydney FC on Saturday as the A-League was back in action following a break for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. 

In China PR, a top-of-the-table clash between Wuhan Three Towns and Shandong Taishan on Friday did not produce a winner meaning that leaders Wuhan maintain a three-point advantage over the defending champions as they enter the home straight of the season. 
 
Frontrunners PSM Makassar and Bali United both recorded wins as Liga 1 resumed in Indonesia while Southern moved to the semi-finals of the Hong Kong FA Cup at the expense of Lee Man, so join the-AFC.com as we review this week’s action from across ASEAN and East Asia. 

Qatar 2022: Quarter-finals in Numbers

Mon, 12 Dec, 2022

Qatar 2022: Quarter-finals in Numbers

Doha: After four dramatic quarter-final match-ups, the semi-finalists at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 have been confirmed as defending champions France, Argentina, Croatia and Morocco continue their quests to claim football’s most prestigious prize. 

History for the African continent, Messi magic and penalty shootouts are among the talking points as we highlight some of the stats and facts that stood out in the last-eight fixtures. 

Giroud savours 'extraordinary' win

Sun, 11 Dec, 2022

Giroud savours 'extraordinary' win

Al Khor: Olivier Giroud said France had to dig deep into their mental reserves to hold on for a 2-1 victory over England in Saturday's FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter-final.

The AC Milan striker's header with 12 minutes to go sent France through to Wednesday's semi-final against Morocco as Harry Kane missed a late penalty, his second of the match.

Kane had levelled from the spot shortly after half-time, cancelling out Aurelien Tchouameni's brilliant long-range effort that gave France the lead on 17 minutes.

Atlas Lions' heroics can inspire future 'miracles', says 'keeper Bounou

Sun, 11 Dec, 2022

Atlas Lions' heroics can inspire future 'miracles', says 'keeper Bounou

Doha: Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou said his team's history-making FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 campaign can show future generations from his country that they can create miracles.

The stopper produced a man-of-the-match display in Morocco's 1-0 win over Portugal on Saturday to take his team to the semi-finals for the first time.

Kane devastated after spot-kick pain

Sun, 11 Dec, 2022

Kane devastated after spot-kick pain

Al Khor: Harry Kane was left "gutted" on Saturday after missing a crucial penalty in England's 2-1 FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter-final defeat to France.

England skipper Kane blazed an 84th minute spot-kick over the bar that would have levelled the score at 2-2 at the Al Bayt Stadium.

It was another cruel chapter in England's decades-long psychodrama revolving around major tournaments and penalty heartaches.

Kane had earlier made no mistake with another penalty on 54 minutes that saw him equal Wayne Rooney's England goalscoring tally of 53 goals.

Regragui hails amazing Morocco players

Sun, 11 Dec, 2022

Regragui hails amazing Morocco players

Doha: Morocco head coach Walid Regragui lauded the battling spirit of his injury-hit side after they beat Portugal 1-0 on Saturday to become the first African country ever to reach the FIFA World Cup semi-finals.

Youssef En-Nesyri's header late in the first half sent the Atlas Lions through to a Qatar 2022 last-four showdown with reigning champions France, who defeated England 2-1 in their quarter-final on Saturday.

Tearful Ronaldo departs with dream in tatters

Sun, 11 Dec, 2022

Tearful Ronaldo departs with dream in tatters

Doha: Cristiano Ronaldo left the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in tears on Saturday, walking off down the tunnel with his dreams of winning the trophy in tatters.

Morocco earned a shock 1-0 quarter-final victory over Portugal, the north Africans' joy the stark opposite of Ronaldo's misery.

The Portuguese forward, 37, may never have another chance to win the game's biggest trophy, and his Qatar 2022  exit was especially bitter as he started the game as a substitute.