East Asia & ASEAN Wrap: Nagoya leave it late; Kelantan get crucial win

Mon, 11 Sep, 2023

East Asia & ASEAN Wrap: Nagoya leave it late; Kelantan get crucial win

Hong Kong: Nagoya Grampus progressed to the semi-finals of the J.League Cup in dramatic fashion on Sunday after 20-year-old Haruki Yoshida came off the bench to score the winner with one minute of extra time remaining in their quarter-final second leg contest against hosts Kashima Antlers.

In Malaysia, strugglers Kelantan United and Kuching City met in the league last Monday with the former registering an all-important 2-1 win in the battle for survival while there were also matches taking place in the Philippines, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from East Asia and ASEAN.

AFC Cup™: Through the Years

Sun, 10 Sep, 2023

AFC Cup™: Through the Years

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Cup™ 2023-24 season is edging closer as the competition returns to its usual home-and-away format for the first time in four years. 

Al Seeb Club became the first Omani side to lift the title when they beat Kuala Lumpur City FC 3-0 in last season’s final at Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
 
This time round, 36 clubs from across the continent will compete in the final edition of the tournament. As the big kick-off on September 18 approaches, the-AFC.com takes a trip down memory lane to look at the history of the AFC Cup.

Japan, Malaysia impress; Australia denied

Sun, 10 Sep, 2023

Japan, Malaysia impress; Australia denied

Kuala Lumpur: Japan produced a masterclass as they cruised 4-1 past Germany in an international friendly on Saturday.

Malaysia held their own in a 1-1 draw with China PR while Australia were denied victory as Mexico fought back for a 2-2 stalemate.
 
Uzbekistan fell 3-0 to the United States as Asian teams continued their preparations for the Preliminary Joint Qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

Indonesia, Tajikistan triumph, defeat for Saudi Arabia

Sat, 09 Sep, 2023

Indonesia, Tajikistan triumph, defeat for Saudi Arabia

Kuala Lumpur: Roberto Mancini's tenure as head coach got off to a losing start as Saudi Arabia fell to a 3-1 defeat against Costa Rica in an international friendly in Newcastle, England on Friday. 

Several other sides were also in action as the teams continued their preparations for the Preliminary Joint Qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

Saudi Pro League: Summer transfer window wrap-up

Sat, 09 Sep, 2023

Saudi Pro League: Summer transfer window wrap-up

Riyadh: An unforgettable transfer window in the Saudi Pro League slammed shut on Thursday at midnight local time, with Saudi Arabian clubs having spent over USD875 million to bring some of the world’s top footballing talent to Asia.

With four Saudi clubs set to compete in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 and Al Ittihad also representing Asia as hosts of the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2023, the-AFC.com recaps the biggest moves that made this transfer window a historic one.

Qatar's Al Duhail sign Coutinho on loan

Sat, 09 Sep, 2023

Qatar's Al Duhail sign Coutinho on loan

London: Brazilian forward Philippe Coutinho joined reigning Qatar champions Al Duhail SC on a season-long loan from English Premier League side Aston Villa on Friday.

Coutinho was able to join Al Duhail despite the Premier League transfer window closing last week because the Qatari deadline is not until September 18.