Europe Wrap: Son wins it for Spurs; Nakamura strikes in France

Mon, 25 Dec, 2023

Europe Wrap: Son wins it for Spurs; Nakamura strikes in France

Kuala Lumpur: Son Heung-min scored his 11th goal of the season in England to help Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur defeat Everton 2-1 on Saturday while Matildas striker Sam Kerr was on target for Chelsea in the UEFA Women’s Champions League during the midweek. 

Keito Nakamura scored the only goal of the game as Reims edged Le Havre 1-0 in France on Wednesday and his Japanese compatriot Koki Ogawa scored to help NEC Nijmegen overcome GVVV and progress to the Round of 16 of the KNVB Cup in the Netherlands. 
 
Islamic Republic of Iran striker Mehdi Taremi scored in a cup win for FC Porto in Portugal, Kim Min-jae guided Bayern Munich to another victory in Germany and Kyogo Furuhashi struck in Celtic's win in Scotland, so join the-AFC.com as we find out how the Asian stars performed in Europe over the past week. 

Player to Watch: Chanathip Songkrasin (Thailand)

Sat, 23 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Chanathip Songkrasin (Thailand)

Kuala Lumpur: After a fine AFC Asian Cup™ 2019 campaign where he guided his nation to the knockout stages of the competition for the first time in 47 years, Chanathip Songkrasin will be keen to create more history with Thailand as the continental showpiece returns.

Thailand made a shaky start to the tournament four years ago with a 4-1 defeat to India leading to the departure of head coach Milovan Rajevac, but Chanathip scored in a 1-0 win against Bahrain in their second outing before a 1-1 draw with hosts United Arab Emirates sent them through. 
 
Finding themselves in a group featuring Saudi Arabia, Kyrgyz Republic and Oman this time around, the Southeast Asian nation, managed by Masatada Ishii, will need the 30-year-old attacking midfielder to deliver the goods again if they want to make a mark at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™. 

Player to Watch: Omar Khrbin (Syria)

Fri, 22 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Omar Khrbin (Syria)

Kuala Lumpur: Syria’s hopes of reaching the AFC Asian Cup™ knockout stage for the first time in their history rest on the shoulders of a number of key players, prime among them is the only Syrian to have won the AFC Player of the Year award.

Despite six previous participations in the competition, most recently in the UAE 2019, The Eagles of Qasioun have not been able to advance past the group stage, but if that’s to change in a tough group that includes Australia, Uzbekistan and India, then star striker Omar Khrbin will be vital.

Test Your Knowledge - Round 11

Fri, 22 Dec, 2023

Test Your Knowledge - Round 11

Kuala Lumpur: Round 11 of the AFC Asian Cup™ quiz has another set of interesting questions about the continent's premier national team tournament.

Try it out to see how well versed you - the fans - are ahead of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ which kicks off on January 12.

Arnold springs surprises in 'exciting' Australian squad

Fri, 22 Dec, 2023

Arnold springs surprises in 'exciting' Australian squad

Sydney: Australia head coach Graham Arnold said he was "excited by the potential" of his players at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ after announcing a fresh-faced squad on Friday, with a host of veterans cast aside.

The 2015 champions will be among the favourites at the tournament - which kicks off on January 12 - after reaching the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Japan lead AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ cast

Thu, 21 Dec, 2023

Japan lead AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ cast

Kuala Lumpur:  Japan will head to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ as the top ranked Asian side.

The four-time AFC Asian Cup winners maintained their 17th spot in the latest FIFA World Ranking issued on Thursday.
 
Facing them in Group D at Qatar 2023 will be Iraq (ranked 63), Vietnam (94) and Indonesia (146).

Skorza takes blame for Urawa's defeat

Sat, 23 Dec, 2023

Skorza takes blame for Urawa's defeat

Jeddah: Maciej Skorza said he was to blame for Urawa Red Diamonds' defeat to Al Ahly FC in their FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023 bronze medal playoff tie on Friday.

Three-time AFC Champions League™ winners Urawa fought back from 2-0 down to level the tie, only for Egypt's Al Ahly to walk away with the win.