J1 League: Mid-Season Review

Fri, 23 Jun, 2023

J1 League: Mid-Season Review

Tokyo: There has been no shortage of drama during the 2023 J1 League season since it kicked off in February and it promises even more thrills and spills as the competition enters the second half of the campaign with clubs battling for places up and down the table. 

Reigning champions Yokohama F. Marinos find themselves at the top of the standings at the halfway point, while there looks like being a strong title challenge from Vissel Kobe who have been in the driver’s seat for much of the season and can still go top if they win their game in hand. 
 
As the Japanese top flight returns to action this week, the-AFC.com takes a look at how the 2023 J1 League has panned out over the last four months and highlights what to look out for in the remainder of a thrilling season in Japan. 

K League 1: Mid-Season Review

Thu, 22 Jun, 2023

K League 1: Mid-Season Review

Seoul: The K League 1 returns this Saturday after a two-week break to accommodate international football when Suwon Samsung Bluewings welcome FC Seoul to Suwon World Cup Stadium as another exciting domestic season in Korea Republic gets underway once more. 

After beating Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors to the title last season, it is defending champions Ulsan Hyundai who sit comfortably at the top of the table and it will be up to the likes of Pohang Steelers and FC Seoul to narrow the gap in the coming months. 
 
Ahead of the season’s resumption, the-AFC.com takes a look at how the latest edition of Korea Republic’s top flight has transpired so far and highlights what the supporters can keep an eye out for as the K League 1 clubs return to action. 

Pathways to AFC Champions League™ and AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Group Stages confirmed

Thu, 03 Aug, 2023

Pathways to AFC Champions League™ and AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Group Stages confirmed

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has today confirmed the battle lines of the Preliminary and Playoff Stages of the AFC Cup™ and AFC Champions League™ 2023/24.

The race to secure a place in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group Stage will begin in Hong Kong, China where Hong Kong Rangers will host Vietnam’s Haiphong FC on August 15, 2023, in the Preliminary Stage with the winners sealing a date with Korea Republic’s Incheon United FC in the Playoff Stage on August 22.

Five things we learned from the international break

Thu, 22 Jun, 2023

Five things we learned from the international break

Riyadh: With just six months left until the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, national teams across Asia continued their preparations for the continental tournament with friendly matches and regional tournaments keeping the players busy at the end of a long club season.

The 10-day window saw Australia lose to world champions Argentina, while managerless Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates did not make any appearances this window. The-AFC.com looks at five things we learned from Asia’s top sides over the international break.

Maloney praises Australia’s mindset

Fri, 23 Jun, 2023

Maloney praises Australia’s mindset

Bangkok: Australia head coach Brad Maloney hailed his players' fighting mentality after defeating Tajikistan 2-0 in their final Group C game at the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 on Thursday.

Daniel Bennie broke the stalemate just after the hour-mark before Nathan Amanatidis sealed the win in the final minutes to seal Australia’s place in the knockout stage.
 
The Joeys finished on six points,  behind Saudi Arabia who stayed perfect after their 3-0 defeat of China PR. Australia will play the Group D winners in the quarter-finals.

Alharbi: Saudi Arabia squad now at desired level

Fri, 23 Jun, 2023

Alharbi: Saudi Arabia squad now at desired level

Chonburi: : Saudi Arabia topped Group C of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 with a perfect record, but head coach Abdulwahab Nasser Alharbi was more pleased that he was afforded the luxury of rotating his players.

The two-time AFC U16 Championship winners scored seven goals and conceded none on route to topping their group. Qualifying for the knockout stage after their second match against Australia enabled Alharbi to give several players their chance in the starting lineup.

Chanathip signs for BG Pathum United

Wed, 21 Jun, 2023

Chanathip signs for BG Pathum United

Bangkok: Thailand international midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin has signed for BG Pathum United, the Thai League 1 club announced on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old joins after seven seasons in the J1 League, where he played 144 times during spells with Consadole Sapporo and Kawasaki Frontale.