Khujand upset Istiklol in Tajikistan Cup Final

Fri, 10 Dec, 2021

Khujand upset Istiklol in Tajikistan Cup Final

Khujand: FC Khujand won the Tajikistan Cup for the fifth time, surprising runaway league winners FC Istiklol with a 2-0 extra time win at 20 Years of Independence Stadium on Thursday.

Rustam Khodjae’s side outlasted an Istiklol side that finished 13 points clear in the league, with Khodzhiboy Ziyoev giving them the lead before Artem Serdyuk made the trophy safe in the dying stages of the extra time period.
 
Khujand’s win marks their first Cup win since 2017, while Istiklol – who won the tournament eight times in 11 years from 2009 to 2019 - have now missed out for a second successive year.

Son, Kerr, Kubo and Jahanbakhsh – Vote for your AFC International Player of the Week!

Wed, 08 Dec, 2021

Son, Kerr, Kubo and Jahanbakhsh – Vote for your AFC International Player of the Week!

Kuala Lumpur: With droughts broken, trophies lifted and goal of the season contenders scored, it was another exceptional week for Asia’s footballers outside the continent.

Son Heung-min netted in back to back Premier League games, while Sam Kerr delivered a performance for the ages in the Women’s FA Cup Final, and there were further standout displays by Asian players in Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands and the United States. 

We’ve whittled the list down for this week’s top performers – based on matches from November 30 to December 6 – it’s up to you to get behind the one you consider the best of them all.

FIFA Arab Cup: Quarter-final Preview

Fri, 10 Dec, 2021

FIFA Arab Cup: Quarter-final Preview

Doha: The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021 enters the business end with the quarter-finals to be played on Friday and Saturday.

Four Asian teams will be in action, with at least one assured of a semi-final slot.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the quarter-final match-ups.

Jordan’s Sharara provides vital spark

Thu, 09 Dec, 2021

Jordan’s Sharara provides vital spark

Doha: When Jordan coach Adnan Hamad announced his final squad for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021 on November 26, Mohammad Abu Zraiq was not among those who arrived at Hamad International Airport in Doha the following day.

However, a twist of fate meant that the player known as Sharara (which translates as 'Spark') would star for Al Nashama at Ras Abu Aboud Stadium on Tuesday for the team’s final group-stage game against Palestine. Abu Zraiq had been called into the squad a few days earlier to replace Anas Al-Awadat, who had tested positive for COVID-19, and was used as a second-half substitute against Morocco. 

Ficcadenti replaced by Kenta Hasegawa at Nagoya

Thu, 09 Dec, 2021

Ficcadenti replaced by Kenta Hasegawa at Nagoya

Nagoya: Nagoya Grampus have announced 2014 J-League Coach of the Year Kenta Hasegawa will take charge of the J1 League side next season, replacing Italian manager Massimo Ficcadenti.

Ficcadenti steered Nagoya to third place in the J1 League in 2020 to qualify the club for the AFC Champions League for the first time since 2012. Grampus advanced to the quarter-finals of this year’s competition, where they were eliminated by Pohang Steelers.

Shui calls up 34 for China PR training camp ahead of India 2022

Thu, 09 Dec, 2021

Shui calls up 34 for China PR training camp ahead of India 2022

Beijing: Head coach Shui Qingxia has provided her first indication of how China PR may line up at AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022, with 34 players selected for a month-long training camp on Wednesday.

Several experienced players have been recalled for the camp, which will be held in Shanghai from December 9 to January 15, with the squad to be whittled down to a maximum of 23 players ahead of the finals.

China will begin their India 2022 campaign against Chinese Taipei on January 20, with further matches against Islamic Republic of Iran and the tournament hosts to round out their commitments in Group A.

Slot allocation for AFC Champions League and AFC Cup 2023 confirmed

Thu, 09 Dec, 2021

Slot allocation for AFC Champions League and AFC Cup 2023 confirmed

Kuala Lumpur: The club allocations for the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup in 2023 have been determined following the latest AFC Club Competitions Ranking.

Saudi Arabia, who lead the AFC Club Competitions Ranking 2021, are ranked first in the AFC Champions League (West), with three of their clubs automatically qualifying to the Group Stage and one club advancing to the preliminary or play-offs.