Ronaldo, Mane fire Al Nassr to first win

Sat, 26 Aug, 2023

Ronaldo, Mane fire Al Nassr to first win

Riyadh: Cristiano Ronaldo starred with a hat-trick while Sadio Mane scored twice as Al Nassr defeated Al Fateh 5-0 in a 2023/24 Saudi Pro League match on Friday.

It was Al Nassr's first win of the season after having kicked off their campaign with two consecutive defeats.

#ACL: Teams learn path to glory

Thu, 24 Aug, 2023

#ACL: Teams learn path to glory

Kuala Lumpur: Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan will kick off the defence of their AFC Champions League title in Group J following the 2023/24 Official Draw in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday. 

Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal SFC - who won the 2019 and 2021 titles and were runners-up last season - were drawn in Group D. 

The draw saw the 40 teams divided into 10 groups - five each in the East and West Zones.

The 10 group winners along with the three best runners-up of each Zone will book their places in the Knockout Stages, which will take place from February to April before the final is held over two legs on May 11 and 18, 2024.

#AFCCup: Group Stage Draw finalised

Thu, 24 Aug, 2023

#AFCCup: Group Stage Draw finalised

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Cup™ 2023/24 has all the ingredients to be a thriller following the conclusion of the Official Draw in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

Joint-record three-time champions Kuwait SC lead the cast of 36 teams who were divided into nine groups across the five AFC zones.

Kerr, Bonmati and Carmona shortlisted for UEFA women's player of year

Sat, 26 Aug, 2023

Kerr, Bonmati and Carmona shortlisted for UEFA women's player of year

Paris: Chelsea's Australian striker Sam Kerr and two Spanish FIFA Women's World Cup winners, Aitana Bonmati and Olga Carmona, were on Friday named on the three-player shortlist for UEFA's women's player of the year award.

The winner will be announced on August 31 in Monaco at the draw for the men's UEFA Champions League group stage.

Japan top Asian side in latest FIFA Women's Ranking

Fri, 25 Aug, 2023

Japan top Asian side in latest FIFA Women's Ranking

Zurich: Japan's run to the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 quarter-finals has seen them rewarded with a jump from 11th to eighth in the latest FIFA Women's Ranking released on Friday.

The move sees Japan replacing Australia as the highest ranked Asian team.
 
As for the Matildas, their defeats in the semi-finals and third-place playoff cost them as they dropped one spot to 11th.

Al Ain aim to impress, says Schreuder

Fri, 25 Aug, 2023

Al Ain aim to impress, says Schreuder

Dubai: Al Ain FC will respect their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 group stage opponents but will not compromise on their playing style as they mark a return to the tournament after a two-year absence.

The inaugural AFC Champions League winners in 2003, UAE's Al Ain were drawn in Group A of the 2023/24 edition with Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor FC, Al Fayha of Saudi Arabia and Turkmenistan's Al Ain FC for company. 
 
Head coach Alfred Schreuder said it is very important for Al Ain to impress in their return to the tournament. 

Mumbai City's Buckingham calls for focus ahead of exciting group stage

Fri, 25 Aug, 2023

Mumbai City's Buckingham calls for focus ahead of exciting group stage

Mumbai: While excited with Mumbai City FC's AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 group stage draw, head coach Des Buckingham has said it is very important for his side to remain focused on the challenges ahead.

The Indian side were drawn in Group D with Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal SFC, Nassaji Mazandaran FC of Islamic Republic of Iran and Uzbekistan's Navbahor.
 
Drawing the Neymar-powered Al Hilal particularly excited the Mumbai players but Buckingham warned his players that all the matches would be tough.

Solari: Tough draw but JDT will be up for the challenge

Fri, 25 Aug, 2023

Solari: Tough draw but JDT will be up for the challenge

Kuala Lumpur: Johor Darul Ta’zim will not take their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 group stage opponents for granted despite drawing two of the teams they faced last year en route to their historic knockout stage appearance.

In a repeat of last season’s group stage, the Malaysian champions were drawn together with Korea Republic’s Ulsan Hyundai and Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale, with Thailand’s BG Pathum United completing the Group I cast.