30 Players Represent AFC Clubs in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations

Sat, 08 Jan, 2022

30 Players Represent AFC Clubs in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations

Dubai: The first major international tournament in 2022 gets underway in Cameroon on Sunday with 24 African teams competing in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, and there is no shortage of Asia-based talents to watch. The-AFC.com digs into the squads to explore the footprint of Asian football in the upcoming competition.

Some high-profile Asia-based players miss out on this edition of AFCON such as Tunisia pair Yassine Meriah (Al Ain) and Feras Belarbi (Ajman) and Nigeria forward Odion Ighalo (Al Shabab), while others see their nations miss out including 2021 AFC Champions League top scorer Michael Olunga whose Kenya team were pipped out to Cameroon 2021 by debutants Comoros.

Al Jazira lift UAE Super Cup

Sat, 08 Jan, 2022

Al Jazira lift UAE Super Cup

Al Ain: UAE Pro League defending champions Al Jazira claimed their maiden UAE Super Cup title after defeating Shabab Al Ahli 5-3 on penalties at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Friday.

After a scoreless first half, Shabab Al Ahli took the lead with Al Jazira scoring a late equaliser before prevailing in the penalty shootout.

Remembering the 2011 AFC Asian Cup

Sat, 08 Jan, 2022

Remembering the 2011 AFC Asian Cup

Kuala Lumpur: January 7th marks 11 years since the 2011 AFC Asian Cup kicked off in the Qatari capital Doha. A tournament that concluded 22 days later with Japan picking up a record fourth continental title.

Hosted in five stadiums, two of which are set to host games in the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the-AFC.com takes a stroll down memory lane for one of the most exciting editions in AFC Asian Cup history.

Four years after the unique experience of hosting the 2007 AFC Asian Cup in four countries for the first time in the competition’s history, eyes turned to the west of the continent with Qatar playing hosts to Asia’s top national teams’ competition for the second time in their history after 1988.

Iraq arrived in Doha as reigning champions, while Saudi Arabia and Japan were eager to establish advantage in the race to dominate the continent, having won three AFC Asian Cup titles each. And while there were no debutants, the 2011 edition saw the return of India for the first time since 1984, DPR Korea for the first time since 1992 and Syria who had been absent since 1996.

Al Hilal defeat Al Faisaly to clinch Saudi Super Cup

Fri, 07 Jan, 2022

Al Hilal defeat Al Faisaly to clinch Saudi Super Cup

Riyadh: Reigning AFC Champions League holders Al Hilal SFC added new silverware to their trophy cabinet after defeating Al Faisaly FC 4-3 on penalties in the Saudi Super Cup at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on Thursday.

The two sides were locked 2-2 at the end of extra time with Al Hilal prevailing in the decisive shootout to win their third Saudi Super Cup title.

AFC Futsal Asian Cup Kuwait 2022™ Qualifiers draw reveals path to Finals for teams

Thu, 06 Jan, 2022

AFC Futsal Asian Cup Kuwait 2022™ Qualifiers draw reveals path to Finals for teams

Kuala Lumpur: Asia’s futsal stars discovered their challengers following the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Kuwait 2022™ Qualifiers virtual draw ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

With host nation Kuwait already assured of a place in the tournament, the 30 participating Member Associations (MAs) were divided into the East and West Zones while the Central and South Zones were combined.

For the combined Central and South Zones, 12-time champions Islamic Republic of Iran were drawn in Group A alongside Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan and Maldives. Four-time runners-up Uzbekistan will face Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Nepal in Group B.

In the East Zone, three-time champions Japan will have China PR and Mongolia for company in Group A, while Chinese Taipei, Korea Republic and Hong Kong are in Group B.

Mehdi Taremi named among Finalists for FIFA Puskas Award

Fri, 07 Jan, 2022

Mehdi Taremi named among Finalists for FIFA Puskas Award

Kuala Lumpur: FIFA has announced that Islamic Republic of Iran star forward Mehdi Taremi is among the final three nominees for the FIFA Puskas Award, the prize given to the player judged to have scored the most aesthetically pleasing goal.

Taremi was nominated for the award following his sensational bicycle kick goal for club side FC Porto scored against Chelsea FC in the 2021 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals on 13 April, 2021.

Wolves sign Japan international Hayao Kawabe

Thu, 06 Jan, 2022

Wolves sign Japan international Hayao Kawabe

London: English Premier League side Wolves on Wednesday announced the signing of Japan international Hayao Kawabe from Swiss Super League side Grasshoppers.

The midfielder, who signed a three-and-a-half-year deal, is expected to return to Switzerland to complete the season on loan after spending January at Molineux.

The 26-year-old, who has four caps, joined Grasshoppers from Sanfrecce Hiroshima in July and has made 18 appearances, scoring four goals.