Japan end 2024 as Asia's best

Thu, 19 Dec, 2024

Japan end 2024 as Asia's best

Kuala Lumpur: Japan maintained their position as Asia's top side, with the top 10 staying unchanged following the latest FIFA World Ranking released on Thursday.

The biggest movers were Vietnam, who improved two spots to occupy 114th with Hong Kong, China moving up a rung to 155th in the world rankings.

Teams learn Thailand 2025 challengers

Thu, 19 Dec, 2024

Teams learn Thailand 2025 challengers

Kuala Lumpur: The stage is set for the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 following the draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The 16 teams were divided into four groups with the tournament to be played at the Jomtien Beach in Pattaya from March 20 to 30, 2025.

Year in Review: AFC Champions League™ 2023/24

Tue, 17 Dec, 2024

Year in Review: AFC Champions League™ 2023/24

Kuala Lumpur: Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates won the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 in stunning fashion, defeating Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos in a thrilling final played over two legs.

With the AFC's club competitions transitioning to a new format from the 2024/25 season, it was only fitting that the inaugural winners brought the curtains down on the AFC Champions League by waltzing their way to a second title.

Group B: Vietnam strike late to hold Philippines; Myanmar edge Laos to keep hopes alive

Wed, 18 Dec, 2024

Group B: Vietnam strike late to hold Philippines; Myanmar edge Laos to keep hopes alive

Manila: Doan Ngoc Tan scored in the seventh minute of time added on as Vietnam salvaged a 1-1 draw in their 2024 ASEAN Championship Group B tie against the Philippines at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Wednesday. 

The result took Vietnam - on seven points - within touching distance of the semi-finals as they only need to avoid defeat against Myanmar - who defeated Laos 3-2 - on Saturday to confirm their berth.

Philippines - on three points - still have a chance but they have to beat Indonesia and hope Myanmar lose to Vietnam.

Year in Review: AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024

Fri, 13 Dec, 2024

Year in Review: AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024

Kuala Lumpur: DPR Korea emerged champions of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 with a 1-0 win over Japan in the final.

Korea Republic finished third after edging China 2-1 in the playoff with the top three finishers qualifying for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Dominican Republic 2024.

Group A: Super Thailand beat Singapore to confirm last four berth

Tue, 17 Dec, 2024

Group A: Super Thailand beat Singapore to confirm last four berth

Singapore: Thailand fought back from two goals down to defeat Singapore 4-2 in their 2024 ASEAN Championship Group A tie on Tuesday.

The result confirmed Thailand's progress to the semi-finals while Singapore's fate will be decided on Friday when they face Malaysia.

Singapore are on six points, with Malaysia and Cambodia - who defeated Timor-Leste 2-1 on Tuesday - two behind.

Hong Kong see off Guam to book Finals ticket

Tue, 17 Dec, 2024

Hong Kong see off Guam to book Finals ticket

Hong Kong: Everton Camargo stole the spotlight with a goal and three assists while Philip Chan Siu-Kwan bagged a brace as Hong Kong, China cruised to a commanding 5-0 win over Guam in the 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary final on Tuesday.

The win secured Hong Kong’s spot in next July’s final round, joining hosts Korea Republic, Japan and China PR.

Year in Review: AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Qatar 2024

Tue, 17 Dec, 2024

Year in Review: AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Qatar 2024

Kuala Lumpur: Japan became the first team to emerge two-time champions after lifting the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ title in May.

It was a well deserved triumph for Go Oiwa's side as they added the title to the one won in 2016 while runners-up Uzbekistan and third-placed Iraq joined them in qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Holland takes charge of Yokohama F. Marinos

Tue, 17 Dec, 2024

Holland takes charge of Yokohama F. Marinos

Yokohama: Yokohama F Marinos have named former England assistant coach Steve Holland as their new manager, the J1 League outfit announced on Tuesday.

The 54-year-old takes over as the long-term replacement for Harry Kewell, who led the club to the final of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 but left in July due to a run of poor domestic form.

#ACLElite records impressive League Stage spectatorship figures

Tue, 17 Dec, 2024

#ACLElite records impressive League Stage spectatorship figures

Kuala Lumpur: Fans of Asian football have made their passion known in the strongest terms in the ongoing AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite) 2024/25 season, which has generated remarkable attendance statistics.

After six Matchdays of the current League Stage, the ACL Elite has witnessed an average attendance of 11,966, which exceeds official figures from the 2022 and 2023/24 editions of its predecessor, the AFC Champions League™. This mark is 17% higher than the average of 10,194 from the first six Matchdays in the 2023/24 Group Stage.

Europe Wrap: Lee brace sinks Bayern; Maeda spot-kick secures Celtic League Cup

Tue, 17 Dec, 2024

Europe Wrap: Lee brace sinks Bayern; Maeda spot-kick secures Celtic League Cup

Kuala Lumpur: Lee Jae-sung's brace saw Mainz 05 stun Bayern Munich 2-1 as the German giants lead at the top of the Bundesliga was reduced to four points.

Daizen Maeda struck the winning penalty as Celtic defeated Rangers in the final of the Scottish League Cup while Son Heung-min created more history after scoring one and assisting two in Tottenham Hotspur's win over Southampton.

Saudi Arabia's Saud Abdulhamid also created history in Italy so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how the Asian contingent fared across Europe this past week.