Japan lead AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ cast

Thu, 21 Dec, 2023

Japan lead AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ cast

Kuala Lumpur:  Japan will head to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ as the top ranked Asian side.

The four-time AFC Asian Cup winners maintained their 17th spot in the latest FIFA World Ranking issued on Thursday.
 
Facing them in Group D at Qatar 2023 will be Iraq (ranked 63), Vietnam (94) and Indonesia (146).

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2999054.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2999056.html

Player to Watch: Salem Al Dawsari (Saudi Arabia)

Thu, 21 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Salem Al Dawsari (Saudi Arabia)

Kuala Lumpur: Saudi Arabia winger Salem Al Dawsari’s stunning strike against eventual champions Argentina in their group stage opener at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has remained one of the most enduring images from the tournament a year ago. 

After Saleh Al Shehri cancelled out Lionel Messi’s opener, Al Dawsari plucked the ball out from the sky, negated two Argentine markers and unleashed a strike which curled past Emiliano Martinez and rested in the top corner to produce one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. 
 
That monumental goal proved why Al Dawsari has been hailed as one of best footballers in the continent in recent times, took home the AFC Player of the Year gong this year, and is tipped to become one of the leading stars of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

The Official Match Ball of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Final Revealed

Wed, 20 Dec, 2023

The Official Match Ball of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Final Revealed

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Kelme have unveiled the Official Match Ball of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Final, as passionate fans across the globe gear up for the biggest continental showdown kicking off in Qatar on 12 January 2024.

The Official Final Match Ball, named VORTEXAC23+, builds on the design of the Official Match Ball of the tournament, VORTEXAC23, and embodies the glory of the highly anticipated decider of the competition on 10 February 2024. 

Semi-Automated Offside Technology to debut at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™

Mon, 18 Dec, 2023

Semi-Automated Offside Technology to debut at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™

Kuala Lumpur: Match officials at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ will be able to enhance their decision-making process with the Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) system, which will be implemented at all 51 matches of the tournament.

This marks the first time that SAOT will be in place at an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competition and makes the AFC the first Confederation in world football to apply the system at the Continental Men’s national team level, which further underscores the AFC’s commitment towards improving accuracy and integrity of decision-making by its match officials.

Join the Excitement: Celebrate AFC Asian Cup™'s Magical Moments!

Mon, 18 Dec, 2023

Join the Excitement: Celebrate AFC Asian Cup™'s Magical Moments!

Kuala Lumpur: As the countdown to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ ticks away with just under 26 days left, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) invites football enthusiasts to partake in the exhilarating Magic Moments Bracket Challenge Contest presented by Visit Saudi. 

Unfolding across four gripping rounds starting on 18 December 2023, this contest invites fans to relive the glory of Asian Cup history by voting for their most cherished moments. In each round, fans engage in head-to-head matchups, casting votes for their favorite moments, with the winning magic moment progressing to the next stage. 

Test Your Knowledge - Round 10

Sun, 17 Dec, 2023

Test Your Knowledge - Round 10

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Cup™ quiz turns its focus on to the players - past and present - with more challenging questions about the continent's premier national team tournament.

Try it out to see how well versed you - the fans - are as the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ rapidly approaches.

Thrilling battle lines to be drawn for AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Knockout Stage

Thu, 28 Dec, 2023

Thrilling battle lines to be drawn for AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Knockout Stage

Kuala Lumpur: The excitement levels surrounding the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 will ratchet up another notch when the Knockout Stage encounters are revealed next Thursday, December 28 at 16:00 (UTC+8).

Of the 40 teams that contested the 21st edition of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s flagship club competition when it kicked off in September 2023, 16 sides have come through the Group Stage to take their places ahead of the official draw ceremony at the AFC House.
 
Eight teams each from the West Region and East Region – five Group winners and the three best runners-up – will discover their path to the Final, starting with the eight two-legged Round of 16 ties in February 2024.

AFC Cup™ 2023/24 contenders set for Knockout Stage Draw

Thu, 21 Dec, 2023

AFC Cup™ 2023/24 contenders set for Knockout Stage Draw

Kuala Lumpur: The path to ultimate glory in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 will be laid out on Thursday, December 28 at 14:00 (UTC+8) when the official draw ceremony for the Knockout Stage takes place at the AFC House.

Eleven teams have progressed from the Group Stage of the 19th edition of the iconic tournament, which kicked off in September and featured 36 teams from across the Confederation’s five Zones.

Preview - 3rd Place Playoff: Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) v Al Ahly FC (EGY)

Thu, 21 Dec, 2023

Preview - 3rd Place Playoff: Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) v Al Ahly FC (EGY)

Jeddah: Urawa Red Diamonds will aim to bring the curtains down on their FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023 campaign with a medal on Friday.

The three-time AFC Champions League™ winners face African champions Al Ahly FC in the third-place playoff seeking to emulate their 2007 finish.
 
Urawa, despite a spirited display, eventually had to concede defeat to Manchester City in the semi-finals on Tuesday, with the European champions cruising to a 3-0 win.