Korea Republic held by New Zealand; Australia defeat Thailand; Japan edged by Spain

Wed, 16 Nov, 2022

Korea Republic held by New Zealand; Australia defeat Thailand; Japan edged by Spain

Christchurch: Korea Republic needed a second half intervention from Park Yee-un to secure a 1-1 draw against New Zealand in an international friendly at the Orangetheory Stadium on Tuesday.

Park netted in the 57th minute to cancel out Olivia Chance’s 13th minute strike with Korea Republic missing a penalty in the closing stages of the game.

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Socceroos legend Cahill appointed Australia's Head of Delegation

Tue, 15 Nov, 2022

Socceroos legend Cahill appointed Australia's Head of Delegation

Doha: One of Australian football’s most decorated former players, Tim Cahill has joined the Socceroos’ official staff for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as Head of Delegation. 

Cahill, who scored 50 goals in his 108 Socceroos’ appearances and represented his country at four FIFA World Cups, will support the team and staff on and off the field. 

Team Profile: Japan

Tue, 15 Nov, 2022

Team Profile: Japan

Doha: Making their seventh successive appearance at the FIFA World Cup™ since debuting in France in 1998, Japan have appeared in more editions than any other Asian nation except Korea Republic. 

Three Round of 16 appearances remain their best performances to date and, with a squad of players spread around Europe’s top leagues as well as a sprinkling of J1 League-based talent, the Samurai Blue will be targeting the knockout rounds once more.

Shaikh Salman sends best wishes to Asian teams and officials ahead of Qatar 2022

Tue, 15 Nov, 2022

Shaikh Salman sends best wishes to Asian teams and officials ahead of Qatar 2022

Kuala Lumpur: With the focus of world football firmly set on Qatar, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has sent his best wishes to Asia’s teams and match officials ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. 

In another clear sign of Asia’s remarkable progress, a record six teams from the Continent as well as the largest ever ensemble of 19 AFC match officials will be looking to stand proud amongst the world’s best at the global showpiece from November 20 to December 18.

Qatar 2022 - Know Your Group H Teams

Tue, 15 Nov, 2022

Qatar 2022 - Know Your Group H Teams

Doha: Korea Republic will have no margin for error in Group H of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

With Portugal, Uruguay and Ghana to contend with, Korea Republic will have to be at the top of their game if they are to progress to the knockout stage for the first time since 2010. 

Ito: Over half the world will be watching — that's huge

Tue, 15 Nov, 2022

Ito: Over half the world will be watching — that's huge

Doha: A key player for Japan, Junya Ito is one of the first names on the team sheet and he will have to remain on song if the Samurai Blue are to survive arguably one of the toughest groups and reach the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

He may have struggled for game time when head coach Hajime Moriyasu first took over, but Ito soon warmed up when it came to the AFC Asian Qualifiers. In fact, red hot is the only way to describe his final-round performance, with four goals and two assists. Having also won a penalty, he had a hand in seven goals in all, more than half Japan’s total.

Even so, his road to the big time was more leisurely than fast track. He played football in high school and college, but his big break came when spotted by a scout. Next came a move to Ventforet Kofu, famous for an unlikely Emperor’s Cup victory in Japan. Hard work and resilience would then see him rise up the ranks to his present stellar status.

This season, he moved to Stade de Reims in the French Ligue 1, where he quickly became the team’s beating heart. Ito joined FIFA to share his thoughts on the World Cup and his hopes for the tournament.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy in numbers

Tue, 15 Nov, 2022

The FIFA World Cup Trophy in numbers

Doha: Who didn't dream at least once of lifting this cup themselves when they were a kid? Playing at the FIFA World Cup Finals is a dream that does not come true for every player and even fewer manage to hold the trophy aloft. Winning this trophy means becoming a football legend and being remembered as a hero for the rest of your life. 

From Diego Armando Maradona to Zinedine Zidane, via Ronaldo and Bastian Schweinsteiger – plenty of footballing legends have had the pleasure of lifting this trophy heavenward and by doing so have gone down in history forever.

Qatar welcomes first teams ahead of Sunday's opener

Tue, 15 Nov, 2022

Qatar welcomes first teams ahead of Sunday's opener

Doha: With the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 getting under way later this week, stars from across the globe have been jetting in to Doha.

Hamad International Airport has seen a host of nations touch down, with Gregg Berhalter’s USA squad among the first to land for the first global showpiece to be held in the Arab world.

Official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Fan Guide available now

Tue, 15 Nov, 2022

Official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Fan Guide available now

Doha: Tickets? Check. Hayya Card and accommodation? Check. What’s left before embarking on the experience of a lifetime? The official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Fan Guide, newly published, is available now for download and collection.

The 128-page Fan Guide is the essential one-stop resource for everything connected to the best FIFA World Cup ever, including key information on teams, stadiums, match schedules, and transportation on match day. 

ASEAN Wrap: Hanoi claim historic sixth crown; Wanderers win Sydney derby

Mon, 14 Nov, 2022

ASEAN Wrap: Hanoi claim historic sixth crown; Wanderers win Sydney derby

Kuala Lumpur: Hanoi FC are now the most successful club in Vietnamese football history after being crowned V.League champions for a record sixth time, at the same time qualifying for the group stages of the AFC Champions League™ for the very first time. 

Jamie Maclaren continued his goalscoring streak in the A-League netting for the sixth game running in leaders Melbourne City’s 2-1 win over Newcastle Jets, while Western Sydney Wanderers edged Sydney FC 1-0 in a high-octane derby in Australia. 
 
There was also action in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Cambodia and Myanmar, so join the-AFC.com as we review the games from around ASEAN.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Pakhtakor surge to title

Mon, 14 Nov, 2022

Central & South Asia Wrap: Pakhtakor surge to title

Tashkent: FC Pakhtakor showed nerves of steel to power their way to their 15th Uzbekistan Super League title.

In India, there was joy for Kerala Blasters, while Mumbai City won big in the Indian Super League.

Join the-AFC.com as we dive into the past week’s domestic action across Central and South Asia.