Al Nassr boost squad with midfielder Al Hassan

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Nassr boost squad with midfielder Al Hassan

Riyadh: 2020 AFC Champions League semi-finalists Al Nassr have boosted their squad with the signing of young international Ali Al Hassan.

The 23-year-old midfielder join Al Nassr from compatriots Al Fateh on a five-year deal as the Riyadh giants prepare for the start of the new Saudi Pro League season next week.

Vote for your AFC International Player of the Week

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vote for your AFC International Player of the Week

Kuala Lumpur: With bags of goals, penalty saves and last-minute heroics, Asian stars once again left their mark of the footballing world over the past seven days.

We’ve cast our net across Europe, Africa and North America to find the best Asian performers outside the continent over the last week. Now it’s up to you to help us select a winner.

Here are our 10 nominees from September 29 to October 5.

Pakhtakor contingent will be raring to take on IR Iran, says Uzbekistan’s Abramov

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Pakhtakor contingent will be raring to take on IR Iran, says Uzbekistan’s Abramov

Tashkent: It may only be a friendly, but Vadim Abramov believes the Pakhtakor players in his Uzbekistan squad will be determined to defeat Islamic Republic of Iran when the two teams meet in an international friendly on Thursday.

The Uzbekistan squad features 11 players from Pakhtakor, the Tashkent club which exited the 2020 AFC Champions League after a 2-0 quarter-final defeat by Iranian champions Persepolis FC in Qatar last week.

Persepolis, who later went on to qualify for December’s continental final by beating Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, have supplied five players in the Iranian travelling party, which arrived in Tashkent on Tuesday night.

Fettouhi joins Al Ahli Saudi FC

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Fettouhi joins Al Ahli Saudi FC

Jeddah: Al Ahli Saudi FC announced on Tuesday the signing of Moroccan midfielder Driss Fettouhi from fellow Saudi Arabia side Al Hazem.

The 31-year-old midfielder signed with Al Ahli for one season with an option to renew the contract with the nine-time Saudi Pro League champions.

After playing for the youth teams of Wydad Casablanca, Fettouhi started his professional career in France with Le Havre before spending four seasons with second division outfit FC Istres.

Jordan's Al Taamari completes Belgium move

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Jordan's Al Taamari completes Belgium move

Nicosia: Jordan national team forward Musa Al Taamari has completed a move to Belgian top flight outfit Oud-Heverlee Leuven, the club announced on Monday.

This will be the 23-year-old winger's second stint in Europe after playing two seasons in Cyprus with APOEL, where he assisted the club to the 2018-2019 Cypriot League and 2019 Super Cup.

Al Taamari started his career in Jordan with Shabab Al Ordon in 2016 and made his international debut the same year, featuring in three matches in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 and scoring against Syria in the group stage.

Korea Republic's Kim relishing return to action as U23 side get set to take on senior Taeguk Warriors

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Korea Republic's Kim relishing return to action as U23 side get set to take on senior Taeguk Warriors

Paju: Much has changed since Korea Republic won the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 title in January.

The title meant Korea Republic would lead Asia's challenge in the Tokyo Olympics and it was a mission head coach Kim Hak-bum was relishing.

The COVID-19 pandemic, however, brought the world to a screeching halt as the Tokyo Olympics, pushed to next year, was among numerous sporting events either postponed or cancelled.

Teams, players raring to go as I-League Qualifier gets set for kickoff

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Teams, players raring to go as I-League Qualifier gets set for kickoff

Kolkata: With India's I-League 2020-21 Qualifier set to kick off on Thursday, the five teams in the fray for the single available slot are putting in the final touches.

The I-League Qualifier - the first sporting event in India since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic - will feature ARA FC from Gujarat, Kolkata's Bhawanipore FC, Garhwal FC of New Delhi, FC Bengaluru United of Bengaluru and Kolkata's Mohammedan SC.

The five teams set up base in the centralised venue of Kolkata several days ago as part of the safety measures require those involved to undergo a four-day isolation period.