Iran Pro League return delayed by a week

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Iran Pro League return delayed by a week

Tehran: The long-awaited return of Islamic Republic of Iran’s top domestic football division, the Pro League, has been rescheduled to Wednesday, June 24.

Announced on Sunday, the new date represents a six-day delay from the June 18 return which had been announced previously.

According to a statement on the league’s official website, league boss Haidar Baharvand contacted all participating clubs to advise them of the new development, which is aimed at giving players more preparation time.

Central Asia Domestic Wrap: Ahal’s high five, excitement builds in Uzbekistan

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Central Asia Domestic Wrap: Ahal’s high five, excitement builds in Uzbekistan

Bishkek: FC Ahal powered past FC Energetik in a Yokary Liga mismatch, while Uzbekistan Super League clubs geared up for next weekend’s league resumption with a series of friendly matches.

Elsewhere, the highly anticipated reopening of IR Iran’s Pro League was postponed by just under a week, as league authorities announced June 24 as the new kick-off date.

Join the-AFC.com for all the key news and results from Abadan to Andijan.

East Asia & ASEAN Domestic Wrap: Hanoi win as V.League resumes

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

East Asia & ASEAN Domestic Wrap: Hanoi win as V.League resumes

Kuala Lumpur: After a near three-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 V.League resumed at the weekend with defending champions Hanoi FC easing to victory and table-toppers Ho Chi Minh City FC ending goalless but maintaning their position at the summit. 

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors returned to winning ways in Korea Republic by condemning FC Seoul to a second successive defeat, but Ulsan Hyundai remain unbeaten and hot on their heels after a convincing win over Pohang Steelers.

Elsewhere, there were mixed fortunes for Japan's Germany-based quintet, more friendlies in China PR and a Hong Kong legend hung up his boots, so join the-AFC.com as we review the talking points in East Asia and ASEAN.

Asian Classics: DPR Korea vs Italy (1966 FIFA World Cup Finals)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asian Classics: DPR Korea vs Italy (1966 FIFA World Cup Finals)

Kuala Lumpur: Asia's finest have had their fair share of stunning results at FIFA World Cup Finals but the honour of scoring the first famous victory for the Continent belongs to DPR Korea.

The East Asians stunned the world when they beat powerhouse Italy 1-0 in a 1966 Group Four tie to become the first nation outside of Europe and the Americas to seal a place in a FIFA World Cup quarter-final.

Pak Doo-ik scored what remains one of the FIFA World Cup's most famous goals, but it was team effort which took DPR Korea through to the last eight where they again amazed before losing 5-3 to a Eusébio-inspired Portugal.

Vote for your best ACL2017 Team: Goalkeeper

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vote for your best ACL2017 Team: Goalkeeper

Kuala Lumpur: The best XI of the 2016 AFC Champions League was decided last week, so now the-AFC.com turns to the next chapter of the Continent's most prestigious club tournament, the 2017 edition, to determine the best 11 players.

To select the candidates for each position, we have reflected on match data from the tournament to draw up a statistics-based approach to present the outstanding performers.

We begin with five candidates for the all-important number one shirt. Review the nominees and then choose your favourite goalkeeper to helm the rearguard for this all-star XI in the poll below.

Asian Qualifiers: The story so far

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asian Qualifiers: The story so far

Kuala Lumpur: With vital clashes in the second round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 looming later in the year, only three nations remain unscathed in their quest for a place in the third phase of the fight for a place in the Finals.

A perfect five wins from five games has marked Syria out not only as the leaders of Group A ahead of China PR but sees the West Asian nation stand tallest across the entirety of the qualifying phase with the best return to date.

Expert’s View: Asia’s Greatest Eredivisie Players

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Expert’s View: Asia’s Greatest Eredivisie Players

Kuala Lumpur: With well in excess of 100,000 fans casting their votes in our Asia’s Greatest Players polls in recent weeks, the attention turns to the top level of football in the Netherlands, and a league where numerous Asian players have excelled - the Eredivisie. 

Joining us to examine the nine-man shortlist announced on Friday is Jeroen Kapteijns, a seasoned football journalist for De Telegraaf, the country’s largest daily newspaper.

There is much to discuss, but when it comes to the core question of which nominee should be considered the continent’s most impactful player in Dutch football, Kapteijns found himself unable to separate two East Asian stars.