Japan's Kamada joins Crystal Palace

Tue, 02 Jul, 2024

Japan's Kamada joins Crystal Palace

London: Japan midfielder Daichi Kamada has signed for Crystal Palace from Lazio, the English Premier League club announced on Monday.

The two-year deal, which is subject to international clearance, has been agreed following the end of Kamada's contract with the Serie A side.

It also sees the Japan international reunited with Oliver Glasner after the 27-year-old played under the Palace manager at Eintracht Frankfurt, where Kamada scored 40 goals in 179 appearances.

Road to 26: Six matches to look out for

Fri, 28 Jun, 2024

Road to 26: Six matches to look out for

Kuala Lumpur: The draw for the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road To 26 held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday has produced a string of encounters over the upcoming months that Asian football fans can look forward to with great excitement.

Eighteen nations were divided into three groups, with eight confirmed places and a possible additional spot via a playoff on offer for Asia at the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

With the draw setting up several high-profile clashes in the next phase of the qualifiers beginning September 5, the-AFC.com takes a look at six such matches that stand out during the early stages of the AFC Asian Qualifiers third round.

Etheridge moves to Buriram United

Mon, 01 Jul, 2024

Etheridge moves to Buriram United

Bangkok: Philippines goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has signed for reigning Thailand champions Buriram United.

Etheridge, 34, joins Buriram from English Championship side Birmingham City, having also previously featured for Cardiff City.

Palestine’s Daboub gears up for ‘difficult’ campaign

Sun, 30 Jun, 2024

Palestine’s Daboub gears up for ‘difficult’ campaign

Kuala Lumpur: Palestine head coach Makram acknowledged that his side were dealt a tough hand on Thursday, following the draw for the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26.

The West Asians were placed in Group B alongside Korea Republic, Iraq, Jordan, Oman and Kuwait for the third round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying, with direct slots on offer to the top two finishers of each of the three groups.

Uzbekistan on mission to realise FIFA World Cup dream

Fri, 28 Jun, 2024

Uzbekistan on mission to realise FIFA World Cup dream

Kuala Lumpur: Uzbekistan are clear on their objectives after being placed in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 with team manager Sherzod Igamberdiev eyeing a successful campaign.

Kicking off their bid for a first appearance on the global stage with a home tie DPR Korea on September 5, Uzbekistan will also have to contend with Islamic Republic of Iran, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Kyrgyz Republic to grab one of the two automatic spots from the group to the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Ivankovic urges China PR to believe

Sun, 30 Jun, 2024

Ivankovic urges China PR to believe

Kuala Lumpur: Branko Ivankovic wants his China PR squad to go into the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 believing they can compete with the other nations in Group C as the country attempts to secure a berth in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The Chinese have not qualified for the FIFA World Cup Finals since making their debut appearance in Japan and Korea Republic in 2002 and Ivankovic’s side have been handed a tough task after being drawn against Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Indonesia.

But after turning the nation’s qualifying campaign around in their last four matches in the second phase when he replaced Aleksandar Jankovic as coach in February, the experienced Croatian is confident his team can make an impact along the road to the Finals.