June Transfer Wrap

Fri, 30 Jun, 2023

June Transfer Wrap

Riyadh: As the summer transfer window opened in several leagues across Asia and beyond, clubs have been busy making moves in the market, with the continent attracting some exciting players this month.

From Australia to Italy through Saudi Arabia and India, there has been a lot of activity in the first month of the summer. The-AFC.com wraps some of the major moves for Asian players, coaches and clubs in June.

Moriyama expects more from Japan

Fri, 30 Jun, 2023

Moriyama expects more from Japan

Pathum Thani: Yoshiro Moriyama  was all smiles after steering Japan into the final of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 on Thursday.

It was another classy performance from the three-time AFC U1-6 championship winners with head coach Moriyama again showing his tactical acumen to defeat very tough opponents.

Byun: Semi-final triumph was my destiny

Fri, 30 Jun, 2023

Byun: Semi-final triumph was my destiny

Pathum Thani: For Korea Republic head coach Byun Sung-hwan, his team’s semi-final clash in the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 against Uzbekistan was a textbook example of opportunity knocking twice at the door.

Before the tournament kicked off, Byun had let his team take a peek at the page in his personal journal where he had written about the grief of losing to Uzbekistan in the Qualifiers. It ignited a fire in his players and eight months later, the young Taeguk Warriors avenged the sorrow for their head coach.

We will be ready for the final, says Back

Fri, 30 Jun, 2023

We will be ready for the final, says Back

Pathum Thani: Back In-woo is confident Korea Republic have the ability and determination to overcome Japan in the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ 2023 final following their hard-fought 1-0 win over Uzbekistan in the semi-finals on Thursday.

Back’s heroics in the first half at the Pathum Thani Stadium proved enough for Korea Republic to book an all-East Asian showdown against Japan, who impressed in a 3-0 win against Islamic Republic of Iran in their semi-final.

With the match locked at 0-0, the Korea Republic No 8 stunned Uzbekistan in the 31st minute with a free-kick which sailed through a packed six-yard-box before settling into the bottom left corner of the net.

Rakhmatullaev: No looking back for Uzbekistan

Fri, 30 Jun, 2023

Rakhmatullaev: No looking back for Uzbekistan

Pathum Thani: Uzbekistan’s spirited efforts may have fallen short after Korea Republic edged them 1-0 to reach the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 final on Thursday but as the Central Asians reached the end of their campaign, head coach Jaloliddin Rakhmatullaev had nothing but praises for his charges. 

With the FIFA U17 World Cup Indonesia 2023 to look forward to, Rakhmatullaev took a moment to analyse the tournament that he has had, which marked his debut as the head coach of the young White Wolves. 

IR Iran's Abdi buoyant despite heartbreak

Fri, 30 Jun, 2023

IR Iran's Abdi buoyant despite heartbreak

Pathum Thani: Head coach Hossein Abdi was far from dismayed despite Islamic Republic of Iran's 3-0 defeat to Japan in their AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 semi-final on Thursday.

Iran had to concede to Japan's superiority at the Thammasat Stadium with Abdi admitting some of his players were unable to focus after finding themselves 2-0 down going into the break but said the experience gained in the tournament would not only help them in the FIFA U17 World Cup Indonesia 2023 Finals but also in the progress of their careers.

SAFF Championship 2023: Semi-Finals Preview

Fri, 30 Jun, 2023

SAFF Championship 2023: Semi-Finals Preview

Bengaluru: The semi-finals of the SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) Championship 2023 will take place on Saturday at Sree Kanteerava Stadium as the four remaining teams battle it out for a place in the showpiece event. 

Kuwait edged hosts India to top Group A, while Lebanon finished ahead of Bangladesh in Group B to mean two nations from South Asia and this year's two guest countries from West Asia remain in the hunt for the title. 
 
In what has been arguably the most captivating SAFF Championship in many a year, debutants Kuwait and Lebanon have impressed while neighbours India and Bangladesh aim to add to the titles they have previously won. The-AFC.com previews Saturday’s mouth-watering semi-final double-header.

Celtic and Australia midfielder Mooy retires

Fri, 30 Jun, 2023

Celtic and Australia midfielder Mooy retires

Sydney: Midfielder Aaron Mooy called time on his career for both club and country on Friday, informing Celtic and Australia of his immediate retirement.

The 32-year-old has been a mainstay of the Socceroos since his debut in 2015, featuring heavily in their 2018 and 2022 World Cup campaigns.
 
After successful spells with Manchester City, Huddersfield and Brighton, he moved to Celtic last year to help them secure the Scottish treble under former Australia boss Ange Postecoglou.

Late goal denies Qatar win

Fri, 30 Jun, 2023

Late goal denies Qatar win

Phoenix: Qatar were denied victory at the very end as Honduras equalised in the sixth minute of added time for a 1-1 draw in their CONCACAF Gold Cup Group B match on Thursday.

Conceding late had cost Qatar a 2-1 defeat to Haiti in their opening match and Thursday's result is a blow to their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage.