Junker leaves Urawa for Nagoya Grampus

Sat, 07 Jan, 2023

Junker leaves Urawa for Nagoya Grampus

Tokyo: Danish striker Kasper Junker has left AFC Champions League™ 2022 finalists Urawa Red Diamonds to join fellow J1 League side Nagoya Grampus on a one-year loan.

The 28-year-old scored four times in six games as Urawa booked their place in the continental decider, which will be played on April 29 and May 6, but he will take no part in the final after completing the switch.

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Winning start for Saudi Arabia, Iraq-Oman settle for draw

Sat, 07 Jan, 2023

Winning start for Saudi Arabia, Iraq-Oman settle for draw

Basra: Saudi Arabia kicked off their 2023 Gulf Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Yemen on Friday.

In Group A's second match, hosts Iraq had to settle for a goalless draw with Oman. 

Indonesia, Vietnam play to first leg stalemate

Fri, 06 Jan, 2023

Indonesia, Vietnam play to first leg stalemate

Jakarta: Indonesia and Vietnam settled for a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their 2022 AFF Cup semi-final at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Friday.

Indonesia were the better side but were wasteful in front of goal and two-time champions Vietnam will now be confident of winning Monday's return leg in Hanoi.

Preview – Semi-final, 1st Leg: Malaysia v Thailand

Fri, 06 Jan, 2023

Preview – Semi-final, 1st Leg: Malaysia v Thailand

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia will host defending champions Thailand in the first leg of the 2022 AFF Cup semi-finals at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Saturday as the two sides look to book a place in the final of ASEAN’s showpiece tournament. 

Malaysia’s only triumph in the regional competition came in 2010, but they have since reached the final twice, in 2014 and 2018. However, after a group stage exit last time around, the Harimau Malaya are eyeing another shot at the title in the 2022 edition. 
 
After beating Indonesia 6–2 on aggregate in the last edition’s final to lift a record-extending sixth AFF Cup title, Thailand, meanwhile, are looking to continue their dominance of Southeast Asian football. 

Mabil moves to Czech Republic’s Sparta Prague

Thu, 05 Jan, 2023

Mabil moves to Czech Republic’s Sparta Prague

Prague: Australia international Awer Mabil has joined Czech Republic’s Sparta Prague on loan from La Liga side Cadiz.

The 27-year-old winger made two appearances for the Socceroos in their recent FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 campaign, coming on as a substitute in their Group D matches against France and Tunisia.

Japan's Jun Amano joins Jeonbuk

Thu, 05 Jan, 2023

Japan's Jun Amano joins Jeonbuk

Jeonju: Former Japan international midfielder Jun Amano has joined two-time AFC Champions League™ winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on loan from Yokohama F Marinos after spending last season with K1 League winners Ulsan Hyundai.

The 31-year-old returned to the J1 League outfit upon the conclusion of his season-long deal with Ulsan, where he played 28 times and scored eight goals as the Hong Myung-bo led club won the league title for the first time since 2005.

When Global Stars Arrive In Asia

Tue, 03 Jan, 2023

When Global Stars Arrive In Asia

Kuala Lumpur: Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr has created waves across world football, with the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus attacker signing a contract until 2025 with the Riyadh giants as the Saudi Pro League continues to go from strength to strength. 

While Saudi Arabia has attracted numerous top-class talents to its shores in recent years, the arrival of Ronaldo marks another significant step forward for the ambitious league, where Brazil’s 1970 FIFA World Cup winner Rivellino with Al Hilal SFC and Bulgarian legend Hristo Stoichkov, who was briefly at Al Nassr, are among the other greats to have played in the Gulf nation. 
 
As football fans across the globe turn their focus to Saudi Arabia to see how the five-time Ballon d’Or winner fares in his new club’s colours, join the-AFC.com as we look at some of the biggest names to have graced Asian football over the years. 

Ronaldo promises to break more records at Al Nassr

Wed, 04 Jan, 2023

Ronaldo promises to break more records at Al Nassr

Riyadh: Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was greeted by thousands of adoring fans at his official unveiling as an Al Nassr player on Tuesday. 

The 37-year-old, who won the Ballon d'Or five times and whose great rivalry with Lionel Messi dominated world football for well over a decade, was paraded at his new club's King Saud University Stadium after jetting in late on Monday.