Nakamura signs for Ligue 1 club Reims

Fri, 11 Aug, 2023

Nakamura signs for Ligue 1 club Reims

Lille: Japan international Keito Nakamura has signed a five-year deal with French club Reims for a reported fee of 10 million euros from Austrian club LASK, the Ligue 1 side said on Thursday.

The 23-year-old forward scored 20 goals in all competitions for LASK and had reportedly been the subject of interest from other clubs including Lille.

Iniesta 'opens new page' with Emirates

Thu, 10 Aug, 2023

Iniesta 'opens new page' with Emirates

Ras Al Khaimah: Spanish football legend Andres Iniesta completed his signing for UAE Pro League side Emirates FC on Wednesday.

Iniesta announced in May that he was leaving Vissel Kobe in Japan earlier than expected after spending large parts of the J-League season on the bench.

Kessie joins Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli from Barcelona

Thu, 10 Aug, 2023

Kessie joins Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli from Barcelona

Paris: Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie on Wednesday joined Saudi Arabian outfit Al Ahli in a 12.5 million euro move from Barcelona, the teams announced.

Al Ahly have already signed Brazilian star Roberto Firmino from Liverpool, Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from Chelsea and Riyad Mahrez from Manchester City.

VORTEXAC23: Official Match Ball of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ unveiled

Thu, 10 Aug, 2023

VORTEXAC23: Official Match Ball of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ unveiled

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Kelme have unveiled the official match ball of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, marking a new milestone on the path to the highly anticipated competition, set to take place from 12 January to 10 February 2024 in Qatar.

VORTEXAC23 is designed to capture the excitement, passion, and speed of the game of football while incorporating the iconic maroon colours of the host nation, Qatar. The ball’s design also parallels the emblem of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, which is featured at its centre, drawing inspiration from the emblem’s unique colours and shapes to encapsulate the spirit of the competition as well as that of Asian football.

Preview - Q-final: Japan v Sweden

Fri, 11 Aug, 2023

Preview - Q-final: Japan v Sweden

Auckland: Japan will not opt for a defensive approach when they take on Sweden in their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 quarter-final on Friday.

The meeting at Auckland's Eden Park is between two teams who impressed on route to the quarter-finals, with Japan registering a perfect record of four wins while Sweden eliminated a United States side seeking a third consecutive title and fifth overall.

QF - Japan v Sweden: Facts & Figures

Thu, 10 Aug, 2023

QF - Japan v Sweden: Facts & Figures

Auckland: Japan and Sweden are set for an enticing FIFA Women's World Australia & New Zealand 2023 quarter-final showdown on Friday. 

Ahead of the last eight tie at Auckland's Eden Park, join the-AFC.com as we take a look at some interesting facts and figures. 

Fast, cool, deadly: Miyazawa spearheads Japan charge

Wed, 09 Aug, 2023

Fast, cool, deadly: Miyazawa spearheads Japan charge

Tokyo: Hinata Miyazawa had never been prolific for club or country before the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand - now she is the tournament's leading scorer and spearheading Japan's surprise title charge.

The 23-year-old already has five goals in four matches and has Sweden in her sights in Friday's quarter-final in Auckland.

Preview - Q-final: Spain v Netherlands

Fri, 11 Aug, 2023

Preview - Q-final: Spain v Netherlands

Wellington: Netherlands coach Andries Jonker says he knows everything about Spain ahead of their FIFA Women's World Australia & New Zealand 2023 quarter-final on Friday, thanks in part to former Spanish international Damaris Egurrola.

Egurrola made one appearance for Spain in a friendly and was a regular in their youth teams, but the midfielder now plays for the Netherlands and is contention to start in Wellington.