Neymar signs for Al Hilal

Wed, 16 Aug, 2023

Neymar signs for Al Hilal

Riyadh: Brazil forward Neymar has signed for Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal SFC after six seasons with French champions Paris Saint-Germain, the two clubs announced on Tuesday.

“I am here in Saudi Arabia, I am Hilali,” the 31-year-old Neymar said in a video posted on the club’s social media accounts.

Preliminary: Hong Kong Rangers (HKG) 1-4 Haiphong FC (VIE) - AET

Thu, 17 Aug, 2023

Preliminary: Hong Kong Rangers (HKG) 1-4 Haiphong FC (VIE) - AET

Hong Kong: Haiphong FC will take on K-League side Incheon United in the 2023/24 AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 playoffs next week after the Vietnamese club fought back to defeat Hong Kong Rangers 4-1 in extra-time at Mongkok Stadium on Tuesday.

Yuri Mamute scored twice in extra-time while Martin Lo was also on target to secure a
comeback win for the V.League 1 side, who needed a late equaliser from Nguyen Tuan Anh to see off the Hong Kong side after Yumemi Kanda had given the hosts a 41st minute lead.
 
The win takes Haiphong into the meeting with the club from Korea Republic in Incheon next Tuesday after the superior fitness of Chu Dinh Nghiem’s side, currently mid-way through their domestic campaign, paid off against a Rangers side playing their first game of the season.

Preliminary Round 2: FC Merw (TKM) 1-0 FC Alay (KGZ)

Wed, 16 Aug, 2023

Preliminary Round 2: FC Merw (TKM) 1-0 FC Alay (KGZ)

Mary: Musa Nurnazarov's first half strike proved to be the all-important difference as Turkmenistan's FC Merw triumphed 1-0 over FC Alay of Kyrgyz Republic in their AFC Cup™ Preliminary Round 2 match at SportsComplex on Tuesday.

From a corner kick routine in the 13th minute, Nurnazarov headed in a perfect delivery from the left foot of Mukam Nazzyyev to send the home crowd into raptures.
 
Merw will face Tajikistan's FC Khujand in the Playoffs on August 22 for a place in the group stage.

Preview - S-final: Australia v England

Wed, 16 Aug, 2023

Preview - S-final: Australia v England

Sydney: Head coach Tony Gustavsson believes there is no margin for error when Australia face England in their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 semi-final at Stadium Australia on Wednesday.

Both teams will meet for the first time in the competition with Australia having a psychological advantage after defeating England 2-0 in a recent friendly with Gustavsson confident his team will be prepared to face the unbeaten European champions  who have scored 10 goals in the tournament.

SF - Australia v England: Facts & Figures

Tue, 15 Aug, 2023

SF - Australia v England: Facts & Figures

Sydney: Not a single empty seat is expected at Stadium Australia when Australia face England in their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 semi-final on Wednesday.

Both teams are bidding to lift the trophy for the first time and ahead of the highly-anticipated last four clash, the-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts and figures. 

Spain beat Sweden to reach final

Tue, 15 Aug, 2023

Spain beat Sweden to reach final

Auckland: Olga Carmona's stunning late strike gave Spain a 2-1 win over Sweden on Tuesday to propel them into the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 final for the first time in their history.

Spain's thrilling victory at Eden Park sets up a showdown in Sydney on Sunday with either Australia or England, who meet in the other semi-final on Wednesday.
 
The semi-final in Auckland seemed to be drifting towards extra time before suddenly bursting to life when substitute Salma Paralluelo put Spain ahead with nine minutes left.
 
Rebecka Blomqvist equalised for Sweden in the 88th minute only for full-back Carmona, Spain's captain, to score with a superb shot in off the underside of the crossbar from the edge of the box.

Winning starts for Al Ittihad, Al Hilal; Al Nassr edged by Al Ettifaq

Tue, 15 Aug, 2023

Winning starts for Al Ittihad, Al Hilal; Al Nassr edged by Al Ettifaq

Riyadh: Al Ittihad kicked off their defence of the Saudi Pro League title with an impressive 3-0 win over Al Raed on Monday.

Al Hilal SFC, aiming to regain the trophy after a third-placed finish in 2022-23, scored a 3-1 win over Abha but Al Nassr fell to a 2-1 defeat against Al Ettifaq despite Sadio Mane scoring on his debut. 

AFC Executive Committee approves biggest prize purse in Asian club football history from 2024/25; announces AFC Women’s Champions League

Mon, 14 Aug, 2023

AFC Executive Committee approves biggest prize purse in Asian club football history from 2024/25; announces AFC Women’s Champions League

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Committee today heralded a new era for Asian club football by unveiling the names of the three new club competitions alongside significant increases in funding for the 76 Participating Teams, as well as announcing the introduction of the AFC Women’s Champions League.

The three groundbreaking initiatives, which are aimed at propelling Asian football to new heights and fostering greater growth and inclusivity, will take effect from the 2024-2025 season.