Afif stars as Qatar defeat Jordan to retain title

Tue, 13 Feb, 2024

Afif stars as Qatar defeat Jordan to retain title

Lusail: Akram Afif scored a hat-trick of penalties as Qatar won their second consecutive AFC Asian Cup™ title after defeating Jordan 3-1 in the Qatar 2023 final at a packed Lusail Stadium on Saturday.

Though Yazan Al Naimat’s equaliser gave first time finalists Jordan a flicker of hope, Afif’s coolness and Qatar’s overall superiority saw them defending the title they won in 2019 comfortably. 
 
Afif’s hat-trick, the first of the tournament, took his tally to eight as he was named the Most Valuable Player and took home the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Yili Top Scorer Award. 

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Super Afif named MVP, wins Yili Top Scorer Award

Sun, 11 Feb, 2024

Super Afif named MVP, wins Yili Top Scorer Award

Doha: Akram Afif was named the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Most Valuable Player and also picked up the Yili Top Scorer Award on Saturday as his outstanding performances helped Qatar clinch the Continental title for the second consecutive time. 

The striker, who netted a hat-trick of penalties in the final, scored eight goals and made three assists in a campaign which saw him play a major part in the Maroons retaining the title they won in 2019, becoming one of only five teams to have managed such feat. 

Qatar's Barsham takes Best Goalkeeper honour

Sun, 11 Feb, 2024

Qatar's Barsham takes Best Goalkeeper honour

Doha: Qatar's Meshaal Barsham was named the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Best Goalkeeper after playing a pivotal role in his side lifting the coveted trophy for the second successive time.

The custodian, who celebrates his 26th birthday on Wednesday, started six of Qatar's seven matches with the Maroons defeating Jordan 3-1 in a thrilling final at the Lusail Stadium on Saturday.

#ACL - Round of 16: New Arrivals

Sat, 10 Feb, 2024

#ACL - Round of 16: New Arrivals

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League™ 2023-24 returns with the Round of 16 kicking off on February 13, and the clubs involved have experienced a number of arrivals and departures since the group stage drew to a close in December.

With the off-season in China PR, Japan and Korea Republic taking place in their winter months, seven of the eight sides remaining in the East Asia side of the draw have been building for the new domestic campaign with an eye also on challenging for continental glory. 
 
There hasn't been much transfer movement in West Asia but Saudi Arabia clubs Al Hilal SFC and Al Nassr have made signings and ahead of the return of the Asia's premier club competition, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on the changes that have taken place since the group stage at the end of last year.

Round of 16: The Contenders

Fri, 09 Feb, 2024

Round of 16: The Contenders

Kuala Lumpur: Just three days after the final of a remarkable AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, the continent’s premier club competition will return when the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 knockout rounds get underway on February 13. 

Some 40 teams entered the group stage when it kicked off back in September, with eight former champions and numerous world-renowned stars from the Saudi Pro League among the initial cast. 
 
That number has now been whittled down to 16 as eight sides from East Asia and eight from West Asia battle it out to be crowned kings of Asia. Ahead of the first legs of the Round of 16, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on the teams. 

West and ASEAN Zone contenders to kick off #AFCCup Knockout Stage

Wed, 07 Feb, 2024

West and ASEAN Zone contenders to kick off #AFCCup Knockout Stage

Kuala Lumpur: The final edition of the iconic AFC Cup™ will resume with the Knockout Stage for the 2023/24 season on Monday, February 12.

Eleven teams remain in contention for the 19th AFC Cup™ crown and eight are set to continue their quest for glory across the West and ASEAN Zonal Semi-finals, while the remaining three will be in action during the Inter-Zonal Playoffs between March 6 to April 24, 2024.