India appoints Marquez as new head coach

Mon, 22 Jul, 2024

India appoints Marquez as new head coach

New Delhi: The All India Football Federation has decided on the replacement for Igor Stimac with Manolo Marquez being entrusted with the responsibility of the men’s national team head coach duties.

Marquez is currently the head coach of FC Goa and will be taking on both roles until the end of the 2024/25 season before focusing fully on the national team.

Women’s Football - Players to Watch

Fri, 19 Jul, 2024

Women’s Football - Players to Watch

Kuala Lumpur: As the 2024 Paris Olympics approaches, anticipation is building for the thrilling displays of talent and skill that will unfold on the grand stage. 

Among the athletes set to compete, several players from Australia and Japan are expected to be in the Women's Football Tournament spotlight. 

The-AFC.com takes a look at the key players to watch from these two nations.

Men’s Football - Players to Watch

Mon, 15 Jul, 2024

Men’s Football - Players to Watch

Kuala Lumpur: The Paris Olympics Men’s Football Tournament is set to be a spectacle with three Asian teams striving for glory.

Japan, Uzbekistan and Iraq are all determined to produce a medal finish and the-AFC.com takes a look at the players who will be pivotal to their chances.

Ikeda optimistic of Japan’s chances

Sat, 20 Jul, 2024

Ikeda optimistic of Japan’s chances

Paris: Futoshi Ikeda believes Japan can claim their first medal in the women’s competition at the Olympic Games since 20212 by sticking to their own style of football despite being handed a daunting challenge in the group phase of this summer’s tournament.

The Nadeshiko have been drawn to face reigning FIFA Women’s World Cup holders Spain as well as current South American champions Brazil and 11-times African title winners Nigeria at the Paris Games, but Ikeda is refusing to be pessimistic.

Aubameyang joins Al Qadsiah

Fri, 19 Jul, 2024

Aubameyang joins Al Qadsiah

Khobar: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has started the next chapter of his career in Asia following his move to Saudi Pro League outfit, Al Qadsiah.

The Gabon international was signed from French Ligue 1 side Marseille after a prolific 2023/24 campaign which saw him score 30 goals.

Australia's Gustavsson bullish despite Kerr's absence

Mon, 22 Jul, 2024

Australia's Gustavsson bullish despite Kerr's absence

Kuala Lumpur: Tony Gustavsson says Australia could compensate for the loss of talismanic captain Sam Kerr at the Olympic Games with greater tactical flexibility as his squad look to overcome the loss of the AFC Women’s Player of the Year to win the country’s first-ever football medal.

The Matildas are seeking a podium spot at the Paris Games after a fourth-place finish in Tokyo in 2021 but will go into the campaign without Kerr after the Chelsea striker injured her anterior cruciate ligament in January.

Gustavsson, however, is encouraged by his side’s performance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand last year, when his team also reached the semi-finals despite missing Kerr for much of the tournament due to a calf injury.

South Asia Wrap: Win helps Thimphu narrow gap

Mon, 22 Jul, 2024

South Asia Wrap: Win helps Thimphu narrow gap

Thimphu: Thimphu City made short work of Tensung 2-1 to close the gap  with league leaders Paro FC in the Bhutan Premier League.

The victory took Thimphu to 23 points from 10 matches, two short of Paro.

In other matches, Transport United went on a goal spree, winning 7-3 against Samtse. 

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Jeonbuk stun Ulsan; Tampines go top by beating Sailors

Mon, 22 Jul, 2024

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Jeonbuk stun Ulsan; Tampines go top by beating Sailors

Kuala Lumpur: Only three points separate the top five in Korea Republic as defending champions Ulsan Hyundai suffered a 2-0 defeat to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Saturday and Pohang Steelers emerged as the new league leaders following a 2-1 win over Daejeon Hana Citizen. 

In Singapore, Tampines Rovers produced a 5-0 win against Lion City Sailors in a top-of-the-table clash on Thursday and leapfrogged their opponents to the summit while leaders Machida Zelvia were beaten 2-1 by 11th-placed Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan.

Reigning champions Johor Darul Ta’zim and Terengganu both gained slender advantages in the first leg of their Malaysia FA Cup semi-final contests while matches also took place in China PR, Myanmar and Macau, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from ASEAN and East Asia.