Player to Watch: Jaliloddin Masharipov (Uzbekistan)

Thu, 28 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Jaliloddin Masharipov (Uzbekistan)

Kuala Lumpur: As one of the most accomplished players in the Srecko Katanec’s side, Jaliloddin Masharipov will take on a leadership role in a squad that seeks to balance youth and experience to launch the country’s challenge for a first-ever AFC Asian Cup™ title.

The winger brings an attacking thrust down the flank and he has developed into one his nation’s key performers during a club career that has seen him play in Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Greece.

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Son headlines Korea Republic squad

Thu, 28 Dec, 2023

Son headlines Korea Republic squad

Seoul: Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min was named in Korea Republic's AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ squad on Thursday as head coach Jurgen Klinsmann aims to end the country's 64-year continental title drought.

Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan, who scored his 10th Premier League goal of the season against Brentford on Wednesday, was also among Klinsmann's 26-man selection for the tournament, which kicks off on January 12.

Koo: Best chance for Taegeuk Warriors to end wait

Thu, 28 Dec, 2023

Koo: Best chance for Taegeuk Warriors to end wait

Kuala Lumpur: With just over two weeks to go for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, the-AFC.com caught up with former Korea Republic captain Koo Ja-cheol to get his thoughts on the continental showpiece.

The AFC Asian Cup holds a special place in the heart of the midfielder, whose five goals earned him the Golden Boot at the 2011 edition of the tournament. 

Player to Watch: Pham Tuan Hai (Vietnam)

Sat, 23 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Pham Tuan Hai (Vietnam)

Kuala Lumpur: Since reaching the quarter-finals at AFC Asian Cup™ in 2019, Vietnam have seen a number of new stars emerge, and Pham Tuan Hai has developed into one of the most talked-about players in the Southeast Asian nation.

The forward has added new dynamism to an attack that was already brimming with talent as head coach Philippe Troussier – who replaced the long-serving Park Hang-seo earlier in the year – aims to guide the Golden Star Warriors into the knockout rounds for the second successive edition. 
 
Tuan Hai is one that could light up the upcoming AFC Asian Cup, with the in-form Hanoi FC man displaying his considerable potential in the recently concluded AFC Champions League™ 2023-24 group stage.

Player to Watch: Ali Mabkhout (UAE)

Mon, 25 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Ali Mabkhout (UAE)

Kuala Lumpur: The United Arab Emirates go into the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ aiming to build on their back-to-back semi-final finishes. And just as was the case in 2015 and 2019, Ali Mabkhout will carry the hopes of his nation.

Not many players in Asian football have as many records to their name across club and country, domestic and continental football as 33-year-old Mabkhout, and he travels to Qatar hopeful of breaking one of the most important records of them all.
 
Only two players in the history of the AFC Asian Cup have scored more goals than Mabkhout’s nine goals. The Emirati is one goal short of Korea Republic’s Lee Dong-gook and five behind the competition’s all-time top scorer Ali Daei, both numbers he will be eager to catch up with, starting with Group C matches against IR Iran, Palestine and Hong Kong.

Player to Watch: Chanathip Songkrasin (Thailand)

Sat, 23 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Chanathip Songkrasin (Thailand)

Kuala Lumpur: After a fine AFC Asian Cup™ 2019 campaign where he guided his nation to the knockout stages of the competition for the first time in 47 years, Chanathip Songkrasin will be keen to create more history with Thailand as the continental showpiece returns.

Thailand made a shaky start to the tournament four years ago with a 4-1 defeat to India leading to the departure of head coach Milovan Rajevac, but Chanathip scored in a 1-0 win against Bahrain in their second outing before a 1-1 draw with hosts United Arab Emirates sent them through. 
 
Finding themselves in a group featuring Saudi Arabia, Kyrgyz Republic and Oman this time around, the Southeast Asian nation, managed by Masatada Ishii, will need the 30-year-old attacking midfielder to deliver the goods again if they want to make a mark at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™. 

Test Your Knowledge - Round 11

Fri, 22 Dec, 2023

Test Your Knowledge - Round 11

Kuala Lumpur: Round 11 of the AFC Asian Cup™ quiz has another set of interesting questions about the continent's premier national team tournament.

Try it out to see how well versed you - the fans - are ahead of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ which kicks off on January 12.