Player to Watch: Salem Al Dawsari (Saudi Arabia)

Thu, 21 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Salem Al Dawsari (Saudi Arabia)

Kuala Lumpur: Saudi Arabia winger Salem Al Dawsari’s stunning strike against eventual champions Argentina in their group stage opener at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has remained one of the most enduring images from the tournament a year ago. 

After Saleh Al Shehri cancelled out Lionel Messi’s opener, Al Dawsari plucked the ball out from the sky, negated two Argentine markers and unleashed a strike which curled past Emiliano Martinez and rested in the top corner to produce one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. 
 
That monumental goal proved why Al Dawsari has been hailed as one of best footballers in the continent in recent times, took home the AFC Player of the Year gong this year, and is tipped to become one of the leading stars of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

The Official Match Ball of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Final Revealed

Wed, 20 Dec, 2023

The Official Match Ball of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Final Revealed

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Kelme have unveiled the Official Match Ball of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Final, as passionate fans across the globe gear up for the biggest continental showdown kicking off in Qatar on 12 January 2024.

The Official Final Match Ball, named VORTEXAC23+, builds on the design of the Official Match Ball of the tournament, VORTEXAC23, and embodies the glory of the highly anticipated decider of the competition on 10 February 2024. 

Player to Watch: Akram Afif (Qatar)

Wed, 20 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Akram Afif (Qatar)

Kuala Lumpur: Qatar’s prospects in international football for nearly a decade have been intricately linked with how Akram Afif fares for the Maroons – such has been the influence of the 27-year-old winger who will look to replicate the magic of 2019 at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

In the 18th edition of the continental showpiece, Qatar will be defending their maiden title and also have the added weight of expectation as the hosts. There's also a new man in charge, Marquez Lopez, who replaced Carlos Queiroz this month and is their third head coach in under a year. 
 
But several members of the 2019 squad still remain as the mainstays of the team, including captain Hassan Al Haydos, Boualem Khoukhi, Almoez Ali, Bassam Al Rawi and, of course, Afif who registered a tournament record 10 assists during Qatar’s continental conquest four years ago. 

Semi-Automated Offside Technology to debut at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™

Mon, 18 Dec, 2023

Semi-Automated Offside Technology to debut at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™

Kuala Lumpur: Match officials at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ will be able to enhance their decision-making process with the Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) system, which will be implemented at all 51 matches of the tournament.

This marks the first time that SAOT will be in place at an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competition and makes the AFC the first Confederation in world football to apply the system at the Continental Men’s national team level, which further underscores the AFC’s commitment towards improving accuracy and integrity of decision-making by its match officials.

Join the Excitement: Celebrate AFC Asian Cup™'s Magical Moments!

Mon, 18 Dec, 2023

Join the Excitement: Celebrate AFC Asian Cup™'s Magical Moments!

Kuala Lumpur: As the countdown to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ ticks away with just under 26 days left, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) invites football enthusiasts to partake in the exhilarating Magic Moments Bracket Challenge Contest presented by Visit Saudi. 

Unfolding across four gripping rounds starting on 18 December 2023, this contest invites fans to relive the glory of Asian Cup history by voting for their most cherished moments. In each round, fans engage in head-to-head matchups, casting votes for their favorite moments, with the winning magic moment progressing to the next stage. 

Test Your Knowledge - Round 10

Sun, 17 Dec, 2023

Test Your Knowledge - Round 10

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Cup™ quiz turns its focus on to the players - past and present - with more challenging questions about the continent's premier national team tournament.

Try it out to see how well versed you - the fans - are as the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ rapidly approaches.