Player to Watch: Wu Lei (China PR)

Wed, 06 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Wu Lei (China PR)

Kuala Lumpur: Wu Lei has been the standout name on the China PR team sheet for a number of years, and with that comes the weight of expectation from a nation that has yet to win the most prestigious prize in Asian football. 

The forward has twice fired Shanghai Port to the Chinese Super League title, became the first player from his country to score in Spain’s top flight, and has netted more than 250 goals since making his senior club debut as a 14-year-old back in 2006.
 
Now 32 and set to appear in his third AFC Asian Cup™, Wu will look to inspire China to a strong showing at Qatar 2023. 

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Player to watch: Komail Al Aswad (Bahrain)

Tue, 05 Dec, 2023

Player to watch: Komail Al Aswad (Bahrain)

Riyadh: Few Bahraini players have experienced as much success as midfielder Komail Al Aswad, the former gymnast who has been at the heart of all good memories for both club and country for the best part of a decade.

The Riffa born man grew up focusing on gymnastics and was so good at it from an early age that he represented Bahrain in regional competitions before turning 12. He then switched to football where he would soon find his way to his hometown club Riffa SC.
 
Over the course of a decade, Al Aswad won four Bahraini Premier League titles with Riffa SC and was one of their standout performers as they reached the Zonal Final in the AFC Cup™ 2022.

Player to Watch: Maty Ryan (Australia)

Mon, 04 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Maty Ryan (Australia)

Kuala Lumpur: Since making his international debut for Australia against DPR Korea in December 2012, Socceroos captain and goalkeeper Maty Ryan has been no stranger to success.

The 31-year-old former Central Coast Mariners man was between the posts when Ange Postecoglou led the country to their first AFC Asian Cup™ title on home soil in 2015 and he has been a mainstay of the squad that has qualified for each of the last three FIFA World Cup finals.
 
But for all that time at the summit of Asian football, Ryan has not had his thirst for glory quenched and when the Australians roll up in Qatar to launch their latest challenge to claim the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar in January, Ryan will be man leading the Socceroos’ charge.

Europe Wrap: Endo scores first EPL goal; Cho bags brace in Denmark

Tue, 05 Dec, 2023

Europe Wrap: Endo scores first EPL goal; Cho bags brace in Denmark

Kuala Lumpur: Japan captain Wataru Endo bagged his first Premier League goal that proved vital in Liverpool’s 4-3 win against Fulham on Sunday while Son Heung-min was also on the scoresheet in England as Tottenham Hotspur held champions Manchester City in a thrilling 3-3 draw. 

Son's Korea Republic teammate Cho Gue-sung struck twice in FC Midtjylland's 5-1 win against Viborg in Denmark on Monday while Islamic Republic of Iran striker Mehdi Taremi scored his third league goal of the season in FC Porto’s 3-0 win against Famalicao in Portugal. 
 
Socceroos left-back Jordan Bos netted his first goal in Belgium, Takumi Minamino scored in an AS Monaco win in France and his Samurai Blue teammate Ritsu Doan was on the mark for SC Freiburg in the UEFA Europa League, so join the-AFC.com as we find out how the Asian stars performed in Europe over the past week. 

Al Ittihad's Gallardo pining for Benzema, Kante's return

Tue, 05 Dec, 2023

Al Ittihad's Gallardo pining for Benzema, Kante's return

Mekkah: Marcelo Gallardo is hoping for the quick return of his best players after Al Ittihad concluded their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 group stage campaign with a 2-1 win over Sepahan FC on Monday. 

Al Ittihad’s victory saw the Saudi Arabian club top Group C with 15 points, while Islamic Republic of Iran's Sepahan finished five adrift in second place with their Round of 16 hopes hanging in the balance. 

Al Hilal's winning mentality pleases Jesus

Tue, 05 Dec, 2023

Al Hilal's winning mentality pleases Jesus

Riyadh: Jorge Jesus applauded his players' winning mentality after Al Hilal SFC concluded their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 group stage campaign with a 2-1 defeat of Nassaji Mazandaran on Monday.

The result saw two-time AFC Champions League winners Al Hilal topping Group D with 16 points, with Uzbekistan's Navbahor also advancing to the Round of 16.
 
Islamic Republic of Iran's Nassaji ended their debut campaign in third place with six points.