Uzbekistan roar to last four spot

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Uzbekistan roar to last four spot

Bangkok: Uzbekistan sealed their place in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 semi-finals after coming from behind to edge Vietnam 2-1 in their last-eight tie on Wednesday.

While Uzbekistan will continue their bid to win the continental title for the first time in the semi-finals against Islamic Republic of Iran, Vietnam's hopes of qualifying for the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024 now depend on navigating through a playoff.

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Thailand fight back to beat Iraq

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Thailand fight back to beat Iraq

Bangkok: Therdsak Charoenphong’s dramatic late winner saw hosts Thailand defeat Iraq 3-2 on Wednesday to book a semi-final meeting with Tajikistan at AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024 and qualify for the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup, which will take place in Uzbekistan this September.

Goals from Salim Al Husaynat and Tareq Sulaiman put Iraq in a strong position early on before Alongkorn Janphon responded in the final moments of the first half to reduce the deficit at half-time.
 
Alongkorn’s equaliser after the restart set-up a grandstand finish and Therdsak’s winner with just over a minute remaining saw Thailand take their place in the final four of the continental competition and ensured participation in the FIFA Futsal World Cup for the seventh time in a row.
 
Iraq will need to wait for the result of the last quarter-final tie between Uzbekistan and Vietnam to find out if their time at the tournament has ended or will be extended to Friday’s play-off semi-finals.

IR Iran turn on the power

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

IR Iran turn on the power

Bangkok: Islamic Republic of Iran booked their place in the semi-finals of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 after defeating Kyrgyz Republic 6-1 in their last eight tie at the Bangkok Arena on Wednesday.

The win meant the 12-time champions also punched their ticket to the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024, with a meeting against Uzbekisttan or Vietnam in Friday’s semi-finals.

Kyrgyz Republic, meanwhile, will need to wait for the outcome of the day’s last quarter-final between Uzbekistan and Vietnam to learn whether their campaign has concluded, or they will return to action in Friday’s playoffs.

Tajikistan edge Afghanistan to create history

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Tajikistan edge Afghanistan to create history

Bangkok: Fayzali Sardorov’s extra-time winner saw Tajikistan edge out Afghanistan 2-1 in Wednesday’s AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024 quarter-final to secure a place in the semi-finals for the first time and qualification for a maiden FIFA Futsal World Cup.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, will need to wait for the outcome of the day’s last quarter-final tie between Uzbekistan and Vietnam to learn whether their campaign has concluded, or they will return to action in Friday’s play-off semi-finals.

#AFCU23 Vote for your best goal of the group stage

Tue, 23 Apr, 2024

#AFCU23 Vote for your best goal of the group stage

Doha: Spectacular goals lit up the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ group stage with the tournament heading into the business end with not only the coveted trophy at stake but also places in the Paris Olympics 2024.

Ahead of what will surely be exciting quarter-final ties, the-AFC.com invites you - the fans - to pick your favourite goal from an action-packed group stage.

Preview - Q-final: Korea Republic v Indonesia

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

Preview - Q-final: Korea Republic v Indonesia

Doha: Ahead of their last eight tie against Indonesia on Thursday, Korea Republic head coach Hwang Sun-hong declared that his side are fully focused on getting through to the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™.

The 2020 champions won all three of their Group B matches without conceding a single goal to progress to the knockout stage, which maintained their status as the only team in all six editions of the tournament to qualify from the group stage at every iteration.
 
Korea Republic have also reached the final four on four previous occasions, the most of any team, and Hwang asserted that they are ready to start on a clean slate at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.

Preview - Q-final: Qatar v Japan

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Preview - Q-final: Qatar v Japan

Doha: Qatar head coach Ilidio Vale has yet to decide whether forward Ahmed Al Rawi will feature in his side’s AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ quarter-final against Japan at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Thursday as the Al Rayyan striker continues to struggle with his fitness.

Al Rawi scored in the hosts’ win over Indonesia in the tournament opener but played no part in the clashes with Jordan or Australia as Qatar won Group A and Vale remained coy about the 22-year-old's availability for the clash with Go Oiwa’s side.

Marinos defeat Ulsan in semi-final thriller

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Marinos defeat Ulsan in semi-final thriller

Yokohama: Yokohama F. Marinos advanced to the AFC Champions League™ final for the first time after beating Ulsan Hyundai FC 5-4 on penalties in the second leg of the semi-final on Wednesday following a 3-3 draw on aggregate.

A pulsating first half at Yokohama International Stadium saw Asahi Uenaka’s double and a goal from Anderson Lopes put the Japanese side 3-1 up on aggregate.
 
However, a Matheus Sales header and a penalty from Darijan Bojanic brought the aggregate scoreline level at the interval as the hosts were also reduced to 10 men after Takumi Kamijima was dismissed.

With no further goals in the second half or extra time, the tie went to penalties where Eduardo struck the winning spot-kick after Yokohama goalkeeper William Popp had saved from Kim Min-woo as Yokohama booked a date with the United Arab Emirates’ Al Ain FC in next month’s final.

Eisa proud to have helped Al Ain advance

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Eisa proud to have helped Al Ain advance

Riyadh: Goalkeeper Khaled Eisa was thrilled to have played a major role in Al Ain securing passage to the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final on Tuesday.

The captain had to be at his best as Al Ain limited Al Hilal SFC to a 2-1 win in the return leg of their semi-final with the United Arab Emirates side advancing 5-4 on aggregate.

Late goals send Mariners into final

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Late goals send Mariners into final

Gosford: Australia’s Central Coast Mariners are through to the final of the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 after defeating FK Abdysh-Ata Kant of Kyrgyz Republic 3-0 in the second leg of the Inter-Zone final on Wednesday.

After a goalless first half at Central Coast Stadium, Miguel Di Pizio found the breakthrough for the hosts in the 78th minute before a goal from Mikael Doka and a second from Di Pizio sealed their 4-1 aggregate win and booked the title clash with Lebanon’s Al Ahed FC on May 5.

Melki: Al Ahed worked really hard for the victory

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Melki: Al Ahed worked really hard for the victory

Muscat: George Melki hailed his teammates after Al Ahed booked their place in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 final at Al Nahda's expense on Tuesday.

Leading 1-0 after the first leg, Lebanon's Al Ahed found themselves pegged back by Omer Al Malki's equaliser.
 
Lee Erwin, however, scored twice after coming off the bench with Walter Bwalya's late goal proving to be a mere consolation as 2019 AFC Cup winners Al Ahed advanced 3-2 on aggregate.