#AFCU23 - Facts & Figures

Sun, 05 May, 2024

#AFCU23 - Facts & Figures

Doha: The curtains came down on the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ with Japan edging Uzbekistan for the title in a closely contested final on Friday.

It was a fitting finale to a tournament that saw thrills and spills in equal measure so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at some key takeaways from the tournament.

Kokubo just one of Japan's heroes, says Oiwa

Sat, 04 May, 2024

Kokubo just one of Japan's heroes, says Oiwa

Doha: Go Oiwa said he had faith Leo Kokubo would save Umarali Rakhmonaliev’s injury time penalty before the Japan goalkeeper made the vital intervention that ensured his team reclaimed the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ title with a 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan in the Doha 2024 final on Friday.

Kokubo threw himself to his right to keep out Rakhmonaliev’s strike after Hiroki Sekine had been judged to have handled the ball in the penalty area deep into added time with the Japanese leading through Fuki Yamada’s fine finish.

Kapadze vows Uzbekistan will bounce back

Sat, 04 May, 2024

Kapadze vows Uzbekistan will bounce back

Doha: Despite creating more chances and seeing more of the ball, Uzbekistan suffered heartbreak on Friday in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ final as they went down 1-0 to a clinical Japan side.

Fuki Yamada’s sole goal in the first minute of added time, coupled with a Umarali Rakhmonaliev’s missed penalty, ended the 2018 winners’ hopes of adding a second title, which were high given their perfect record of five wins from five games in the tournament without conceding a single goal heading into this match. 
 
It was also a second loss in as many finals for Timur Kapadze, who was also at the helm when they lost to Saudi Arabia at the 2022 edition, and the 42-year-old head coach admitted that the failure hurt.

#U17WAC - Facts And Figures

Sat, 04 May, 2024

#U17WAC - Facts And Figures

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 kicks off in Bali on Monday with Group A action.  

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at some interesting facts and figures ahead of the tournament.

Preview - Final: Al Ahed FC (LBN) v Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Mon, 06 May, 2024

Preview - Final: Al Ahed FC (LBN) v Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Muscat: Al Ahed FC and Central Coast Mariners will both be aiming to create history when they face off in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 final on Sunday.

Lebanon's Al Ahed are seeking to lift the trophy for a second time after emerging champions in 2019 while Central Coast will be bidding to become the first Australian side to win the title in the final season of the AFC Cup.

Match Officials confirmed for AFC Cup™ 2023/2024 Final

Fri, 03 May, 2024

Match Officials confirmed for AFC Cup™ 2023/2024 Final

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed that Omar Mohamed Ahmed Hassan Alali will take charge of the highly anticipated AFC Cup™ 2023/2024 Final between Al Ahed FC and Central Coast Mariners FC at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat, Oman on May 5, 2024. 

With the first edition of the AFC Cup™ being launched in 2004, Sunday’s final will see the curtains come down on the prestigious tournament, marking the end of an illustrious 19-year run filled with some of the most iconic moments in Asian club football, as the 2024/25 season enters a new era with the introduction of the revamped three-tier club structure.