Far from perfect, but job done: Vietnam’s Park looks ahead to Uzbekistan 2022

Wed, 03 Nov, 2021

Far from perfect, but job done: Vietnam’s Park looks ahead to Uzbekistan 2022

Bishkek: Vietnam head coach Park Hang-seo was pleased to have sealed a place at AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022 despite an imperfect performance against Myanmar at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium on Wednesday.

The 2018 finalists ultimately got the win they needed thanks to Ho Thanh Minh’s 59th-minute header, but there were few moments of relief in a regional battle that went right to the wire. 

Following last Thursday’s equally hard-fought 1-0 win over Chinese Taipei, it was the second of two testing encounters in Vietnam’s path to the Finals, but while Park knows his side is capable of more, he revealed his relief that the objective of qualifying had been achieved.

Cast complete for Uzbekistan 2022

Wed, 03 Nov, 2021

Cast complete for Uzbekistan 2022

Kuala Lumpur: The cast for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022 was finalised on Tuesday with the conclusion of Groups D and I.

Vietnam emerged Group I winners after a 1-0 win over Myanmar while Saudi Arabia advanced as the second of the best four runners-up following their 3-0 victory over Bangladesh in Group D. 

Thailand (Group J) advanced as the best of the runners-up with Turkmenistan (Group F) third. Tajikistan took the fourth spot by the narrowest of margins, edging Bahrain on yellow cards. 

Teams that had already booked their spot in the 16-team Finals as group winners were  Qatar (Group A), Islamic Republic of Iran (Group B), Iraq (Group C), Kuwait (Group D), United Arab Emirates (Group E), Jordan (Group F), Australia (Group G), defending champions Korea Republic (Group H), Malaysia (Group J) and Japan (Group K) along with hosts Uzbekistan.

Qualifiers - Group I: Vietnam edge Myanmar to make Finals

Wed, 03 Nov, 2021

Qualifiers - Group I: Vietnam edge Myanmar to make Finals

Bishkek: Vietnam qualified for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022 as Group I winners, eliminating Myanmar with a 1-0 win at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium on Tuesday.

A 59th-minute header from half time substitute Ho Thanh Minh was enough to settle the group in Vietnam’s favour, while Saudi Arabia’s 3-0 victory in a simultaneous match in Group D meant Myanmar narrowly missed out on reaching Uzbekistan 2022 as one of the four best second-placed teams.

The result also had a major impact on Tajikistan’s campaign, with the Central Asian nation claiming the final best runners-up spot as a direct consequence of Myanmar’s defeat.

Qualifiers - Group D: Saudi Arabia cruise past Bangladesh to book spot

Wed, 03 Nov, 2021

Qualifiers - Group D: Saudi Arabia cruise past Bangladesh to book spot

Tashkent: Saudi Arabia confirmed their spot in AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022 Finals as one of the best second placed teams after defeating Bangladesh 3-0 in Group D on Tuesday.

The young Green Falcons raced to a two-goal lead in the first half as they joined Group D winners Kuwait in the Finals. 

“The biggest moment of my career" - Bošković reflects on Nasaf’s 2011 AFC Cup triumph

Wed, 03 Nov, 2021

“The biggest moment of my career" - Bošković reflects on Nasaf’s 2011 AFC Cup triumph

Karshi: Ten years after FC Nasaf became the first and only club from Uzbekistan to lift a major continental trophy, and with the club one match away from regaining the AFC Cup title they won in 2011, a star of that decade-old triumph will be among those cheering them on. 

At virtually every step of Nasaf’s path to the 2021 AFC Cup Final, there have been references to an achievement from a decade prior. 

Full of promising young players still in the early years of what look increasingly likely to be long and fruitful careers, Ruzikil Berdiev’s side have powered their way to Friday’s decider against Bahrain’s Muharraq Club, and it's one they fully expect to win.

Remembering Muharraq's 2008 AFC Cup triumph

Wed, 03 Nov, 2021

Remembering Muharraq's 2008 AFC Cup triumph

Kuala Lumpur: Friday’s 2021 AFC Cup final marks the third time Bahraini powerhouse Muharraq Club feature in the competition’s finale, having last contested it 13 years ago when they defeated Lebanon’s Al Safa to lift a historic title.

Fresh off the disappointment of 2007 AFC Cup group stage exit, Muharraq went into the 2008 edition determined to repeat the heroics that saw them go all the way to the final on their debut in the competition in 2006.

In that exciting, yet ultimately unsuccessful campaign, Muharraq lost to defending champions Al Faisaly 3-0 in the first leg of the final, but attempted a valiant comeback at home in the second leg that was thwarted in the 91st minute by Siraj Al Tall’s goal for the Jordanian side. 

AFC Cup Final: When Central meets West

Tue, 02 Nov, 2021

AFC Cup Final: When Central meets West

Kuala Lumpur: The stage is set for the 2021 AFC Cup Final between Bahrain’s Al Muharraq and FC Nasaf of Uzbekistan on Friday.

The two former winners will square off at Sheikh Ali Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium, with Al Muharraq looking to add to the title they won in 2008 and Nasaf aiming to win the AFC Cup a decade after being crowned 2011 champions. 

New signings set to power Gokulam Kerala’s title charge in Jordan

Wed, 03 Nov, 2021

New signings set to power Gokulam Kerala’s title charge in Jordan

Kerala: India’s Gokulam Kerala FC have received a timely boost ahead of the AFC Women’s Club Championship 2021 in Jordan with the addition of five foreign talents from four continents.

The foreign players Gokulam Kerala FC have signed are Adriana Tirado (Puerto Rico), Win Theingi Tun (Myanmar), Karen Steffany (Colombia), Susan Duah and Elshaddai Acheampong (both Ghana).