Maatouk to helm Syria

Fri, 11 Feb, 2022

Maatouk to helm Syria

Damascus: The Syrian Football Association has announced the appointment of Ghassan Maatouk as head coach of the men's national team. 

Maatouk will be tasked with leading Syria in their remaining AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar Group A matches against Lebanon and Iraq in March. Maatouk, 44, replaces Romanian Valeriu Tita.

Shahad takes charge of Iraq

Fri, 11 Feb, 2022

Shahad takes charge of Iraq

Baghdad:  Abdul Ghani Shahad has been named as the new head coach of the Iraq men’s national team.

The 53-year-old replaces Montenegrin Zeljko Petrovic following Iraq’s poor results in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar.

IR Iran stay top in latest FIFA Rankings

Fri, 11 Feb, 2022

IR Iran stay top in latest FIFA Rankings

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran have maintained their position as Asia’s top team, sitting in 21st spot in the latest FIFA World Rankings released on Thursday. 

Team Melli were the first Asian team to confirm their spot in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 after beating Iraq on Matchday Seven of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar with Dragan Skocic’s side having won seven and drawn one of their eight matches en route to qualifying impressively.

From quizzing Beckham to Asian champion: Zhang Linyan’s childhood dream comes true at India 2022

Thu, 10 Feb, 2022

From quizzing Beckham to Asian champion: Zhang Linyan’s childhood dream comes true at India 2022

Suzhou: Zhang Linyan was among the heroes as China PR were crowned AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ champions on Sunday, but few outside of the country are aware of the incredible backstory involving David Beckham and a childhood dream come true.

The 21-year-old came into the continental Finals with just three senior caps to her name, but she ended the tournament having played a key role in the Steel Roses’ drought-breaking triumph.

AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022™ - Moments

Wed, 09 Feb, 2022

AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022™ - Moments

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022™ came to an exciting conclusion on Sunday with China PR emerging champions.

It was a tournament that more than lived up to expectations with China PR winning the title for a record-extending ninth time, Korea Republic making the final for the first time and Philippines and Vietnam qualifying for their inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup just some of numerous highlights of a remarkable competition.

Join the-AFC.com as we relive the moments that made India 2022 the success that it was.

AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™: Milestones & Stats

Tue, 08 Feb, 2022

AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™: Milestones & Stats

Mumbai: The AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 India™ threw up numerous moments that will live long in the memory, with China PR crowned champions for the first time in 16 years and two ASEAN sides advancing to their maiden appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

On an individual level, Sam Kerr and Shui Qingxia were among those to create their own pieces of history in a tournament that saw an expanded 12 teams compete for the right to be crowned continental champions. 

After the dust has settled on the Asian Football Confederation’s first competition of 2022, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on some of the facts and figures that caught the eye.

Luck was not on our side, says Al Hilal’s Jardim

Thu, 10 Feb, 2022

Luck was not on our side, says Al Hilal’s Jardim

Abu Dhabi: Head coach Leornardo Jardim said Al Hilal SFC were unlucky in their 1-0 defeat to European champions Chelsea in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021 at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Wednesday.

The 2021 AFC Champions League winners fell behind just after the half hour mark to a Romelu Lukaku strike as Chelsea advanced to the final against South American champions Palmeiras. 

Defeat for Al Hilal means the Riyadh giants will contest the third-place playoff against Egypt's Al Ahly, who fell 2-0 against Palmeiras, on Saturday.