Round 1: Hong Kong, China survive Bhutan fightback

Tue, 17 Oct, 2023

Round 1: Hong Kong, China survive Bhutan fightback

Thimphu: Hong Kong, China survived a huge scare to book their ticket to the Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ after a 2-0 defeat to Bhutan on Tuesday saw them advance 4-2 on aggregate.

Having suffered a heavy 4-0 away loss in the first leg of Round 1 last Thursday, Bhutan took the lead just before the half hour of the return meeting at Changlimithang Stadium through captain Chencho Gyeltshen before Lobzang Chogyal made it two early in the second half.
 
But a third goal was not forthcoming as Hong Kong held out to progress to Round 2, where they will join Islamic Republic of Iran, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in a tricky looking Group E.

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Australia at the AFC Asian Cup™

Mon, 16 Oct, 2023

Australia at the AFC Asian Cup™

Kuala Lumpur: Australia will be aiming for a second AFC Asian Cup™ title at Qatar 2023. 

Drawn in Group B, the Socceroos will have Uzbekistan, Syria and India for company.
 
The-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting Australian facts and figures as the countdown to Qatar 2023 continues.

Test Your Knowledge - Round 1

Sat, 14 Oct, 2023

Test Your Knowledge - Round 1

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ is less than three months away with the cast of 24 teams cranking up their preparations.

As we eagerly await the opening match between Qatar and Lebanon on January 12, 2024, we invite you - the fans - to test your AFC Asian Cup knowledge, beginning with the early years of the continental showpiece.

Greatest AFC Asian Cup™ Coaches

Fri, 13 Oct, 2023

Greatest AFC Asian Cup™ Coaches

Kuala Lumpur: They are Asian football’s great managers, motivators and masterminds.

More importantly, they are head coaches who steered their teams to AFC Asian Cup™ glory as head coaches. 
 
As the countdown continues to the 18th edition of the tournament in Qatar, join us as we examine the successes of 10 of Asia’s all-time coaching greats, and help us to celebrate their respective AFC Asian Cup successes by voting your favourite.

Greatest AFC Asian Cup teams – Japan (2000-11)

Thu, 12 Oct, 2023

Greatest AFC Asian Cup teams – Japan (2000-11)

Kuala Lumpur: In the modern era, no Asian men's team has enjoyed the success on the international and Continental stage as that of the Samurai Blue in the period from 2000 to 2011.

Beginning with their second AFC Asian Cup™ title at Lebanon 2000 and culminating in Qatar 2011 with their fourth, and including two FIFA World Cup Round of 16 finishes, Japan enjoyed a period of dominance and records that few have accomplished before and since.
 
While their three AFC Asian Cup championships from four tournaments is the physical evidence of their success, Japan also achieved record finishes at the FIFA Confederations Cup (runners-up) and the Asian Games (gold), while their efforts in the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games were also, at the time, new milestones for the national side.

Greatest AFC Asian Cup teams - Saudi Arabia (1980s-90s)

Thu, 12 Oct, 2023

Greatest AFC Asian Cup teams - Saudi Arabia (1980s-90s)

Kuala Lumpur: Over the past few decades, the AFC Asian Cup™ has witnessed some amazing teams with the Saudi Arabia side of the 1980s-90s the focus of our latest article. 

When Japan defeated China PR to be crowned continental champions in 2004, that was the first AFC Asian Cup final not to feature Saudi Arabia for 24 years. This incredible stat is perhaps the best testament to how dominant the Green Falcons had been in the last part of the 20th century.

Greatest AFC Asian Cup teams: Kuwait (1980s)

Tue, 10 Oct, 2023

Greatest AFC Asian Cup teams: Kuwait (1980s)

Kuala Lumpur: Since the first edition, the AFC Asian Cup™ has seen the rise and dominance of some iconic teams with the Kuwait side of the late 1970s and early 1980s in that class.  

Although the West Asian nation will not be competing in the Qatar 2023 edition, there is no denying they once had one of the greatest AFC Asian Cup teams of all time. 

Greatest AFC Asian Cup teams: IR Iran (1970s)

Mon, 09 Oct, 2023

Greatest AFC Asian Cup teams: IR Iran (1970s)

Kuala Lumpur: With the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ rapidly approaching, excitement is building for the 18th edition of the continental showpiece.

As the countdown gathers pace, the-AFC.com takes a look at several teams who were simply unstoppable in previous editions of the tournament, starting with Islamic Republic of Iran.