Toshev departs as Tajikistan head coach

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Toshev departs as Tajikistan head coach

Dushanbe: Tajikistan’s bid to reach a maiden AFC Asian Cup will continue without Usmon Toshev, after his departure from the head coaching role was confirmed on Friday night.

The former Uzbekistan international exists following the expiry of his contract, ending a tenure which began in November 2018.

Azmoun, Son, Mabkhout and more: Vote for your Asian Qualifiers Player of the Month

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Azmoun, Son, Mabkhout and more: Vote for your Asian Qualifiers Player of the Month

Kuala Lumpur: For some, it was the month the Road to Qatar 2022 became decidedly precarious, and the continent’s star players pulled out all of the stops to keep their teams on track.

Some of Asia’s biggest names produced the heroics required to keep their respective nations’ FIFA World Cup dreams alive, and they were joined by new faces eager to leave a mark of their own.

An elite 12 teams remain in contention for a place at next year’s global showpiece, but which player played the biggest role in shaping their side’s destiny? Who was the outstanding player in Asia’s momentous month?

Asia World Cup Qualifying: What’s next?

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asia World Cup Qualifying: What’s next?

Kuala Lumpur: 12 teams in Asia are still in contention to qualify for the World Cup Round 3 draw to take place on 1 July in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The path to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ has reached a pivotal stage in Asia. Twelve teams have qualified for the third round after a nearly two-year long journey in Round 2.

Group winners Syria (A), Australia (B), IR Iran (C), Saudi Arabia (D), Japan (F), United Arab Emirates (G) and Korea Republic (H) will be joined by the five best runners-up: China PR (A), Oman (E), Iraq (C), Vietnam (G) and Lebanon (H).

Qatar finished as winners of Group E, but as hosts have already qualified for the World Cup and will not participate in the next round of qualifying.

Asian Qualifiers In Numbers

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asian Qualifiers In Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: Round 2 of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 concluded on Tuesday, almost 21 months after the first ball was kicked.

The COVID-19 pandemic created numerous challenges but Asian football came together to ensure a successful conclusion to the second round of the Asian Qualifiers.

It was a campaign that was filled with thrills, spills and goals galore so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how it all went down.

VAR set for AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

VAR set for AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar

Kuala Lumpur: The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system will be implemented when the Continent’s top teams go head-to-head in the final round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar in September.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) continues to set new benchmarks in Asian refereeing as it will be one of the first Confederations to utilise the VAR in the Asian Qualifiers.

Uzbekistan power to CAFA U20 Women’s Championship title

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Uzbekistan power to CAFA U20 Women’s Championship title

Dushanbe: Uzbekistan have been crowned as Central Asia’s top women's youth national team, edging out Islamic Republic of Iran after a dramatic final day in the CAFA U20 Women’s Championship on Thursday.

Level on points going into the decisive Matchday, both Uzbekistan and IR Iran took three points from their respective matches, but it was Ilkham Khanjariev’s side who emerged victorious on goal difference.

'Better than ever' Marañón ready for historic 2021 AFC Champions League challenge

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

'Better than ever' Marañón ready for historic 2021 AFC Champions League challenge

Tashkent: United City FC are set to make Philippines football history when the nation debuts in Asia's premium club competition, the AFC Champions League. The team's main source of goals, Bienvenido Marañón, will be aiming to make it an occasion to remember.

After falling at the final hurdle in the playoffs in back-to-back years, United City FC - then known as Ceres Negros - are finally set to make their AFC Champions League group stage debut, a landmark achievement for Filipino football.

The-AFC.com caught up exclusively with United City FC forward Marañón, the AFC Cup's all-time top scorer, ahead of the 2021 AFC Champions League kick off to discuss the Spain-born striker's preparations, their Group I opponents and his goals for the tournament.