Japan surge into knockout stage, Oman bid farewell

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Japan surge into knockout stage, Oman bid farewell

Dubai: Japan fought back twice from two goals down to defeat Senegal 6-4 in an exciting Group C tie to book their spot in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024 Dubai quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Oman, however, bid farewell to the tournament after suffering a late 3-2 defeat to Portugal in their concluding Group D tie. 

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IR Iran, UAE set up quarter-final clash

Tue, 20 Feb, 2024

IR Iran, UAE set up quarter-final clash

Dubai: Islamic Republic of Iran will face United Arab Emirates in the quarter-finals after both concluded their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024 Dubai group campaigns with wins on Monday.

Iran came from behind to beat Tahiti 5-3 to finish top of Group B while UAE defeated Italy 3-1 on penalties after a goalless draw in their Group A tie. 
 
The hosts, however, finished second behind the European side on goal difference and will play Iran on Thursday. 

Jeonbuk hold off Pohang to book last eight spot

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Jeonbuk hold off Pohang to book last eight spot

Pohang: Jeong Tae-wook’s late header confirmed Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors’ progress to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Tuesday as Dan Petrescu’s side drew 1-1 with Pohang Steelers to complete a 3-1 aggregate win over their fellow K League 1 outfit.

Jeong’s 76th minute goal cancelled out Park Chan-yong’s opener from the 12th minute for Pohang as two-time champions Jeonbuk banished any concerns they would throw away their hard-earned 2-0 first leg advantage.

Petrescu and his team will next face either compatriots Ulsan Hyundai or Japan’s Ventforet Kofu in the last eight, with Hong Myung-bo’s K League 1 champions holding a 3-0 first leg advantage going into Wednesday’s second leg.

Jadson strikes late winner as Shandong stun Frontale in thriller

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Jadson strikes late winner as Shandong stun Frontale in thriller

Kawasaki: Brazilian centre-back Jadson scored a last-gasp winner as Shandong Taishan advanced to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 with a 4-2 win against Kawasaki Frontale in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

After losing 3-2 at home last week, Shandong made a dream start to the away leg as goals from Cryzan and Gao Zhunyi had them lead the tie 4-3 on aggregate within 25 minutes at Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium. But strikes from Sota Miura and Erison then gave Kawasaki the upper hand before Cryzan’s second in the 73rd minute put the last 16 tie firmly in the balance.  

However, it was Shandong who had the final say as Jadson came up with a big moment, flicking in a corner in the seventh minute of second-half injury time to knock Kawasaki out of the continental competition following a 6-5 aggregate win.

Al Ahed edge Al Kahrabaa on penalties to advance

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Al Ahed edge Al Kahrabaa on penalties to advance

Basra: Al Ahed beat Al Kahrabaa 4-2 on penalties after the two sides played out a 1-1 aggregate draw in their AFC Cup™ 2023/24 West Zonal semi-final, following Al Ahed’s 1-0 win in the second leg at the Basra International Stadium on Tuesday.

The win takes 2019 AFC Cup winners Al Ahed of Lebanon into a West Zonal final against Al Nahda of Oman in April.

ASEAN Zonal Final: Players to Watch

Tue, 20 Feb, 2024

ASEAN Zonal Final: Players to Watch

Sydney: The final of the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 ASEAN Zone is fast approaching, with Macarthur FC set to take on Australian rivals Central Coast Mariners at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Thursday. 

The two sides became the first from Australia to appear in the AFC Cup when they began the group stage back in September and, having taken the tournament by storm, they now face off to see who will emerge as the ASEAN champions and advance to the next phase of the continental competition. 
 
Ahead of the first-ever all-A-League clash in an AFC club competition, the-AFC.com picks out three players from each side who have the potential to light up the game. 

Europe Wrap: Asano nets against Bayern; Azmoun scores in Roma victory

Tue, 20 Feb, 2024

Europe Wrap: Asano nets against Bayern; Azmoun scores in Roma victory

Kuala Lumpur: Takuma Asano scored as VfL Bochum stunned champions Bayern Munich 3-2 in Germany while his Samurai Blue teammate Takefusa Kubo was on the scoresheet for Real Sociedad in a 2-1 win against his former side Real Mallorca in Spain. 

Islamic Republic of Iran’s Sardar Azmoun made his first start for AS Roma in Italy’s Serie A and bagged a goal in the 3-0 win against Frosinone while his compatriot Ali Alipour scored his first of the season to seal Gil Vicente’s 3-1 win over Estoril Praia in Portugal.
 
Korea Republic’s Hong Hyun-seok netted for Gent in Belgium, Goh Young-jun scored on his Partizan debut in Serbia and Australian duo Martin Boyle and Tete Yengi scored again in Scotland, so join the-AFC.com as we find out how the Asian stars performed in Europe over the past week. 

Triumphant starts for Jordan, Lebanon

Tue, 20 Feb, 2024

Triumphant starts for Jordan, Lebanon

Jeddah: Jordan and Lebanon kicked off their West Asia Women's Championship 2024 Group A campaigns with wins on Monday.

Jordan defeated hosts Saudi Arabia 3-1 while Lebanon edged Guam 4-3.