DPR Korea lead the way in FIFA Women's World Ranking as Australia, Japan slip outside top 10

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

DPR Korea lead the way in FIFA Women's World Ranking as Australia, Japan slip outside top 10

Kuala Lumpur: DPR Korea are Asia’s highest ranked women’s national team after they rose to ninth in the latest FIFA Women’s World Ranking update, released on Friday.

Inactive since the previous update in June, DPR Korea climbed to ninth because of the lower updated points totals of other sides, including Australia and Japan.

Australia dropped two places from ninth to 11th despite reaching the semi-finals at the Tokyo Olympics, while Japan’s quarter-final finish at the Games saw them dip from 11th to 13th.

AFC Champions League 2021 (West) centralised matches and coveted Final to be held in Saudi Arabia 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Champions League 2021 (West) centralised matches and coveted Final to be held in Saudi Arabia 

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League 2021 Quarter-finals and Semi-final (West) as well as the eagerly anticipated Final will be played in Saudi Arabia subject to the AFC Executive Committee’s ratification of the AFC Competitions Committee’s decision (via correspondence on 18 August 2021), regarding the Hosting of Centralised Matches in the Knockout Stage.

As confirmed on July 5, 2021, all matches will be played as single leg ties with the AFC Champions League 2021 Quarter-finals and Semi-final (West) scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia from October 16 to 19 before the decisive Final is held on November 23.

2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage – 5 of the Best: Volleys & Half-Volleys

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage – 5 of the Best: Volleys & Half-Volleys

Kuala Lumpur: The-AFC.com's '5 of the Best' spotlight on 2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage action this week highlights some special strikes from the matches in Jeddah, Goa, Pathum Thani and Bangkok.

After taking in some of the most mesmerising solo goals last week, we turn our attention to volleys and half-volleys to recall some of the fine strikes the 2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage witnessed.

Some of our selection have been caught on the bounce, while others have been struck without the ball touching the ground, but what cannot be argued is that all five are worthy of enjoying again and again.

Son Heung-min, Kyogo Furuhashi and more – Vote for your AFC International Player of the Week

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Son Heung-min, Kyogo Furuhashi and more – Vote for your AFC International Player of the Week

Kuala Lumpur: A new European football season is up and running, and some of Asia’s big names are already at the forefront after a series of outstanding performances.

Stars from Japan, Korea Republic, Islamic Republic of Iran and Australia are all featured in the first edition of the new season of our weekly look at Asia’s best performers outside the continent, with our 10 nominees combining for nine goals between them.

Study our list of contenders – based on matches from August 11 to 17 – and don’t forget to cast your vote.

Preview - Group D: ATK Mohun Bagan, Bashundhara Kings eye top spot; Bengaluru FC, Maziya Sports R&C seek to keep AFC Cup hopes alive

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview - Group D: ATK Mohun Bagan, Bashundhara Kings eye top spot; Bengaluru FC, Maziya Sports R&C seek to keep AFC Cup hopes alive

Male: Group D of the 2021 AFC Cup is set for a pair of intriguing ties that could set up a grandstand finish when the Matchday Two action kicks off on Saturday.

Bangladesh's Bashundhara Kings take on JSW Bengaluru FC of India with the 2016 runners-up knowing defeat would see them eliminated, while Maldivian hosts Maziya Sports R&C face a similar prospect when they face India's ATK Mohun Bagan in the day's late game.

Bashundhara Kings' Bruzón wary of Bengaluru ahead of AFC Cup showdown 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Bashundhara Kings' Bruzón wary of Bengaluru ahead of AFC Cup showdown 

Male: Bangladesh’s Bashundhara Kings will be aiming to make it two wins in a row when they take on JSW Bengaluru FC of India in Group D of the 2021 AFC Cup at the National Football Stadium on Saturday.

Bashundhara got off to a positive start after opening their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Maldives’ Maziya Sports R&C while Bengaluru suffered defeat with a similar scoreline against Indian rivals ATK Mohun Bagan on Wednesday.

Victory for Bashundhara will take them a step closer to reaching the knockout stage while Bengaluru must win to stay in contention.

Maziya S&R seeking to revive AFC Cup campaign against ATK Mohun Bagan

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Maziya S&R seeking to revive AFC Cup campaign against ATK Mohun Bagan

Male: Maziya Sports & Recreation head coach Risto Vidakovic expects his team to bounce back when they face ATK Mohun Bagan on Matchday Two of the 2021 AFC Cup Group D on Saturday.

ATK Mohun Bagan are joint-leaders with Bangladesh's Bashundhara Kings after securing opening day wins against JSW Bengaluru FC and Maziya respectively on Wednesday.