East & ASEAN Domestic Wrap: Iniesta leads Kobe into Emperor's Cup Final

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

East & ASEAN Domestic Wrap: Iniesta leads Kobe into Emperor's Cup Final

Kuala Lumpur: Vissel Kobe, who number superstars Andres Iniesta, Lukas Podolski and David Villa in the line-up, are within a game of reaching the 2020 AFC Champions League after victory in the Emperor's Cup semi-final.

Elsewhere in East Asia, there was action in the Hong Kong Premier League as the league leaders enjoyed a big win and there was an intriguing battle between second and third.

Meanwhile in ASEAN, the Indonesian league came to a close with an exciting race for second place decided, while there was a full set of fixtures in Australia's A-League to enjoy.

Transfer watch: All of Asia's moves

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Transfer watch: All of Asia's moves

Kuala Lumpur: With the transfer window open, teams are either bolstering their ranks ahead of new seasons kicking off or are adding reinforcements to their squads. 

The-AFC.com highlights the ins and outs across the Continent.

Role Model Toure ready for Thailand 2020

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Role Model Toure ready for Thailand 2020

Adelaide: Al Hassan Toure has experienced a whirlwind 2019 from heroics in the FFA Cup to scoring in his A-League debut and being called up to the Olyroos. And the new year is set to begin as the old one left off with the forward likely to play a key role in Australia's AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 campaign.

Prior to August 7, 2019, the Guinea-born teenager had not even begun his professional career let alone been on the brink of representing Australia at one of the biggest national team tournaments in Asia. But in a dream second half of the year, Toure has gone on to make headlines across the globe.

Just 12 minutes into Adelaide United's FFA Cup campaign, in his senior debut, Toure scored. And the goals kept coming, five in total including the opener in a 4-0 win over Melbourne City in the final, earning him the Mark Viduka Medal for player of the match.

Bento pleased with Korea Republic's identity

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Bento pleased with Korea Republic's identity

Busan: Korea Republic head coach Paulo Bento was beaming with pride after his charges clinched their fifth EAFF E-1 Football Championship on Wednesday, claiming that they did so “in our style”.

The regional trophy marks Bento’s first after taking the job in August 2018, and the 50-year-old coach was quick to acknowledge and praise the players and staff for their superb efforts.

Minamino joins Liverpool

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Minamino joins Liverpool

Liverpool: Liverpool FC have confirmed the signing of Japan international Takumi Minamino from RB Salzburg, the club announced on Thursday.

The Japan international forward will officially become a Reds player on January 1 after he finalised personal terms and passed a medical on Merseyside.

VAR set for historic full debut at Thailand 2020

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

VAR set for historic full debut at Thailand 2020

Kuala Lumpur: Asian football will reach another historic milestone with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system making its full tournament debut at the upcoming AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020, which is scheduled to take place across three cities – Bangkok, Buriram and Songkhla – between January 8 to 26, 2020.

Having made its successful debut from the quarter-final stage of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 in January, the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 will be the first AFC competition to implement the VAR system in all 32 matches.

Qualifying for Tokyo 2020 vital for Australia, says Arnold

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Qualifying for Tokyo 2020 vital for Australia, says Arnold

Sydney: Qualification for the Olympic Games in Tokyo next summer is “crucial” for the further development of Australia’s footballing talent says head coach Graham Arnold as the countdown continues towards the 2020 AFC U23 Championship in Thailand next month.

Arnold, who coaches the U23 side as well as the senior side, has been charged with leading his nation’s attempt to qualify for the Olympic football tournament in Japan as the Australians seek to secure a spot at the Finals for the first time since 2008.