East Asia & ASEAN Wrap: Jeonbuk and Ulsan win again

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

East Asia & ASEAN Wrap: Jeonbuk and Ulsan win again

Kuala Lumpur: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Ulsan Hyundai edged to narrow wins over the weekend as they continue to set the pace in Korea Republic's K League.

In Vietnam, Saigon claimed the bragging rights after a derby day victory over Ho Chi Minh City FC saw them move top of the V.League, while Taichung Futoro won again to stay in pole position in Chinese Taipei.

It was also a good weekend for China PR's star man in Spain and Japan's representation in Germany's top flight, while there was an Indonesian debut in Serbia, so join the-AFC.com as we review the best of the action from East Asia and ASEAN.

Vote for your best ACL2017 Team: Defenders

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vote for your best ACL2017 Team: Defenders

Kuala Lumpur: With the 2020 AFC Champions League currently on hiatus, the-AFC.com continues its series of articles to determine your best sides from the last four editions of the Continental competition.

Last week we presented the candidates for the 2017 edition's best goalkeeper, and now it's time to turn our attention to defenders.

So, here are 14 players in contention for the four places in the backline. Review the nominees and then choose your favourite defenders for this all-star XI in the respective polls.

'Decisive' Wu Lei leads Espanyol to win after COVID-19 recovery

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

'Decisive' Wu Lei leads Espanyol to win after COVID-19 recovery

Madrid: China PR striker Wu Lei, who tested positive for COVID-19 in March, scored on his first game back on Saturday as Espanyol sealed a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Alaves in La Liga.

Espanyol looked doomed to relegation as they restarted six points adrift of safety after three months away but Wu Lei's excellent performance has given them renewed hope of survival.

Flashback: Troussier relives Japan's amazing 2002 campaign

Mon, 31 Oct, 2022

Flashback: Troussier relives Japan's amazing 2002 campaign

Kuala Lumpur: With the countdown for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 gaining pace, the-AFC.com has dug into its archives in search of classic matches and momentous occasions involving Asian teams.

We kick-off the series with a look back at 2002 when the FIFA World Cup was first held in Asia. 

Co-hosting the global showpiece with Korea Republic, Japan were aiming to make heads turn on and off the pitch in. Philippe Troussier was the man in charge as head coach and we reproduce an interview with the Frenchman which was published on 14 June, 2020 to get a grip on how Japan's historical campaign unfolded. 

Magical Moments: Park Ji-sung vs Portugal (2002 FIFA World Cup)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Magical Moments: Park Ji-sung vs Portugal (2002 FIFA World Cup)

Kuala Lumpur: When Korea Republic’s Park Ji-sung arrived at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Finals he was already a well-established and highly regarded member of the Taeguk Warriors squad.

Indeed, with the Koreans sharing the tournament’s hosting duties alongside regional rivals Japan, much was expected of both Park and the rest of Guus Hiddink’s squad ahead of their campaign against the world’s elite. Neither were to disappoint.

Expert’s View: Asia’s Greatest Players in Spanish Football

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Expert’s View: Asia’s Greatest Players in Spanish Football

Kuala Lumpur: Over 120,000 votes have already been cast on Asia's greatest exports to England, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. This week we turned to Spain's La Liga to review the candidates for the Continent's best representative. 

Unlike the Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga and Eredivisie, the success stories of Asian footballers in Spain belongs to a more exclusive cast, often due to the challenging nature of the country's footballing landscape.

To help us study this select group of players, we have enlisted the go-to-guy for all things Spanish football, Sid Lowe.

Asian Classics: England’s Lineker recalls that night against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asian Classics: England’s Lineker recalls that night against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur

London: Ask Gary Lineker, or any of the England players for that matter, what they remember about the night on June 12, 1991 when England played Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur and they will say one word: "Humidity".

Coming straight from the wind-blast of winter in Wellington (where it snowed the day later) into Kuala L was a shock for most players and the England captain Lineker - although more 'acclimatised' than most - was equally shocked.

"I got a few that night,” he remembers modestly of his four-goal haul, but it was the backstory to the game that was to play out for the next 12 months.