AFC Champions League (East) to be staged in Doha

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Champions League (East) to be staged in Doha

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League (East) is to be played in Doha, Qatar after an agreement was reached today between the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Qatar Football Association (QFA).

The AFC Champions League (East), which will be played between November 18 and December 13, 2020, follows the successful completion of the AFC Champions League (West) in Qatar.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/2020_afc_champions_league_west_semi-final_review.html

Japan held by Cameroon in Utrecht friendly

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Japan held by Cameroon in Utrecht friendly

Utrecht: Captain Maya Yoshida had a header cleared off the line as Hajime Moriyasu’s Japan were held to a 0-0 draw by Cameroon in Utrech in the Netherlands in an international friendly on Friday.

Yoshida saw Ambroise Oyongo’s hook his goal-bound effort clear midway through the first half after a fumble by Cameroon goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa in Japan’s first international outing in 10 months due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Late Lee Jeong-hyeop goal salvages Korea Republic draw with U23 counterparts

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Late Lee Jeong-hyeop goal salvages Korea Republic draw with U23 counterparts

Goyang: Korea Republic needed a late goal to salvage a 2-2 draw with their U-23 counterparts in a friendly at the Goyang Stadium on Friday.

Head coach Kim Hak-bum's side looked set for a famous win but were denied in the 89th minute by striker Lee Jeong-hyeop's equaliser.

Azmoun, Taremi fire IR Iran to victory in Tashkent

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Azmoun, Taremi fire IR Iran to victory in Tashkent

Tashkent: Goals from Sardar Azmoun and Mehdi Taremi proved decisive as Islamic Republic of Iran beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in an international friendly at Pakhtakor Stadium on Thursday.

In a long-awaited first outing under new coach Dragan Skočić, Team Melli’s star attacking duo each found the back of the net – Azmoun with a 25-yard rocket just before half-time, Taremi with a second half penalty – before Eldor Shomurodov pulled a goal back for the hosts in the 53rd minute.

Uzbekistan will meet United Arab Emirates in another friendly in Dubai on Monday, while Iran will face Mali in Antalya, Turkey the following day.

GameChangers: Sophie Perry’s sea change, from Brighton to Bangkok

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

GameChangers: Sophie Perry’s sea change, from Brighton to Bangkok

Chonburi: In early 2019 Sophie Perry played her final matches in English football. Luckily, she never retired.

In this week’s edition of our in-depth women’s football series, GameChangers, we meet the Women’s Super League veteran and Irish international, who sought to encourage a love of football in her students in Thailand and, in the process, rediscovered her own.

In more ways than one, it was a whole new ball game.

Romania’s Mitrita joins Al Ahli Saudi FC

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Romania’s Mitrita joins Al Ahli Saudi FC

Jeddah: Seven-time Saudi Pro League champions Al Ahli Saudi FC have announced Romanian international forward Alexandru Mitrita as the latest addition to their squad.

Mitrita joins the Saudi giants on loan for a season and a half from MLS outfit New York City FC, with an option to sign a contract by the end of the loan period.

Vote for your AFC International Player of the Week

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vote for your AFC International Player of the Week

Kuala Lumpur: With bags of goals, penalty saves and last-minute heroics, Asian stars once again left their mark of the footballing world over the past seven days.

We’ve cast our net across Europe, Africa and North America to find the best Asian performers outside the continent over the last week. Now it’s up to you to help us select a winner.

Here are our 10 nominees from September 29 to October 5.