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08

Saintfiet: Philippines must strive to be at Saudi Arabia 2027

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Kuala Lumpur: Belgian Tom Saintfiet was appointed the Philippines’ coach in late February with the task of resetting the nation’s ambitions after missing out on the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™. He tells the-AFC.com of his hopes to return the…

06

Kashima’s Sano pens 4-year deal with Mainz

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Mainz: Kashima Antlers defensive midfielder Kaishu Sano has signed for FSV Mainz 05 on a four-year deal until 2028, the German Bundesliga club have announced.

Thursday, Jul 4

Group C: 5 Takeaways

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Kuala Lumpur: Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 will see five of the six teams aiming to reach the FIFA World Cup Finals for - at the very least - a second time.

04

Necovski stars as Australia edge Thailand to lift title

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Solo: Captain Jayden Necovski hit the winning spot-kick as Australia clinched their third ASEAN U16 Championship after defeating Thailand 8-7 on penalties on Wednesday.

Brazilian Marlon bolsters Al Ain ranks

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Dubai: Two-time AFC Champions League™ winners Al Ain FC have added Brazilian defender Marlon Santos to their squad ahead of the upcoming season.

03

Oiwa: Medal remains Japan's target

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Tokyo: Go Oiwa said Japan are still aiming to win their first men's Olympics football medal since 1968 despite not including any overage players in his 18-strong squad on Wednesday.

Wednesday, Jul 3

06

Group B: 5 Takeaways

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Kuala Lumpur: Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 promises fascinating duels as the six teams look to book a spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026, to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Tuesday, Jul 2

11

Rui Bento steps down as Kuwait head coach

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Kuwait City: Kuwait Football Association announced the departure of head coach Rui Bento on Tuesday.

06

Group A: 5 Takeaways

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Kuala Lumpur: Thursday's FIFA World Cup 26 Preliminary Draw – AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road To 26 produced some fascinating outcomes.

04

Japan's Kamada joins Crystal Palace

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London: Japan midfielder Daichi Kamada has signed for Crystal Palace from Lazio, the English Premier League club announced on Monday.

AFC Grassroots Charter welcomes CFA as eighth Gold member

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Beijing: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has recognised the Chinese Football Association (CFA) as the newest Gold level member under the acclaimed AFC Grassroots Charter.

Monday, Jul 1

09

ASEAN Wrap: Nam Dinh crowned Vietnamese champions; JDT win big in FA Cup

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Kuala Lumpur: Nam Dinh emerged as the Vietnamese champions with one game to spare after they defeated bottom side Khanh Hoa 5-1 on Tuesday, courtesy of a Rafaelson hat-trick, and celebrated their V.League 1 triumph with a 3-1 win against…

06

Latest edition of AFC Knowledge Sharing Programme gets underway

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Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s landmark Knowledge Sharing Programme kicked off its sixth edition on Monday.

05

Central & West Asia Wrap: Al Wehdat clinch Jordan Cup; AGMK stunned

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Tashkent: Al Wehdat denied Al Hussein a double after edging the league champions in the Jordan FA Cup final on Saturday.

Road to 26: Six matches to look out for

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Kuala Lumpur: The draw for the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road To 26 held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday has produced a string of encounters over the upcoming months that Asian football fans can look forward to with great excitement.

04

East Asia Wrap: Sangmu lead as Ulsan beaten in derby; Wu treble in Port win

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Hong Kong: The lead changed hands in Korea Republic for the third time in six matchdays with Gimcheon Sangmu emerging as the frontrunners after they beat Daegu FC 2-0 on Saturday and holders Ulsan Hyundai went down 2-1 to Pohang Steelers…

03

Etheridge moves to Buriram United

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Bangkok: Philippines goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has signed for reigning Thailand champions Buriram United.

Sunday, Jun 30

09

Palestine’s Daboub gears up for ‘difficult’ campaign

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Kuala Lumpur: Palestine head coach Makram acknowledged that his side were dealt a tough hand on Thursday, following the draw for the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26.

Uzbekistan on mission to realise FIFA World Cup dream

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Kuala Lumpur: Uzbekistan are clear on their objectives after being placed in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 with team manager Sherzod Igamberdiev eyeing a successful campaign.

06

Ivankovic urges China PR to believe

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Kuala Lumpur: Branko Ivankovic wants his China PR squad to go into the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 believing they can compete with the other nations in Group C as the country attempts to secure a berth in Canada, Mexico and the…

Qatar primed for historic mission

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Kuala Lumpur: Qatar will leave no stone unturned in their bid to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026, said technical director Tim Cahill.

Saturday, Jun 29

13

AFC Elite Referees Seminar 2024 returns after six year hiatus

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Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s quest towards maintaining excellence in developing the Continent’s match officials reached yet another milestone with the conclusion of the AFC Elite Referees Seminar 2024 on Friday.

09

Ghalenoei: IR Iran can draw confidence from past results

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Kuala Lumpur: Having emerged from the second round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ with an unbeaten record, the Islamic of Republic of Iran will be aiming to continue their impressive form when the next stage kicks off in September.

Bento wants UAE to seize opportunity

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Kuala Lumpur: Head coach Paulo Bento wants his United Arab Emirates side to make full use of the increased number of FIFA World Cup qualification slots when they compete in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26.

06

Jordan to go all out in FIFA World Cup quest

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Kuala Lumpur: After their impressive run to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ final, Jordan are ready to write another chapter in their footballing history.

Lisitsyn: Kyrgyz Republic want to create more history

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Kuala Lumpur: Kyrgyz Republic head coach Maksim Lisitsyn has vowed to continue making history for Kyrgyz football as the White Falcons gear up for their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 campaign.

05

Japan to focus on 'best' preparations, says Yamamoto

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Kuala Lumpur: Japan technical director Masakuni Yamamoto insisted preparation will be key if the Samurai Blue are to secure an eighth consecutive FIFA World Cup qualification when the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 kicks off in…

Friday, Jun 28

11

Oman ready to roar

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Kuala Lumpur: Oman are optimistic about their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 chances after being drawn in Group B with Korea Republic, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, and Kuwait.

10

Lee confident of Korea Republic’s chances

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Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic are relishing the prospect of a ‘western’ adventure after they were drawn in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road To 26 on Thursday.

07

Indonesia buoyant despite tough task

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Kuala Lumpur: Indonesia are under no illusion about the task that awaits them after being drawn in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 with Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and China PR on Thursday.