Thais warm to AFC Futsal Club championships in record numbers
July 18 – The AFC Futsal Club Championships have broken record attendance numbers in the first three days of competition in the Bangkok Arena, Thailand.
Competitions
Wanda brokers China Cup tournament deal to accelerate national team ambition
By Andrew Warshaw
July 14 – China’s emerging influence in world football has taken yet another decisive step with the news that real estate, entertainment and sports conglomerate Wanda has struck a deal with FIFA to host an annual ‘China Cup’ tournament starting next year featuring its national team plus three other as yet unannounced international sides.
AFC nations tune up for final group stages of Russia 2018 qualification
By Paul Nicholson
June 29 – Asian federations are making preparations to tune up their national teams for the final rounds of World Cup 2018 qualifiers which will see the remaining 12 teams split into two groups of six competing for four automatic slots at the Russia tournament, and one play off opportunity.
2017 AFC Cup draw opens gateway for small clubs to think big
June 17 – The draw for the qualifying tournament for the group stages of the 2017 AFC Cup has been held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, though Cambodia’s Phnom Penh Crown was not in the draw as they await a ruling on their suspension by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).
Gulf nations set up new regional body to manage their competitions
June 3 – Saudi Arabia and Yemen may have their political differences but football is bringing them together under a new eight-nation regional body that aims to streamline the administration of the sport in the region.
Indian league roadmap hits roadblock with Goan and Kolkata clubs
By Samindra Kunti
May 31 – Indian clubs from both Goa and Kolkata are protesting against the reformed league structures proposed earlier this month by the All Indian Football Federation (AIFF) and their marketing partners IMG-Reliance. At the top of the roadmap towards a new league structure was the positioning of the Indian Super League (ISL) as the top league.
India kills off I-League in favour of commercial power of ISL
By Samindra Kunti
May 20 – The All India Football Federation, the AIFF, has unveiled the first details of the widespread changes to the domestic structure of Indian football that will see the Indian Super League (ISL) become the country’s premier football competition.
Chinese teams find Asian Champions League harder going
May 6 – China may be spending like crazy to lure a string of big-name overseas players to its domestic Super League and have put in place an eye-watering blueprint for grassroots development at national level but money doesn’t automatically buy you success.
Kuwait will host for 23rd Gulf Cup; if FIFA ban is lifted
By Mark Baber
April 29 – The national football associations of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq and Yemen have agreed to reinstate Kuwait as hosts of the 23rd Gulf Cup from December 15-29, 2016, if FIFA lift the ban on the country.
Four bidders line up for right to host 2023 Asian Cup
By Mark Baber
April 13 – China, Indonesia, Thailand and South Korea are bidding to host the 2023 Asian Cup, with Indonesia in the running despite being under a FIFA-imposed ban from international competition because of government interference in the running of the national soccer federation.
AFC picks neutral venues for Iran and Saudi CL club clashes
April 4 – Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have been chosen as the neutral venues for upcoming fixtures between clubs from Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Iranian clubs told to play CL games against Saudis at neutral venues
March 16 – Despite warning it may withdraw its teams, Iran has been ordered to play its home regional Champions League matches against Saudi Arabian clubs on neutral ground because of the breakdown in political relations between the rivals.
FIFA keeps pressure on Kuwait cancelling two more World Cup qualifiers
By Andrew Warshaw
March 15 – FIFA has officially cancelled Kuwait’s two Asian World Cup qualifying matches against Laos and South Korea scheduled for later this month, the inevitable result of the Gulf state’s ongoing suspension but another blow to the region’s football stability on and off the field.
Philippines secures stadium and right to co-host Suzuki Cup
By Mark Baber
March 14 – The 2016 AFF Championship, marketed as the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup will, after all, be co-hosted by the Philippines after problems with the stadia were ironed out, the Philippines Football Federation (PFF) announced on Saturday.
