AFC completes 2021 Champions League draw; sticks with centralised venues for group stage
January 27 – The AFC today completed the draw for its expanded 2021 Champions League at headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
Tag: Asia
AFC shifts 2021 age group championships but stays focussed on Champions League draw
By Paul Nicholson
January 25 – The AFC has cancelled its cancelled the U-16 Championship Bahrain 2020 and U-19 Championship Uzbekistan 2020 that it had initially hoped to be able to rearrange for 2021.
Added groups, extra teams, new countries: AFC expands its Champions League
January 22 – The AFC will draw the group stages for its expanded Champions League and AFC Cup competitions next week (January 27) in Kuala Lumpur at AFC headquarters.
Gianni jets into Saudi on latest leg of his Gulf tour
January 6 – Seemingly not a day goes by without Gianni Infantino courting a Gulf country. On Wednesday, the FIFA president visited Saudi Arabia, the day after the 41st GCC summit ended the three-year blockade of Qatar.
AFC launches into 2021 with new look branding and logos for its major competitions
By Paul Nicholson and Samindra Kunti
January 4 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has launched into the new year with a major design rebrand of its major national team and club competitions, following up on the announcement at the end of last year of the alignment of its key national team competitions under the Asian Cup naming convention.
Patel stays on in India, but only until Supreme Court rules on reform
December 23 – The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has extended the terms of its executive committee until the supreme court delivers a ruling on both the framing of a new constitution and election process for the governing body. Current president Praful Patel has said that he will not contest future elections.
Ulsan Hyundai come from behind to beat Persepolis to Asian Champions League title
December 21 – South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai defeated Iran’s Persepolis 2-1, coming from behind, to win the Asian Champions League for a second time, wrapping up an edition that was derailed by the coronavirus pandemic before Qatar stepped in to stage matches from the east and west zone as well as the competition’s knockout phase.
Fan ban lifted for showpiece AFC Champions League final in Qatar
December 18 – Potentially as many as 12,000 fans could be allowed into the Al Janoub stadium in Qatar on Saturday to watch the AFC Champions League final between Iranian giants Persepolis and South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai.
India promises opening of new football frontiers with launch of 2027 Asian Cup bid
By Paul Nicholson
December 16 – India have launched their bid for the 2027 Asian Cup hosting in New Delhi, joining already confirmed Qatar and Saudi Arabia as potential hosts for AFC’s flagship competition after China host in 2023.
AFC retreads Continental global deal with new 3-year cycle
December 16 – Continental Tires, who celebrate a 150th anniversary next year, will do so with a renewed sponsorship of the Asian Football Confederation’s national team competitions and the exclusive sponsor in the tire category.
Ulsan Hyundai secure extra time win to set up ACL final against Persepolis
December 14 – South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai came from behind to defeat Japan’s Vissel Kobe 2-1 after extra time at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Qatar on Sunday to win the East zone of the Asian Champions League (ACL). They now face Iranian giants Persepolis next Saturday in final.
AFC as Northern Marianas at 47th member; approves 2019 budget
December 10 – Northern Mariana Islands Football Association (NMIFA) became the 47th full Member Association of the Asian Football Confederation at the 30th AFC Congress yesterday.
Salman emphasises AFC unity in face of covid challenges and a calendar-packed 2021
By Paul Nicholson
December 9 – AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa has emphasised the unity of Asia’s national football associations as the core strength supporting the confederation not just during the unprecedented challenges of the covid pandemic but also as the international football world turns its attention to Asia in 2021.
Infantino tells AFC members CWC in China will be best club competition ever
By Paul Nicholson
December 9 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said that the new 24-team format Club World Cup, when it eventually holds its first edition “in China, will be the best club competition in the world.”
Asian Champions League: Korean clubs eye semi-final places
December 8 – The chances of an all-Korean semi-final in the East zone of the AFC Champions League have increased with Ulsan Hyundai FC and Suwon Samsung Bluewings being drawn in opposite quarter finals, to be played on Thursday in Qatar.