AFC switches 2019 AFC Cup final from Pyongyang to Shanghai
October 23 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has moved the AFC Cup 2019 final from Pyongyang in North Korea to Shanghai.
Tag: Asia
ISL beats I-League to become India’s top league
By Samindra Kunti
October 18 – At last, Indian football has a roadmap. After years of dragging its feet the Indian governing body, AIFF has presented a plan to establish a single league by the 2024-25 season.
Korean war: No long lost love found as South Koreans tell of a brutal encounter
October 17 – South Korea’s players say their World Cup qualifier against North Korea in Pyongyang was physically brutal and included abusive language.
New political territory: Saudi Arabia to play World Cup qualifier in Palestine
By Andrew Warshaw
October 4 – New ground is being broken in the world of Middle East footballing geo-politics with Saudi Arabia agreeing to play Palestine in the occupied territories in a World Cup qualifier on October 15.
North vs South: Koreas lined-up for World Cup encounter but doubts over venue
October 4 – South Korea says it is still unsure whether its upcoming World Cup qualifier against North Korea will take place in Pyongyang or switched to a neutral ground.
AFC draws teams for Thailand 2020 U-23 finals and Olympic qualifier
September 26 – The draw for the AFC U-23 finals that will be played in Thailand in January 2020 was held in Bangkok today and pitched defending champions Uzbekistan in the same group as the region’s football power houses South Korea and Iran, as well as the deeply aspirational Chinese.
FIFA names committee members to put Pakistan back on track
September 16 – FIFA has appointed the members of a normalisation committee that will run day affairs at the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) in an attempt to bring to bring order to an administration that has been deeply divided football administration ever since controversial presidential elections in 2015.
Palestine and Mongolia spring surprises as Asian World Cup qualifying enters second round
September 6 – Palestine and Mongolia with surprise victories got the second round of Asian World Cup qualifiers. Meanwhile Asian champions and World Cup 2022 hosts Qatar continued their impressive form thrashing Afghanistan 6-0.
AFC boosts member development initiatives with new money and benchmarking
September 4 – The Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) has boosted its member development programmes with increased money allocated and new criteria for a raft of development initiatives.
Dream Asia Awards nominees announced in timely reminder of the real power of football
September 3 – While FIFA is busy lauding the biggest, best and most wealthy with their Best Awards, a significantly more humble set of awards and nominees were announced in Asia.
China vs Japan club battles end all square after AFC Champions League first leg
August 29 – The first legs of the AFC Champions League quarter finals in the eastern zone have both ended all square and with all to play for in two weeks.
Women can attend Iran’s World Cup qualifier in October, says deputy sports minister
August 27 – Iran may be on the verge of allowing women into football stadia after a long campaign of pressure from FFIA, the AFC and various fan groups. Local news agency IRNA has reported that women will be allowed to attend Team Melli’s World Cup qualifier against Cambodia in October.
With World Cup qualifiers nearing, pressure builds on Iran to allow women into stadia
August 22 – Iran is under pressure again, this time by its own regional body, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), for failing to lift its ban on women attending men’s matches.
Gallop to step down as boss of Aussie FA
July 11 – Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop has announced he is stepping down on December 31 as the sport prepares to implement far-reaching changes.
Shaikh Salman promises AFC will deliver as global focus turns to Asia
By Paul Nicholson in Paris
June 4 – This Thursday in Ulaanbaatar the first ball of the 2022 World Cup will be kicked when Mongolia and Brunei Darussalam being the first round of AFC qualifying. In December in three years time the last ball will be kicked in Doha Qatar. The focus is on Asia, said AFC president Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa.