Fans to Return for Asian Champions League for First Time Since March
4 years ago

Fans to Return for Asian Champions League for First Time Since March

News 18  

Spectators will be permitted to attend Saturday’s final of the Asian Champions League between Persepolis and Ulsan Hyundai in Doha, the first time fans will be allowed to watch the competition in person since play was suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Authorities in Qatar have previously allowed fans to attend matches in Doha, with a crowd of 1,044 admitted to the national team’s 2022 World Cup qualifier with Bangladesh earlier this month. Games in the Asian Champions League were suspended earlier this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the event resuming in September when Qatar hosted teams from the west of Asia in a centralised bio-secure bubble. Ulsan are aiming to win the Asian Champions League for the second time in the club’s history after claiming the title in 2012 while Persepolis are seeking to secure their maiden victory in the continent’s premier club competition.

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History of this topic

2024 Reporter Diaries: Asian Cup turns Doha into a carnival of music, food and football philosophies - Neeladri Bhattacharjee, Sportstar
1 week, 4 days ago

2024 Reporter Diaries: Asian Cup turns Doha into a carnival of music, food and football philosophies - Neeladri Bhattacharjee, Sportstar

The Hindu  

Football in the Arab world, like everywhere else around the globe, is never just a sport, but an occasion to meet new people, discuss ideas about the game and beyond, and end matchdays with either praise or banter, depending on which team you support. The AFC Asian Cup, following the FIFA World Cup 2022, exemplified this when Qatar rolled out …

UCL 2024-25: Bayern Munich beats 10 men PSG 1-0 after fan protest against Al-Khelaifi
1 month, 1 week ago

UCL 2024-25: Bayern Munich beats 10 men PSG 1-0 after fan protest against Al-Khelaifi

The Hindu  

Kim Min-jae’s first-half goal gave Bayern Munich a 1-0 win over 10-man Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday to leave the French club in real danger of being eliminated before the knockout phase. Bayern fans protest against PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi Bayern Munich fans protested against Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi during the teams’ Champions League match on …

AP PHOTOS: Memorable moments from the Asian Cup in Qatar
10 months, 4 weeks ago

AP PHOTOS: Memorable moments from the Asian Cup in Qatar

Associated Press  

DOHA, Qatar — After four weeks filled with drama and upset, the Asian Cup ended with host nation and defending champion Qatar celebrating its second consecutive title. South Korea’s fan waits for the start of the Asian Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Australia and South Korea at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. South Korea’s …

Asian Cup final brings FIFA World Cup frenzy back to Qatar’s Souq Waqif
10 months, 4 weeks ago

Asian Cup final brings FIFA World Cup frenzy back to Qatar’s Souq Waqif

Al Jazeera  

Excitement for the Asian Cup football final is reaching fever pitch as al-Annabi take on an-Nashama at Lusail Stadium. Doha, Qatar – On Friday nights, Souq Waqif – Qatar’s old-style all-purpose market that also serves as the country’s central tourist attraction – brings together people from all walks of life, dozens of different nationalities and varying interests for a unique …

Qatar Set To Host Delayed Asian Cup As Gulf Influence In Football Grows
1 year ago

Qatar Set To Host Delayed Asian Cup As Gulf Influence In Football Grows

News 18  

Qatar returns to the spotlight on Friday little more than a year after the first World Cup held in the Arab world when the relocated and delayed 2023 Asian Cup gets underway amid a seismic shift in football’s global order. Emboldened by Qatar’s success in hosting the 2022 edition, the Saudis emerged as the only candidate to host the 2034 …

Asian Champions League clash called off after Al Ittihad refuses to leave dressing room
1 year, 3 months ago

Asian Champions League clash called off after Al Ittihad refuses to leave dressing room

The Hindu  

Al-Ittihad’s Asian Champions League match with Iran’s Sepahan was called off on Monday after the Saudi team refused to leave its dressing-room due to a statue of an assassinated Iranian general being placed at the entrance to the pitch. The game was postponed by officials at the Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium in Isfahan, where around 60,000 fans had turned out to …

AIFF Urges ISL Clubs to Release Asian Games-bound Footballers
1 year, 4 months ago

AIFF Urges ISL Clubs to Release Asian Games-bound Footballers

News 18  

The All India Football Federation has urged the 10 Indian Super League franchises to release players selected for the upcoming Asian Games, keeping the “national interest in mind”. “We very much understand that this Asian Games is outside the FIFA window, and you are not obliged to release the players,” AIFF secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran wrote in a letter to …

Qatar must become best in Asia to challenge on global stage: Queiroz
1 year, 7 months ago

Qatar must become best in Asia to challenge on global stage: Queiroz

The Hindu  

Qatar head coach Carlos Queiroz said they must move on from their disappointing performance as hosts of last year’s World Cup and focus on defending their AFC Asian Cup title against “beautiful players” and “wonderful teams”. “We are in one special moment because looking back a little bit, we’ve just finished the World Cup, and it was a little below …

Qatar to host AFC Asian Cup 2023 from January 12 to February 10, 2024
1 year, 10 months ago

Qatar to host AFC Asian Cup 2023 from January 12 to February 10, 2024

The Hindu  

The AFC Men’s Asian Cup 2023 will be held in Qatar from January 12 to February 10, 2024, the Asian Football Confederation announced on Friday. In a letter to all the Participating Member Associations, the AFC informed that Qatar will host the upcoming edition of the tournament, and invited the President of each PMA, Head Coach and Team Managers were …

Qatar to stage 2023 Asian Cup after World Cup
2 years, 2 months ago

Qatar to stage 2023 Asian Cup after World Cup

Hindustan Times  

Qatar will stage next year's Asian Cup in place of original hosts China after seeing off rival bids from South Korea and Indonesia, the Asian Football Confederation announced on Monday. The AFC reopened the bidding process and Qatar, which will host the World Cup finals from next month, was preferred to bids from South Korea and Indonesia at an executive …

China cites pandemic and withdraws as host of 2023 Asian Cup
2 years, 7 months ago

China cites pandemic and withdraws as host of 2023 Asian Cup

Associated Press  

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — China withdrew as host of soccer’s 2023 Asian Cup on Saturday in the latest cancellation of the country’s sports hosting duties during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Asian Football Confederation praised Chinese soccer officials for making “this very difficult but necessary decision in the collective interests of the AFC Asian Cup.” The 24-nation tournament was due to …

China gives up 2023 Asian Cup hosting rights - AFC
2 years, 7 months ago

China gives up 2023 Asian Cup hosting rights - AFC

The Hindu  

China has relinquished its rights to host the 2023 Asian Cup finals due to the COVID-19 situation in the country, the Asian Football Confederation announced on Saturday. "Following extensive discussions with the Chinese Football Association, the Asian Football Confederation has been officially informed by the CFA that it would not be able to host the AFC Asian Cup 2023," the …

Asian Champions League announces procedural changes
2 years, 10 months ago

Asian Champions League announces procedural changes

The Hindu  

The Asian Champions League is set to move closer to its European namesake in its schedule and the number of foreign players each team is allowed, the Asian Football Confederation said Friday. From September 2023, the continent’s flagship event will transition to an autumn-spring format that replaces the current spring-autumn cycle that has been in place since 2004. READ | …

FIFA plans to postpone Club World Cup until 2022 due to hosting challenges
3 years, 3 months ago

FIFA plans to postpone Club World Cup until 2022 due to hosting challenges

Firstpost  

Coronavirus restrictions led to Japan withdrawing from staging the tournament this December, and South Africa then abandoned a bid due to the need to get more of the country vaccinated. London: FIFA plans to postpone the Club World Cup until early next year due to hosting challenges linked to the pandemic, people familiar with the planning said. Coronavirus restrictions led …

India to bid for 2021 Asian Champions League
3 years, 11 months ago

India to bid for 2021 Asian Champions League

Hindustan Times  

FC Goa were clubbed with last year’s runners-up Persepolis and Qatar’s Al-Rayyan in the 2021 Asian Champions League, the group stage draw for which was made in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. FC Goa, who qualified by virtue of being the league stage winners of last season’s Indian Super League, are in west zone whose group stage games will be held …

Asian Champions League, AFC Cup group stages to be played in centralised venues
3 years, 11 months ago

Asian Champions League, AFC Cup group stages to be played in centralised venues

The Hindu  

This year's Asian Champions League and AFC Cup club competitions will be played in centralised group stages due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian Football Confederation said on Monday. Asian soccer's governing body said the Asian Champions League group stage matches in the west region will be scheduled between April 14-30, while the east region games are planned for April …

Club World Cup draw pits Bayern against Africa-Qatar winner
3 years, 11 months ago

Club World Cup draw pits Bayern against Africa-Qatar winner

The Hindu  

Bayern Munich will have to beat the champion of Africa or Qatar to reach the Club World Cup final after FIFA made the tournament draw Tuesday. Champions League winner Bayern will face either Al Ahly of Eqypt or host nation Qatar’s domestic league winner Al-Duhail on February 8. The Copa Libertadores champion will play CONCACAF Champions League winner Tigres or …

Ulsan Hyundai Beat Iran's Persepolis to Become 12th K-League Team to be Crowned Asian Champions
4 years ago

Ulsan Hyundai Beat Iran's Persepolis to Become 12th K-League Team to be Crowned Asian Champions

News 18  

Ulsan Hyundai reasserted East Asian dominance with victory in the Asian Champions League final but, as the trophy was packed up for the journey to South Korea, it was Qatar who emerged as the major winners of the heavily disrupted competition. Ulsan’s 2-1 win over Iran’s Persepolis in Doha on Saturday marked the 12th time a K-League team had been …

Ulsan Hyundai Beat Persepolis 2-1 to Win AFC Champions League Final
4 years ago

Ulsan Hyundai Beat Persepolis 2-1 to Win AFC Champions League Final

News 18  

Junior Negrao scored twice as South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai came from a goal behind to win the Asian Champions League final in Doha on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Persepolis from Iran. A pair of VAR-awarded penalties either side of halftime swung the game in Ulsan’s favour after Mehdi Abdi had given Persepolis the lead against the run of …

Qatar learns lessons for Asian Champions League Part II
4 years, 1 month ago

Qatar learns lessons for Asian Champions League Part II

The Hindu  

Qatari officials are confident that refinements made to health protocols for the resumption of eastern half of the Asian Champions League will prevent novel coronavirus infections from again influencing the outcome of the competition. Dr Abdul Wahab Al Musleh, the adviser to the minister of public health of Qatar on sports affairs, believes amendments made to arrangements for the biosecure …

Doha to host single leg Asian Champions League final - Sportstar
4 years, 2 months ago

Doha to host single leg Asian Champions League final - Sportstar

The Hindu  

Qatar will host the single leg final of this year's Asian Champions League in Doha on December 19 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian Football Confederation said on Friday. West zone games in the continent's top club tournament were moved to Qatar when the sport resumed last month and the AFC then moved all remaining games for East zone sides …

AFC Champions League: Sydney FC's Qatar trip in doubt due to quarantine assurances - football news
4 years, 2 months ago

AFC Champions League: Sydney FC's Qatar trip in doubt due to quarantine assurances - football news

The Hindu  

A-League champion Sydney FC may not travel to Qatar for the Asian Champions League if the Australian government does not give them permission to train together during quarantine on its return, coach Steve Corica has said. Sydney, Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory are due to play their remaining ACL group games in a hub in Doha next month but having …

Sydney FC Seek Quarantine Practice Assurances Ahead of Asian Champions League Travel
4 years, 2 months ago

Sydney FC Seek Quarantine Practice Assurances Ahead of Asian Champions League Travel

News 18  

A-League champions Sydney FC may not travel to Qatar for the Asian Champions League if the Australian government does not give them permission to train together during quarantine on their return, coach Steve Corica has said. Sydney, Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory are due to play their remaining ACL group games in a hub in Doha next month but having …

AFC Champions League East Asia matches moved to Qatar - Football News - Sportstar
4 years, 3 months ago

AFC Champions League East Asia matches moved to Qatar - Football News - Sportstar

The Hindu  

The Asian Football Confederation on Friday said it has moved all remaining Asian Champions League games for East zone sides to Qatar from Malaysia. The games, including remaining group matches, will now take place from November 18 to December 13 in Doha, which earlier this week saw the conclusion of West zone matches where Iran's Persepolis advanced to the December …

Qatar To Host Delayed AFC Champions League Eastern Division
4 years, 3 months ago

Qatar To Host Delayed AFC Champions League Eastern Division

News 18  

The Asian Football Confederation said Friday that the eastern portion of the Asian Champions League like the recently completed western division will be played in Qatar after an agreement was reached between it and the Qatar Football Association. The western division teams were subject to testing and biosecure hotels and transport during their stay in Qatar, and similar is planned …

Asian Champions League East Zone to resume on November 18 - Football News - Sportstar
4 years, 3 months ago

Asian Champions League East Zone to resume on November 18 - Football News - Sportstar

The Hindu  

The Asian Champions League's rescheduled group stage matches for clubs in the East Zone will take place from November 18-December 4, the Asian Football Confederation confirmed on Tuesday with the release of the fixture list. Perth Glory, one of three Australian teams in the competition, kick off the East Zone restart with a Group F game against China's Shanghai Shenhua …

AFC Champions League: Persepolis to take on Pakhtakor in quarterfinals
4 years, 3 months ago

AFC Champions League: Persepolis to take on Pakhtakor in quarterfinals

The Hindu  

Saudi Arabia has been guaranteed a spot in the semi-finals of the Asian Champions League after Al Nassr and Al Ahli clubs were drawn to face one another in Wednesday's quarter-finals in Doha. Iran's Persepolis will take on Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan in the other quarter-final to be played in the west Asian half of this year's coronavirus-affected competition, with both …

Asian Champions League to look at game hub venues for 2021
4 years, 3 months ago

Asian Champions League to look at game hub venues for 2021

The Hindu  

The Asian Champions League could play a second season in centralized hub venues next year because of the coronavirus pandemic, the competition’s organizer said Friday. Centralized formats are definitely on the table, Asian Football Confederation general secretary Windsor John said Friday. The western section of the knockout rounds begins Saturday in Doha — without defending champion Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia …

Asian Champions League May be Played in Centralized Venues Next Year Too
4 years, 3 months ago

Asian Champions League May be Played in Centralized Venues Next Year Too

News 18  

The Asian Champions League could play a second season in centralized hub venues next year because of the coronavirus pandemic, the competitions organizer said Friday. Centralized formats are definitely on the table, Asian Football Confederation general secretary Windsor John said Friday. The western section of the knockout rounds begins Saturday in Doha without defending champion Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia which …

AFC Champions League in Qatar important test to ensure readiness for FIFA WC: CEO Al Khater
4 years, 3 months ago

AFC Champions League in Qatar important test to ensure readiness for FIFA WC: CEO Al Khater

The Hindu  

Following a six-month delay due to the raging Covid-19 pandemic, the AFC Champions League gets underway in Qatar from Monday. Commenting on the return of continental football, Nasser Al Khater, CEO of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, said, “The AFC Champions League is a prestigious tournament that we are honoured to host. "This includes putting in place a series of …

AFC Champions League in Qatar important test to ensure readiness for FIFA WC: CEO Al Khater
4 years, 3 months ago

AFC Champions League in Qatar important test to ensure readiness for FIFA WC: CEO Al Khater

The Hindu  

Following a six-month delay due to the raging Covid-19 pandemic, the AFC Champions League gets underway in Qatar from Monday. Commenting on the return of continental football, Nasser Al Khater, CEO of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, said, “The AFC Champions League is a prestigious tournament that we are honoured to host. "This includes putting in place a series of …

Asian Champions League set to resume on September 14 - football news
4 years, 3 months ago

Asian Champions League set to resume on September 14 - football news

The Hindu  

When the decision was made in 2013 to split the Asian Champions League into east and west geographic zones, it was unthinkable that a team from one half of the continent could book a place in the grand final long before some clubs on the other side had started the group stage. Competition in the western zone restarts from Monday …

AFC Cup Cancelled, Champions League Further Delayed Due to Coronavirus
4 years, 3 months ago

AFC Cup Cancelled, Champions League Further Delayed Due to Coronavirus

News 18  

Asia’s football body on Thursday cancelled this year’s AFC Cup because of the coronavirus pandemic — and also announced further delays to Champions League matches in what it said were “tough times” for the sport. The Asian Football Confederation had hoped to restart its long-delayed Cup competition next month in four host countries, but following a meeting of the executive …

Asia's World Cup Qualifiers Postponed to 2021 Due to Covid-19
4 years, 4 months ago

Asia's World Cup Qualifiers Postponed to 2021 Due to Covid-19

News 18  

Qualifying matches in Asia for the 2022 Qatar World Cup have been postponed until next year due to the coronavirus pandemic, world governing body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation said in a statement on Wednesday. The second round of Asian qualifiers were originally scheduled to take place during the international windows in October and November but they would not …

Malaysia to host Asian Champions League matches in East Asia
4 years, 5 months ago

Malaysia to host Asian Champions League matches in East Asia

The Hindu  

Malaysia has been named the Asian Champions League's centralised hub in East Asia with matches in the region due to restart in October, the continent's soccer governing body said on Monday. Asia's elite club competition was suspended in early March because of the COVID-19 pandemic and will resume in West Asia hub Qatar on September 14. Teams from China, Australia, …

Asian Champions League to restart with groups in Qatar hub
4 years, 5 months ago

Asian Champions League to restart with groups in Qatar hub

The Hindu  

The Asian Champions League is set to restart after a seven-month pause with Qatar announced on Thursday as the host of all western region games through the semifinals. The Asian Football Confederation said 16 teams - including four from Saudi Arabia and four from the United Arab Emirates - will go to Qatar as a centralised venue to complete the …

Asian Champions League to resume in September, October
4 years, 6 months ago

Asian Champions League to resume in September, October

The Hindu  

The Asian Champions League will resume in two regional hubs in September and October with a single match deciding the title in early December, the Asian Football Confederation said on Thursday. The continent's elite club competition, which was suspended in early March because of the novel coronavirus outbreak, will resume first in West Asia on September 14 and in East …

Virus-hit AFC Champions League delays knock-out rounds
4 years, 10 months ago

Virus-hit AFC Champions League delays knock-out rounds

The Hindu  

The Asian Champions League pushed back the start of its Eastern zone knock-out rounds on Monday after the competition was severely disrupted by the novel coronavirus. “These are challenging and unprecedented times,” Asian Football Confederation general Windsor John said in a statement, after emergency talks in Kuala Lumpur. “The AFC will not put anyone at risk during these times of …

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