FIFA.com - News

Football's faded giants

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:30:00 GMT

From Wanderers FC through Pro Vercelli to Dynamo Dresden, FIFA.com looks at some of the once-dominant clubs that have slipped down the divisions since their halcyon days.

Buriram’s run continues, Saudi duo shine

Thu, 23 May 2013 06:15:00 GMT

The AFC Champions League quarter-final line-up is now set after another dramatic week of action across Asia with Saudi clubs enjoying success, while Thai outsiders Buriram United have continued their astonishing ride.

Guangzhou, Kashiwa ease into quarters

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:19:00 GMT

Guangzhou Evergrande and Kashiwa Reysol, who both won their first legs, were again victorious over Central Coast Mariners and Jeonbuk Motors respectively, while Lekhwiya and Esteghlal also advanced.

Buriram continue dream run, FC Seoul advance

Tue, 21 May 2013 20:01:00 GMT

Preliminary round qualifiers Buriram United continued their stunning AFC Champions League run by edging Bunyodkor to reach the last eight, K League champions FC Seoul are also through on what was also a good night for Saudi clubs.

Hosts target Asia's last eight

Mon, 20 May 2013 08:03:00 GMT

Home sides are well placed going into the AFC Champions League Round of 16 return legs with only Bunyodkor suffering defeat on the road last week. All the action previewed.

Underdogs impress as giants stumble

Thu, 16 May 2013 06:51:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews opening action in the AFC Champions League Round of 16 with unheralded Buriram United and Lekhwiya well placed to advance at the expense of highly-fancied opposition.

Esteghlal, Guangzhou & Kashiwa edge towards quarters

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:55:00 GMT

Esteghlal, Guangzhou Evergrande, Kashiwa Reysol and Lekhwiya all picked up impressive victories in the first legs of their last-16 ties.

Buriram continue dream run, Al Ahli claim advantage

Tue, 14 May 2013 23:46:00 GMT

Preliminary round qualifiers Buriram United continued their stunning form in the AFC Champions League with a 2-1 first-leg win over Bunyodkor, while 2012 finalists Al Ahli also have one foot in the last eight after a draw at El Jaish.

Formidable tasks await first-timers

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:25:00 GMT

There are five teams competing in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League for the first time, and all face tough challenges. FIFA.com previews the action in Asia's top club competition.

Babies and the beautiful game

Fri, 10 May 2013 11:55:00 GMT

From Bebeto through Joey Barton to Jonathan Soriano, FIFA.com looks at how the arrival of babies has been greeted in the world of football.

China wowed by boys from Brazil

Wed, 08 May 2013 04:34:00 GMT

FIFA.com takes a look at the growing band of Brazilians who are making the world's most populace nation their footballing home.

Fallen giants and brave novices

Thu, 02 May 2013 03:25:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the final matchday in the AFC Champions League notable for Thai outfit Buriram United sealing an unlikely progression to the knockout stage, while a host of former winners saw their hopes evaporate.

Buriram pip Vegalta to last-16 spot

Wed, 01 May 2013 14:12:00 GMT

Preliminary round qualifiers Buriram United drew 2-2 at FC Seoul to win through to the AFC Champions League knock-out stage after Vegalta Sendai were surprisingly beaten at home, while J.League giants Urawa Red Diamonds were also eliminated.

Mariners, Beijing, Bunyodkor all through

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:38:00 GMT

Australia's Central Coast Mariners reached the AFC Champions League knock-out phase for the first time despite a 3-0 defeat by Kashiwa Reysol, while Uzbekistan's Bunyodkor and China's Beijing Guoan also advanced.

Last chance for former continental kings

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 06:52:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews the final group-stage matchday in the AFC Champions League with a host of former holders facing the exit door.

Chamanga: Brazil our next target

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 09:04:00 GMT

After winning the 2012 CAF Cup of Nations in Gabon, the scene of Zambia's nadir 20 years ago, their forward James Chamanga tells FIFA.com that their next target is to reach their maiden FIFA World Cup finals.

Syrian football thriving despite troubles

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:14:00 GMT

In a special report, FIFA.com takes a look at how football in Syria is flourishing, despite the troubles affecting the country as a WAFF championship win has spurred players and coaches to new challenges.

Eight progress, six crash out

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 08:38:00 GMT

Al Gharafa, El Jaish, Esteghlal, FC Seoul, Kashiwa Reysol and Guangzhou Evergrande all made it through to the last 16 of the AFC Champions League after an action-packed matchday 5.

Evergrande through, Urawa hope continues

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:58:00 GMT

Guangzhou Evergrande sealed progression to the AFC Champions League last-16 despite a 3-2 defeat to Urawa Red Diamonds, a result that keeps the victors in with a shout at progression themselves.

Kashiwa Reysol take top spot, Mariners move second

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 23:54:00 GMT

Kashiwa Reysol earned a point in their 1-1 draw against Guizhou Renze, which is all they needed to advance to the last 16 of the AFC Champions League, while Central Coast Mariners moved into second place in Group H with a 1-0 win at Suwon Bluewings.

Reysol secure top spot, Mariners boost hopes

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:39:00 GMT

Kashiwa Reysol's 1-1 draw with Guizhou Renze was enough for them to ensure first place in Group H, while Central Coast Mariners won away to Suwon Bluewings to give themselves a great chance of reaching the last 16.

Group stage end in sight for Asian hopefuls

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 04:58:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews matchday 5 of the AFC Champions League this week where several teams will look to secure early passage into the Round of 16, including Guangzhou Evergrande, Al Gharafa and Kashiwa Reysol.

Blatter laments Boston tragedy

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:50:00 GMT

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter has expressed his deepest sympathy over the Boston Marathon bombings in a joint letter to the Executive Director of the Boston Athletic Commission and the Mayor of Boston.

Giants stumble as strugglers bounce back

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 03:55:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the latest AFC Champions League action on a matchday that proved to be a major triumph for Saudi Arabia representatives as Al Ahli and Al Shabab became the first two clubs into the knockout stage.

Al Shabab and Al Ahli progress

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 22:34:00 GMT

Saudi Arabian duo Al Shabab and Al Ahli became the first teams to book their places in the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League with wins today, while Vegalta Sendai collected their first ever win in the competition.

Sendai, Buriram rescue Asian campaigns

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:43:00 GMT

Wins for Vegalta Sendai and Buriram United blew AFC Champions League Group E wide open as the bottom pair were both victorious, while Sanfrecce Hiroshima kept their slim hopes of progress alive.

Wu Lei, China's maestro in the making

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 03:37:00 GMT

Having been instrumental in leading Shanghai SIPG into the Chinese Super League, 21-year-old forward Wu Lei has already made a splash and told FIFA.com he intends to leave a lasting impression.

Lippi's Guangzhou poised for Asian knock-outs

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 22:37:00 GMT

Guangzhou Evergrande eliminated Muangthong United from the AFC Champions League with a 4-1 win, while Ettifaq overpowered Al Shabab Al Arabi by the same scoreline and Al Hilal defeated Esteghlal 1-0.

Frontrunners eye early progression

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 08:01:00 GMT

The AFC Champions League group stage moves beyond the halfway point this week with a host of teams aiming to secure early progression led by in-form duo Al Ahli and Kashiwa Reysol.

Duo run riot, former champs open account

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 02:13:00 GMT

Just two teams - Al Ahli and Kashiwa Reysol - have maintained a perfect record after three rounds in the AFC Champions League following a matchday that saw three K League clubs outsmart their Japanese rivals.

Kashiwa win eight-goal thriller, Conca inspires Guangzhou

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:00:00 GMT

Kashiwa Reysol won 6-2 away to Suwon Bluewings in a truly bizarre contest, while Guangzhou Evergrande put four unanswered goals past Muang Thong United and Jeonbuk Motors tasted victory at Urawa Red Diamonds.

Mariners maintain hopes with Guizhou win

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:47:00 GMT

Trent Sainsbury's first goal for Central Coast Mariners earned the Australians a 2-1 home win over China's Guizhou Renhe and kept alive their hopes in the AFC Champions League.

Al Ahli stay perfect, Sanfrecce stumble again

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 02:48:00 GMT

Al Ahli maintained their perfect start in the AFC Champions League with a 4-2 win at Sepahan as the Saudis aim to better last year's runners-up finish, while it was another poor night for J.League champs Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

Top contenders do battle in Asia

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 09:12:00 GMT

FIFA.com runs the rule over this week’s AFC Champions League action with a host group pace-setters squaring off as Asia's premier club competition approaches the halfway mark.

Top two draw, Guizhou win

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 17:21:00 GMT

Beijing Guoan and Guangzhou Evergrande are the lead duo in the Chinese Super League after playing out a 1-1 draw today. Elsewhere, Jiangsu Shuntian and Shanghai Shenxin also drew, while Guizhou Renhe won 2-1.

West Asian duo maintain perfect run

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 01:29:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews all the action from Friday’s abbreviated AFC Asian Cup matchday with Bahrain and United Arab Emirates the big winners, as 2011 semi-finalists Uzbekistan were undone on the road.

Struggling China PR seek qualifying rebound

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 05:43:00 GMT

A number of AFC Asian Cup qualifiers will take place over the weekend highlighted by out-of-form China PR hosting Iraq, while Saudi Arabia visit Indonesia.

Gao flies the flag for home-grown coaches

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 06:05:00 GMT

FIFA.com chats with former China PR coach Gao Hongbo who is impressing in the Chinese Super League where big-names foreign coaches have become an increasing influence in the world’s most populace nation.

New-look Stars and Stripes shine in Algarve

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:04:00 GMT

A change in coach seems to have made little difference to world No1 USA who have continued their seemingly unstoppable momentum with yet another victory at the prestigious Algarve Cup as FIFA.com wraps up the 12-nation tournament.

Trio stay perfect as surprises abound

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:14:00 GMT

FIFA.com wraps up this week’s AFC Champions League action with just three teams maintaining a 100 per cent record after two rounds as Asia’s premier club competition again displayed its highly competitive nature.

Beijing finally win, Kashiwa beat Mariners

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:46:00 GMT

China's Beijing Guoan saw off J.League title-holders Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2-1 to break an eight-match winless run in the AFC Champions League, while Kashiwa Reysol overcame Central Coast Mariners 3-1.

Guangzhou draw at Jeonbuk, Urawa cruise

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:04:00 GMT

Jeonbuk Motors drew 1-1 at home to Guangzhou Evergrande in their AFC Champions League group-stage game, while former champions Urawa Red Diamonds returned to form by beat visiting Muang Thong United 4-1.

Jeonbuk, Pohang out for revenge

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 07:35:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews this week’s AFC Champions League action with a host of continental elite seeking to avoid being left behind on the back of successive defeats.

Champions start in style, Beijing win

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 09:49:00 GMT

Guangzhou Evergrande began the defence of their Chinese Super League title in style with a 5-1 home victory against Shanxi Zhongxin, while Beijing Guoan also picked up an impressive victory on the opening day.

Lippi's Guangzhou hunt domestic treble

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 06:51:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews the upcoming Chinese Super League season with Marcello Lippi's star-studded Guangzhou Evergrande eyeing a third successive crown.

Uzbeks shine as Japanese stumble

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 01:17:00 GMT

The AFC Champions League group stage commenced in intriguing fashion with Uzbekistan and Iran representatives shining, however there were unusually modest results for Japan and Korea Republic clubs.

Uzbeks stun Sanfrecce, Cleo grabs winner

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:36:00 GMT

Uzbekistan's Bunyodkor provided the biggest upset of this year's fledgling AFC Champions League when they shocked J.League title-holders Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2-0, while Cleo scored a winner for Kashiwa Reysol.

Guangzhou's great start, five star Seoul

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 13:26:00 GMT

There were big wins for Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande and Korea Republic kings FC Seoul as the AFC Champions League kicked-off across the continent on Tuesday.

Griffiths quits Newcastle for Beijing

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 06:35:00 GMT

Australia's Newcastle Jets say they have released striker Ryan Griffiths from his contract so he can take up a position with lower tier Chinese club Beijing Baxi.

FIFA extends sanctions to 58 football participants in China PR

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 10:50:00 GMT

FIFA can today confirm the extension of disciplinary sanctions to 58 individuals relating to domestic match-fixing and bribery investigations in China PR that date back to 2010.