FIFA.com - News

Zico: Iraq can beat anyone

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:14:00 GMT

Brazil legend Zico, now in charge of Iraq's national team, tells FIFA.com how his side overcame early doubts to qualify for the final round of Asian Zone qualifiers - and why they can take the next step by qualifying for Brazil 2014.

Eaton: Let’s do something about match-fixing

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:10:00 GMT

FIFA.com speaks to Chris Eaton, FIFA’s Head of Security, about the scale of the match-fixing problem across the globe, the new measures the organisation is taking to combat it, and its targets.

Long-rangers and a league of nations

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:47:00 GMT

An unlikely win for American Samoa, fresh achievements for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Aleksandr Duric, another stunning strike from Inigo Martinez, and a cosmopolitan Arsenal line-up feature in FIFA.com's latest stats review.

Malaysia maintain regional supremacy

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:23:00 GMT

Malaysia’s U-23 side have retained the SEA Games title in dramatic fashion, edging hosts Indonesia 4-3 on penalties after an evenly-matched final. FIFA.com reviews the tournament.

Kashiwa edge closer, silverware polished

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:34:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews a potentially pivotal weekend for Kashiwa Reysol, another Brisbane Roar landmark, and new names etched on silverware in China and Singapore.

Four spots left in Asia

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:18:00 GMT

The window of opportunity to reach the next stage of 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualification continues to get smaller in Asia, with only four berths remaining after Australia, Iran and Iraq all sealed their passage.

Camacho: Victory may have come too late

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:07:00 GMT

Jose Camacho has praised his China PR team for their 4-0 win away to Singapore but acknowledged that they may end the day out of the running for a place at Brazil 2014.

China rout Singapore, keep faint hopes alive

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:39:00 GMT

China PR kept their slim hopes of reaching the final round of Asian Zone qualifying intact by beating Singapore 4-0 on their travels.

Three through, five out in Asia

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:07:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews a matchday on which Japan, Uzbekistan and Jordan sealed berths in the fourth round and the hopes of Indonesia, Korea DPR, Singapore, Tajikistan and United Arab Emirates were ended.

Quartet well placed, five stare at abyss

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:49:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews Friday’s Brazil 2014 qualifiers in Asia where four nations can sew up their passage to the next stage, including what would be a historic moment for Jordan.

China's Brazil dreams on a knife-edge

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:56:00 GMT

Asian qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ continues on Friday with China PR on the brink of elimination, while the continent's elite are well placed with two further matchdays to come.

FIFA awards further TV rights for 2015-2022

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:16:00 GMT

The FIFA Executive Committee has decided on sales and distribution of FIFA media rights between 2015 and 2022 in Australia, Canada and the Caribbean, and awarded the sales representation for selected territories in Asia to Infront Sports & Media.

Bennett hoping to mend discontent

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:16:00 GMT

FIFA.com speaks with veteran Singapore defender Daniel Bennett whose decade-long international career has been marked by significant growth for the national team, but contrasts with a disappointing Brazil 2014 campaign to date.

Asian heavyweights nearly there

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:53:00 GMT

Asia’s top sides ran riot today in qualifying for Brazil 2014, with Japan going goal crazy against the Tajiks while Australia and Iran also had comfortable evenings.

Jordan storm past Singapore

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:51:00 GMT

Jordan maintained their 100 per cent record in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying as goals from Abdallah Deeb, Anas Bani Yaseen and Ahmad Ibrahim gave them a 3-0 win in Singapore.

Asian favourites seek dominance

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 07:28:00 GMT

The halfway mark of Asia’s third qualifying round for Brazil 2014 features a number of potentially decisive match-ups with Iran against Bahrain, and China's match-up with Iraq, amongst the highlights.

Veteran stars steer Asian hopefuls

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 06:53:00 GMT

A host of seasoned veterans have been making a splash in Asian Zone qualifying for Brazil 2014, with such evergreen stars as Maksim Shatskikh, Zheng Zhi, and Lucas Neill igniting their side's campaigns.

Favourites shocked across Asia

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:00:00 GMT

It was a night of shocks and surprises in Asian qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup as China lost out and Japan, Korea Republic and Iran were all held to draws.

Iraq too strong for Singapore

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:41:00 GMT

Second-half goals from Ala'a Abdulzehra and Younis Mahmoud gave Iraq a 2-0 victory over Singapore in their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier today.

Test two for Asian hopefuls

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 10:24:00 GMT

With Australia in Saudi Arabia, Japan visiting Uzbekistan and Iran making the trip to Qatar, FIFA.com previews Matchday 2 in the third round of Asian Zone qualifying for Brazil 2014.

Australia, Japan seal late victories

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:39:00 GMT

Australia and Japan snatched late winners over Thailand and Korea DPR respectively, while Korea Republic eased past Lebanon in their 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying matches.

China survive Singapore scare

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:13:00 GMT

China opened their 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying campaign in Group A with a 2-1 win over Singapore, with strikes from Zheng Zhi and Yu Hai sealing a comeback victory.

Asian underdogs sharpen form

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:02:00 GMT

Indonesia and Jordan boosted their confidence ahead of their forthcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers with fine results, while Thailand and Singapore played out a goalless draw.

China, Iraq seek redemption

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 01:17:00 GMT

In a group which seems to have no clear favourites, it looks likely to be a three-way battle between China, Iraq and Jordan.

Jostle for supremacy in Japan, China

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:57:00 GMT

FIFA.com’s weekly review of league football across Asia looks at Japan and China PR, where there is much jostling among the competition leaders, as well as the latest from Uzbekistan and Singapore.

Favourites prevail in Asian qualifiers

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:27:00 GMT

Singapore celebrated, while China PR were among the biggest winners as the final places in Asia's third round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers were decided. FIFA.com rounds up the action.

China score six, Saudis hit five

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:56:00 GMT

Asia's big guns in the preliminary qualification for 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ saw their names make it into Saturday's Preliminary Draw with big wins as Saudi Arabia and China scored five and six apiece.

Old masters, South American sensations

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 08:10:00 GMT

Diego Forlan's Copa America exploits feature alongside Sergio Batista's sacking, Ralf Faehrmann's dream debut and the impressive feats of veteran duo Rivaldo and Aleksandar Duric in FIFA.com's latest stats review.

Asian hopefuls in do or die deciders

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:42:00 GMT

Asia's second round of qualifiers reaching a climax today, with no fewer than 30 sides battling it out on the road to 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. You can follow the action live on FIFA.com.

Asian favourites draw first blood

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:00:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the latest round of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying in Asia, which saw the traditional favourites take an advantage over their underdog opponents.

China, Jordan among convincing winners

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 23:36:00 GMT

Asia's second qualifying round for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ got underway with China notably beating Laos 7-2, Jordan firing nine unanswered goals past Nepal, and Qatar seeing off Vietnam 3-0.

Thirty hopefuls begin road to round three

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 06:55:00 GMT

Some intriguing second round, first legs are in store, with Kuwait-Philippines, Qatar-Vietnam, Singapore-Malaysia and United Arab Emirates-India catching the eye.

Japanese media hails returning heroines

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:40:00 GMT

On the day the Germany 2011 winners returned home, the press in Japan and across Asia have hailed the ground-breaking success of Norio Sasaki and his team.

Asian front-runners in mixed moods

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 09:24:00 GMT

League leaders across Asia were looking over their shoulders this weekend after many suffered poor results and saw the chasers narrow the gap and turn the heat up on the them at the summit.

A tale of two neighbours

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 10:55:00 GMT

It's just over a week before the second round of AFC candidates challenge for a place in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ draw, and old rivals Malaysia and Singapore look set to provide the most personal tie.

Records abound as history is made

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:10:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the latest action around the Asian leagues, with two sets of fixtures played in the Chinese Super League, late finishes in the J.League, and goals galore in the K-League.

Gerrard to miss tour of Asia

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:59:00 GMT

Steven Gerrard will not travel with Liverpool on their pre-season tour of Asia, after it was decided that the club captain should continue his recovery from injury at Melwood.

Leaders march on in the Far East

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 09:16:00 GMT

Kashiwa Reysol, Jeonbuk Motors and Guangzhou Yiyao strenghtened their grips on pole position in Japan, Korea Republic and China PR respectively, while Al Ahli lifted silverware in Saudi Arabia.

Strikers shine as leaders press on

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 09:40:00 GMT

Star strikers came to the fore in Asia over the weekend, grabbing goals aplenty as the leaders in the continent's major leagues strengthened their positions. FIFA.com rounds up the best of the action.

New leaders across Asia

Mon, 09 May 2011 08:43:00 GMT

FIFA.com’s regular review of club football in Asia looks at Japan, India, China and Korea Republic where new competition leaders took charge on the weekend, plus the latest from Singapore and Malaysia.

Rovers salvage draw, Nasaf take control

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:37:00 GMT

Aleksandar Duric scored a late equaliser for Tampines Rovers to draw 1-1 with Hanoi T&T in the AFC Cup, while Teerasil Dangda scored for a dramatic Muang Thong United 1-0 win over Victory SC.

Brazil 2014 draw stirs Asian hopefuls

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 09:02:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the Asian qualifying draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ which has thrown up a host of intriguing match-ups as some of the continents smaller footballing nations seek a share of the spotlight.

Asia's Brazil 2014 draw made

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:26:00 GMT

The AFC has conducted the draw for Asia’s first and second round qualifiers for Brazil 2014.

Asian Zone to play preliminary round for Brazil 2014

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 14:38:00 GMT

The members of the Asian Football Confederation are gearing up to begin the race for FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil, with the draw for qualification set to take place on 30 March in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

South China and East Bengal suffer blows

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 17:29:00 GMT

Chonburi FC inflicted another blow to South China's AFC Cup hopes in a 3-0 win, while Persipura Jayapura thrashed East Bengal 4-1, and Hanoi T&T earned a 2-0 win over Victory SC.

Al Ain, Al Sadd qualify for group stage

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 20:37:00 GMT

Al Ain made their way into the AFC Champions League group stages having put Sriwijaya to the sword 4-0, while Al Sadd made up the numbers by beating Dempo SC 2-0 and reach the tournament-proper.

Yemen-Singapore postponed

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:25:00 GMT

The Asian Men’s Preliminary Competition match between Yemen and Singapore for the Olympic Football Tournaments London 2012 has been postponed

Philippines stun defending champions

Sun, 05 Dec 2010 16:55:00 GMT

The Philippines pulled off one of the biggest shocks in the history of the AFF Suzuki Cup with a 2-0 win over defending champions Vietnam.

Vietnam thrash Myanmar

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 17:00:00 GMT

Vietnam swept to an impressive opening-match victory over Myanmar in their defence of their AFF Cup crown, winning 7-1, while the Philippines and Singapore played out a 1-1 draw.

Beijing season ends with victory

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 14:39:00 GMT

Beijing Guoan beat Sengkang Punggol 1-0 in their final game of the S.League season, a goal from Wang Ho in the second half meaning they finish tenth in the final standings, one place above their opponents.