FIFA.com - News

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.

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.

Asian women begin bid for Canada

Mon, 20 May 2013 03:11:00 GMT

The journey towards the newly enlarged 24-nation FIFA Women’s World Cup™ begins this week for Asia’s aspirants with the continent set to field a record number of contenders.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Former champs out to start with a bang

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 07:31:00 GMT

The AFC Champions League group stage kicks-off this week with a host of traditional elite joined by a number of competition debutants all seeking to be crowned Asian club kings.

Asia’s aspirants eye long path to glory

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 09:18:00 GMT

The AFC Champions League begins this weekend with the preliminary round kick-starting a nine-month campaign in Asia’s premier club competition. FIFA.com previews the key match-ups.

Asian favourites open brightly

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 02:55:00 GMT

The journey towards AFC Asian Cup qualification began with continental giants Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia opening in bright fashion while ten-man Hong Kong managed to collect a point on the road against 2011 semi-finalists Uzbekistan.

Journey to Asian glory opens with key match-ups

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 07:34:00 GMT

The long road to qualification for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia commences on Wednesday with a massive matchday featuring ten matches and four former continental kings. FIFA.com previews all the action.

Schafer: We try to play like Spain

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 08:46:00 GMT

After two and a half years at the Thailand helm, Winfried Schafer believes that his switch to a more Spanish style of playing is the reason behind the War Elephants' recent fine run.

Familiar trio head up Asian contenders

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 09:50:00 GMT

Five days of action in Doha produced countless thrilling matches and an avalanche of goals but when the dust settled it was three familiar names in Iran, Japan and United Arab Emirates who had won through to Tahiti 2013.

Asian giants face challenge in Doha

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 08:31:00 GMT

The Qatari capital Doha is set to host the AFC qualifiers for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013, as teams hope for one of the three tickets to the event in September. FIFA.com previews the qualifiers.

War Elephants roar again

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 17:34:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks at Thailand's rise up the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, with their performance at the recent AFF Suzuki Cup helping the War Elephants make a significant leap.

Singapore in fourth heaven

Sun, 23 Dec 2012 08:15:00 GMT

The AFF Suzuki Cup saw Singapore coach Raddy Avramovic end a successful decade-long tenure on a high as the Lions claimed a record fourth crown, while Thailand’s Teerasil Dangda again shone and Philippines continued to grow.

Singapore hang on to triumph in final

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 15:10:00 GMT

Singapore were made to sweat by Thailand in the AFF Suzuki Cup final second leg, as the home side claimed a 1-0 win in a one-sided affair, but Radojko Avramovic's side hung to claim a record fourth title 3-2 on aggregate.

Singapore to the fore in final

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:12:00 GMT

Singapore have taken a giant stride towards winning a record fourth AFF Suzuki Cup after claiming a 3-1 lead over Thailand in the home leg of the final.

Shahril: We want to rewrite history

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 11:30:00 GMT

Singapore captain Shahril Ishak tells FIFA.com his experienced and unified Lions side are determined to make history by becoming the first nation to win the AFF Suzuki Cup four times.

Singapore, Thailand vie for record fourth title

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 06:33:00 GMT

Regional heavyweights Singapore and Thailand will vie for the honour of becoming south-east Asia's first four-time champions with the AFF Suzuki Cup final to be played on Wednesday and Saturday.

Thailand into final as Malaysia's reign ends

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:49:00 GMT

Thailand have set up a dream AFF Suzuki Cup final meeting with Singapore - both nations have won the tournament a record three-times - as the War Elephants cruised past Malaysia after the holders had been reduced to ten men.

South-east Asian rivals hunt final berth

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 08:27:00 GMT

The AFF Suzuki Cup semi-finals take place this weekend with Thailand - seeking to end a decade-long title drought - hosting Malaysia, while Philippines will look to create history by winning through to their maiden final at Singapore's expense.

Tough draw for Chinese champions

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 11:33:00 GMT

Guangzhou Evergrande have been placed in a group containing Jeonbuk Motors and Urawa Red Diamonds when the 2013 AFC Champions League draw was made today.

Spiderman in studs!

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 17:04:00 GMT

Every Monday, FIFA.com delivers you a football-related photo you won’t be able to resist paying a second glance to. This week’s shows an English forward showing off his latest wacky hairstyle!

South-east Asia's finest take centre stage

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 07:18:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews the AFF Suzuki Cup which commences this weekend with the biannual south-east Asian tournament typically promising large fervent crowds and high tempo football.

Brazilian futsal kings reign supreme

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 04:18:00 GMT

FIFA.com rounds up the action from Thailand 2012, where A Seleção clinched the world title for a fifth time after overcoming old foes Spain in the final.

Vote for your goal of the tournament

Sun, 18 Nov 2012 17:10:00 GMT

FIFA.com has selected ten of the best goals from Thailand 2012. Now it’s your turn to vote for the finest finish at the FIFA Futsal World Cup.

What is international football’s biggest rivalry?

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 10:36:00 GMT

FIFA.com wants to know what you feel is the biggest rivalry in the international game.

Knockout casualties out but not down

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:47:00 GMT

FIFA.com gathers reaction from the eight teams who bowed out from the round of 16 at Thailand 2012, with all but a couple able to look on the bright side.