TOPIC

AFC Asian Cup 2023

AFC Asian Cup 2023
Hong Kong will compete in the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in 54 years when the footballing event kicks off in 2023. After China withdrew from hosting the tournament, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia and Qatar all submitted bids to step in, with a decision expected in October 2022.
India players (blue) during their Asia Cup qualifying clash with Hong Kong at Kai Tak Stadium in June. Photo: Elson Li
Fifa

Hong Kong Asian Cup opponents India could face second Fifa ban in 3 years

Football’s world governing body expresses ‘profound concern’ over failure to implement new constitution.

South Korea re-elects football chief who wanted to overturn match-fixing bans

2031 Asian Cup: Australia interested, Central Asian nations launch joint bid

Fifa World Cup 2026

Asian champions Qatar sack coach Lopez after poor World Cup qualifying campaign

The Spaniard, who led Qatar to their second straight Asian Cup title in February, will be replaced by his assistant, Luis Garcia.

Spanish coach Marquez Lopez took Qatar to their second Asian Cup in a row after replacing Carlos Queiroz, but his team have slipped to fourth in their qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup. Photo: AFP
Chinese Football Association (CFA)

China promise aggressive approach in vital World Cup qualifier against Thailand

Branko Ivankovic’s team, missing four key men, have a three-point lead over Thailand, but will face leaders South Korea in final match, while the Thais will be expected to beat Singapore.

Indonesia

Indonesia, Asian football’s sleeping tiger, ready to roar as team hit new heights

Breakthroughs at the Asian Cup, Olympic qualifiers and the World Cup, have woken up a football-mad country led by the ‘Asian Mourinho’ and able FA president.

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The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Like Liverpool 1996 or Italy at Euros? Hong Kong boss gets footballers suited up

Hong Kong national team’s stylish travelling attire is the brainchild of coach Jorn Andersen, who wants players to be more professional in every way – but it’s nothing new.

Mark Wright (right) and John Barnes with their Liverpool teammates on the pitch at Wembley before the start of the 1996 FA Cup final against Manchester United. Photo: Getty Images
Fifa World Cup 2026

Lee Kang-in picked for South Korea despite table tennis fight with Son Heung-min

The duo were involved in a bust-up over a table-tennis match on the eve of the Koreans’ Asian Cup semi-final loss against Jordan in which Son played with a dislocated finger.

South Korea

South Korea sack boss Klinsmann after Asian Cup disappointment

South Korea’s loss to Jordan in semi-finals extended 64-year wait to win continental competition for third time.

South Korea

South Korea football bosses say Klinsmann should be sacked for Asian Cup failure

Korea Football Association’s national team committee not a decision-making body, but will send its findings to executive board.

South Korea coach Jurgen Klinsmann reacts to an incident during training at the Asian Cup. Photo: Reuters
Son Heung-min

When ping pong diplomacy fails: Son Heung-min injured finger in South Korea fight

Argument said to have escalated when Son complained about teammates eating dinner quickly so they could scoot off to play table tennis, on the eve of their shock Asian Cup exit.

Son Heung-min was said to have been unhappy at his teammates’ approach to squad meals. Photo: AP

Qatar retain Asian Cup title as Jordan pay penalty for indiscipline

Referee Ma Ning awards hosts hat-trick of spot kicks in disappointing end to enthralling month of football.

‘Jordanian Messi’ Al-Taamari key to team’s Asian Cup final hopes

In a tournament boasting the likes of South Korea’s Son Heung-min, it is Musa Al-Taamari who has been the stand-out performer on his team’s way to a first final, where they will take on Qatar.

Uzbekistan

Qatar captain hails team spirit as country stands on brink of Asian Cup history

Victory will see hosts become first team in 20 years to defend title, making them part of an elite group. Ma Ning is the first Chinese official to take charge of an Asian Cup final.

Qatar’s Hassan Al Haydos celebrates his side’s Asian Cup semi-final win over Iran. Photo: Reuters

Asian Cup semi-final loss ‘worst day of my life’, says Iran coach Ghalenoei

Qatar’s Almoez Ali scores winner eight minutes from time, as defending champions set up final against Jordan.

Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei walks off the pitch after his side’s semi-final defeat to Qatar. Photo: EPA-EFE
Uzbekistan

Iran seek first Asian Cup final in 48 years but query choice of Kuwaiti referee

Last chance for Iran’s veterans to win this tournament, coach Amir Ghalenoei says before semi-final against holders and hosts Qatar.

South Korea

Angry South Korea boss Klinsmann says he won’t resign despite Asian Cup failure

Jurgen Klinsmann says he accepts responsibility for semi-final loss to Jordan, but is now focused on country’s World Cup qualifying campaign

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Hong Kong sports

Editorial | Hong Kong and China have much to learn from Asian Cup elimination

Hong Kong and China took different paths to elimination from the Asian Cup, but reflecting on their performance and progress will boost their prospects in the World Cup qualifiers

Wu Lei of China reacts after missing a chance to score during the Group A match between China and Lebanon at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023. Photo: Xinhua

South Korea on a roll, Klinsmann says, with chance of first title in 64 years

Coach says ‘confidence is there because we came through difficult games’ as they take on Jordan in Tuesday’s first semi-final in Qatar.

Son says ‘no excuses’ in Asian Cup quest after South Korea sneak past Australia

Spurs forward shrugs off talk of fatigue after his extra-time winner sent his team into the last four, having needed a 96th-minute equaliser to keep their hopes alive.

Video gaming

Hong Kong gamers forced out of eAsian Cup after China left off team name

Officials say gaming platform Konami’s eFootball 2024 was unable to display the name ‘Hong Kong, China’, so the team withdrew from the competition.

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The AFC eAsian Cup gets under way in Qatar on Thursday. Hong Kong were expected to be among the 20 teams involved in the competition. Photo: AFC
Uzbekistan

Iran survive penalty drama to book last eight Asian Cup clash with Japan

Iran play last 30 minutes against Syria with 10 men, but hold on to win 5-3 on penalties.

Iran players celebrate after beating Syria on penalties in the last 16 of the Asian Cup. Photo: AP
Uzbekistan

Mancini sorry for disappearing during Saudi Arabi Asian Cup loss to South Korea

Saudi Arabia manager Roberto Mancini says he left before Hwang Hee-chan’s winning kick in penalty shoot-out because he thought game was already over.

Uzbekistan

Asian Cup: Qatar end Palestine’s run, Jordan stun Iraq in with last-gasp winner

Palestine were playing in the knockout rounds of the tournament for the first time after beating Hong Kong 3-0 in the group stage.

Croatia

Minnows Tajikistan stun UAE to reach quarter-finals of Asian Cup

Side ranked 106th in the world and playing in continental competition for first time win penalty shootout 5-3. Australia cruise past Indonesia into last eight.

Tajikistan’s Rustam Soirov and some teammates celebrate after beating the United Arab Emirates in the last 16 of the Asian Cup. Photo: AFP
The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Mainland China transfers help Hong Kong, boss says as he mulls who’ll face Messi

‘It is a Hong Kong player in a better league, which is positive,’ coach Jorn Andersen says after Matt Orr joins Sichuan Jiuniu – and he explains make-up of squad for friendly against Inter Miami.

Hong Kong’s Matt Orr in action during his side’s friendly against Saudi Arabia in Qatar. Photo: HKFA
The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong’s Wu says players must push to combat domestic dip after Asian Cup

Wu Chun-ming, one of the stand-out performers of city side’s Asian Cup campaign, says it is imperative players maintain their fitness levels when they return to club comfort zones.

Kyrgyzstan

South Korea avoid Japan clash in Asian Cup last 16, Indonesia sneak in

South Korea’s draw with Malaysia sets up knockout clash with Saudi Arabia, with Japan facing Group E winners Bahrain.

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