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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.

last updated:

9 September, 2024

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

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.

11 Dec 2024 - 8:22PM

Chinese Football Association (CFA)

China promise aggressive approach in vital World Cup qualifier against Thailand

6 Jun 2024 - 4:40PM

Indonesia

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

21 May 2024 - 8:08PM

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.

29 Mar 2024 - 11:38AM

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.

11 Mar 2024 - 3:30PM

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.

16 Feb 2024 - 2:01PM

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.

15 Feb 2024 - 4:20PM

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.

15 Feb 2024 - 12:23PM

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.

11 Feb 2024 - 12:23PM

‘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.

10 Feb 2024 - 12:00PM

Jordan players celebrate after reaching the Asian Cup final. Photo: Reuters

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.

9 Feb 2024 - 7:00PM

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.

8 Feb 2024 - 9:57AM

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.

7 Feb 2024 - 9:48AM

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

7 Feb 2024 - 9:34AM

South Korea’s head coach Jurgen Klinsmann looks on during his side’s Asian Cup semi-final match against Jordan. Photo: EPA-EFE

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

7 Feb 2024 - 6:30AM

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.

6 Feb 2024 - 4:26PM

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.

3 Feb 2024 - 12:26PM

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.

1 Feb 2024 - 8:58PM

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.

1 Feb 2024 - 10:02AM

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.

31 Jan 2024 - 9:42AM

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.

30 Jan 2024 - 9:30AM

Qatar’s Akram Afif celebrates after scoring his team’s winner against Palestine. Photo: AP

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.

29 Jan 2024 - 5:18PM

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.

28 Jan 2024 - 10:55PM

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.

27 Jan 2024 - 6:26PM

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.

26 Jan 2024 - 9:48AM

Malaysia’s Romel Morales celebrates scoring a late equaliser against South Korea. Photo: Xinhua

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong likely to squander legacy of Asian Cup, goalkeeper Yapp says

The city’s stirring Asian Cup performances will go to waste unless there is a major shift in attitude towards sport, veteran goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai says.

25 Jan 2024 - 7:00PM

Goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai fears Hong Kong football will gain no lasting benefits from the national team’s exploits in Qatar. Photo: Reuters

Head coach Moriyasu urges Japan to improve in time for key Asian Cup clashes

Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu hails improvements in Indonesia victory, but warns long way to go to compete with Asian heavyweights in Qatar.

25 Jan 2024 - 12:00PM

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

‘I would die for Hong Kong team’ – cheers and tears as city’s Asian Cup run ends

An emotional Yue Tze-nam says he wants to ‘play for this team for the next 10 years’ after Asian Cup displays show Hong Kong’s rising aspirations, while travelling supporters chant ‘stay’ at coach Jorn Andersen.

24 Jan 2024 - 7:17PM

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