Italy mourns loss of goalscoring giant Luigi Riva, 79
January 23 – Luigi Riva, Italy’s all-time national team leading goalscorer, has died aged 79.
Super sub Khribin sends Syria into last 16
January 23 – Former Asian player of the year Omar Khribin came off the bench to deservedly fire Syria past a committed India and secure an historic first ever qualification for the last 16 of the Asian Cup as one of the best third-placed teams after other results went in their favour.
Aussies and Uzbeks share points and passage into knockout rounds
January 23 – The points were shared as Group B leaders Australia faced second-place Uzbekistan at the Al Janoub Stadium, as Azizbek Turgunbaev cancelled out Martin Boyle’s controversial penalty with a towering header to send both teams through to the Round of 16.
Burnley and Dundee FC combine for cross-border player development alliance
January 23 – Premier League Burnley’s owners ALK Capital and Football Partners Scotland, owners of Dundee FC in the SPL, have agreed a player development partnership.
Asian Cup 2023 hits 1.5bn digital engagement mark after 10 days
January 23 – In the first 10 days of the Asian Cup Qatar 2023 the AFC is reporting that its digital channels have already smashed the record engagement numbers achieved at the 2019 finals in the UAE.
Palestine yearn for winner takes all win against Hong Kong
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
January 22 – Makram Daboub believes that his side can clinch their first-ever ticket to the round of sixteen against Hong Kong, sticking to the standard of play that brought Palestine a draw with the United Arab Emirates.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica will be battling to retain their elite Concacaf status as they compete for one of the two remaining slots at the Copa America 2024 against Honduras at the Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
Infantino says it is time for forfeits and criminalisation of racist fans after weekend incidents
January 22 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has called for the implementation of an automatic forfeit of games for teams whose fans commit racist abuse.
Debutants Tajikistan hit added time winner to beat Lebanon and head into last 16
January 22 – Tournament debutants Tajikistan defeated ten-man Lebanon 2-1 to book their passage to the round of 16 following a dramatic second-half comeback that culminated with Nuriddin Khamrokulov’s 92nd-minute winner.
Asian Cup heats up as smaller nations shake the region’s hierarchy
January 22- The second round of Asian Cup group games saw several pre-tournament favourites given a fright and appears to show that Arab teams are closing the gap on their more illustrious opponents.
Iran’s Ghalenoei says criticism unfair ahead of UAE group decider
January 22 – On the eve of Iran’s final group game with the United Arab Emirates, manager Amir Ghalenoei has lashed out at the criticism of his team’s performances and claimed that he has no issues with star striker Sardar Azmoun, who has not played a single minute in the tournament yet.
Qatar’s super subs Haidos and Afif condemn China to group exit
January 22 – Qatar cemented a flawless nine-point start to the Asian Cup following a tentative 1-0 victory over Group A hopefuls China, where two equal teams were separated by a moment of brilliance from Akram Afif and Hassan Al Haidos to claim all three points at the Khalifa Stadium.
Gabon FA chief still in post despite suspension recommendation, FIFA says case is ongoing
January 22 – FIFA has yet to act on an independent investigator’s recommendation in November that the president of the Gabonese football association (Fegafoot) should be immediately suspended.
Frustration boils over after AFCON favourites Morocco held by Congo
January 22 – World Cup semi-finalists Morocco will have to wait to clinch a place in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations after being held to a 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday.
Salah to get treatment in Liverpool but could head back to AFCON if Egypt make semis
January 22 – Mohamed Salah, arguably the highest profile player at the African Cup of Nations, is to return to Liverpool to receive treatment on a hamstring injury.