Latest news with #AFCChallengeLeague
Iraqi News
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Iraqi News
AFC names four Iraqi clubs eligible for 2025-26 Asian competitions
Baghdad ( – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Wednesday (June 11, 2025) officially announced the four Iraqi clubs that have successfully met the criteria for the AFC License, granting them eligibility to participate in continental club competitions for the 2025-2026 season. The four clubs that fulfilled all technical, administrative, and financial requirements are Al-Zawra'a, Al-Shorta, Al-Kahrabaa, and Zakho. Crucially, this means that only these four teams will be able to represent Iraq in next season's AFC tournaments, which include the AFC Champions League Elite, AFC Champions League 2, and the AFC Challenge League. Participation is exclusive to these licensed clubs, regardless of the final standings in the current 2024-2025 domestic Iraqi Stars League. Other clubs will not be eligible for continental spots even if they achieve high league positions. This announcement clarifies Iraq's representatives on the Asian stage for the upcoming season, highlighting the critical importance of the AFC's licensing system.
Arab Times
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait Club joins Challenge League Group stage; Al-Arabi to fight in play-off
KUWAIT CITY, June 10: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed that Kuwait Club will gain direct entry into the 2025–26 AFC Challenge League, taking part in the group stage from October 25 through November 1. Meanwhile, Al-Arabi has been granted a play-off spot to vie for a place in the same group stage. Its decisive fixture is slated for one of three possible dates—July 29, August 5, or August 12. Last season, Kuwait Club competed in the AFC Champions League 2 but finished bottom of its group and failed to progress, while Al-Arabi reached the semifinals of the AFC Challenge League before being eliminated.
Belfast Telegraph
04-06-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Son of former Ballinamallard United boss takes charge of Cambodian champions: ‘This is a huge moment in my career'
The 32-year-old, who is the son of former Ballinamallard United manager Harry, has been promoted from the role of assistant manager and has described the move as a 'huge moment in my career'. McConkey had previously coached at Under-20 level with Ballinamallard before taking his skills abroad. Now comes an opportunity to lead Svay Reing replacing Spaniard Pep Munoz who had been in charge for two years. McConkey knows the club well having been assistant boss since 2021, first working under Irishman Conor Nestor and then Nunez. Announced as the new man at the helm on Tuesday, McConkey said: 'When I was offered the position, I made up my mind in less than three seconds. 'This is a huge moment in my career. I'm grateful to the club and management for their trust, and I look forward to pushing together towards more success. Our goals are ambitious, and I'm ready to give everything to achieve them.' McConkey, who has a UEFA A Licence, takes over a side that have become used to success winning the Cambodian Premier League under Munoz in 2024 and 2025 This season Svay Reing made it to the final of the AFC Challenge League becoming the first from Cambodia to reach the decider of the Asian tournament's third-tier competition losing to FK Arkadag from Turkmenistan. McConkey, renowned for a strong work ethic, will aim to build on what went before having played a significant role in Svay Reing's recent triumphs as a number two. 'Many coaches aspire to lead a team like this. We can't be assistants forever,' said McConkey, a former pupil of Enniskillen Royal Grammar School. The Fermanagh man is not the first person from Northern Ireland to work with Svay Reing. Previously Belfast born Colum Curtis, who is the Sporting Director at Bangkok FC, was assistant boss at the club.
India Gazette
29-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Oscar Bruzon signs one-year extension with East Bengal FC
ANI 29 May 2025, 23:51 GMT+10 New Delhi [India], May 29 (ANI): Indian Super League (ISL) side East Bengal FC, on Thursday, announced that head coach Oscar Bruzon has signed a one-year contract extension, committing his future to the club until the end of the 2025-26 season. Under Bruzon's stewardship, the Red and Gold Brigade topped Group A and reached the quarter-finals of the inaugural AFC Challenge League last season, as per the ISL official website. Since taking charge midway through the season, the Spanish tactician led East Bengal to its highest points tally (28) in an ISL season, despite the club's poor start to the campaign. Fully supportive of Bruzon's vision, Vibhash Vardhan Agarwal of Emami Group said as quoted by the ISL website, 'Coach Oscar has brought a renewed sense of purpose to the team. His dedication to our vision of challenging for titles and ability to inspire both players and fans make him the ideal leader for our club's future.' Commenting on his extension, Bruzon said, 'I am thrilled to extend my journey with East Bengal FC for the upcoming season. While the previous season presented challenges, particularly after a slow start, we have collectively learned from those experiences and are now fully focused on reigniting the winning mentality that defines this great club. Our loyal supporters deserve nothing less than a team that reflects their passion, resilience and unwavering belief in East Bengal's legacy.' (ANI)
Arab Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Al-Arabi battles Al-Sulaibikhat as Amir Cup preliminary round concludes
KUWAIT CITY, May 22: The preliminary round of the Amir Cup concludes this evening with a rescheduled encounter between Al-Arabi and Al-Sulaibikhat, set to kick off at 7:10 pm at Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium. Originally slated for last April, the match was postponed due to Al-Arabi's involvement in the AFC Challenge League semi-finals. Tonight's match holds critical importance for Al-Arabi, who aim to turn the page on a difficult stretch that saw it miss out on two major titles within just eight days. It lost its chance at the Zain Premier League crown after a 2-1 defeat to Kuwait Club in the decisive round on May 11, followed by a narrow loss in the Crown Prince Cup final to Al-Abyad on Monday. The "Green" side enters the match not just seeking victory, but a fresh start. The team hopes to restore confidence, regain momentum, and launch a serious campaign in Kuwait's most prestigious knockout competition, now its last remaining opportunity for silverware this season. On the other side, Al-Sulaibikhat will be hoping to cause an upset and capitalize on Al-Arabi's recent misfortunes. However, its task is formidable. Al-Sulaibikhat recently missed out on promotion to the Zain Premier League after being held to a 1-1 draw by Al-Jahra in the final round of the Zain First Division League. It needed a win to secure promotion, but the result left it in third place, with Al-Shabab advancing instead. In another rescheduled fixture, Al-Qadsia secured a hard-fought 3-2 win over Burgan, booking a spot in the Amir Cup quarterfinals where it will face Al-Fahaheel this Sunday. Under the watchful eye of Syrian coach Firas Al-Khatib, the 'Yellows' looked in full control after racing to a 3-0 lead, courtesy of goals from Khaled Sabah (19'), Bader Al-Mutawa (22'), and Ismail Khafi (61'). But Burqan mounted a fierce comeback, with Hamoud Al-Sahli scoring twice (63' and 77') to narrow the gap and apply late pressure. Al-Qadsia nearly paid the price for its defensive complacency, but held on until the final whistle to seal the win. A moment of concern for Al-Qadsia came early in the match when defender Khaled Ibrahim collided with Burgan's Isaac James. Ibrahim was taken to the hospital, underwent medical tests, and has since been cleared to play in Sunday's quarterfinal.
