AFC moves Women's Asian Cup qualifiers from Jordan to Qatar
WOMEN'S Asian Cup qualifiers originally starting next week in Jordan have been moved to Qatar because of the 'ongoing situation' in the Middle East, football officials said Friday.
Tensions have escalated in the region after Israel and Iran intensified air strikes against each other, with the conflict risking the involvement of the United States.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said that matches in qualifying Group A scheduled June 23-July 5 in the Jordanian capital Amman have been moved to Qatar and will now take place July 7-19.
'More details on the venue and match timings will be confirmed in due course,' the AFC said in a statement.
Jordan, Singapore, Iran, Lebanon and Bhutan are in Group A qualifying for the Women's Asian Cup in Australia in March 2026.
The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) said separately that the move was due to the 'ongoing situation in the region and logistical concerns raised by' the participating teams.
There are eight qualifying groups with the winner of each booking a spot at the 2026 showpiece.
Hosts Australia, South Korea, Japan and holders China are already sure of their places.
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The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
AFC moves Women's Asian Cup qualifiers from Jordan to Qatar
WOMEN'S Asian Cup qualifiers originally starting next week in Jordan have been moved to Qatar because of the 'ongoing situation' in the Middle East, football officials said Friday. Tensions have escalated in the region after Israel and Iran intensified air strikes against each other, with the conflict risking the involvement of the United States. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said that matches in qualifying Group A scheduled June 23-July 5 in the Jordanian capital Amman have been moved to Qatar and will now take place July 7-19. 'More details on the venue and match timings will be confirmed in due course,' the AFC said in a statement. Jordan, Singapore, Iran, Lebanon and Bhutan are in Group A qualifying for the Women's Asian Cup in Australia in March 2026. The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) said separately that the move was due to the 'ongoing situation in the region and logistical concerns raised by' the participating teams. There are eight qualifying groups with the winner of each booking a spot at the 2026 showpiece. Hosts Australia, South Korea, Japan and holders China are already sure of their places.
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
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WOMEN'S Asian Cup qualifiers originally starting next week in Jordan have been moved to Qatar because of the 'ongoing situation' in the Middle East, football officials said Friday. Tensions have escalated in the region after Israel and Iran intensified air strikes against each other, with the conflict risking the involvement of the United States. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said that matches in qualifying Group A scheduled June 23-July 5 in the Jordanian capital Amman have been moved to Qatar and will now take place July 7-19. 'More details on the venue and match timings will be confirmed in due course,' the AFC said in a statement. Jordan, Singapore, Iran, Lebanon and Bhutan are in Group A qualifying for the Women's Asian Cup in Australia in March 2026. The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) said separately that the move was due to the 'ongoing situation in the region and logistical concerns raised by' the participating teams. There are eight qualifying groups with the winner of each booking a spot at the 2026 showpiece.
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Elavarasan takes charge of Kelantan Darul Naim
KUALA LUMPUR: Former national Under-23 coach E. Elavarasan and Muamer Salibasic have been tasked with reviving Kelantan Darul Naim's (KDN) fortunes as they prepare for the 2025-26 M-League season. Elavarasan brings a proven track record to the East Coast side. During his stint with Malaysia's Under-23 team, he guided them to the 2023 Merlion Cup title, a semi-final finish at the AFF Championship, and qualification for the 2024 Asian Cup as one of the best second-placed teams in the qualifiers. He stepped down from the role on Sept 18, 2023 to focus on assisting then-national coach Kim Pan Gon with the senior squad. His new partner in the KDN dugout, Bosnian-born Salibasic, holds a UEFA Pro Licence and has built a solid coaching reputation across Europe and the Middle East. The 41-year-old, who played for Sabah in the M-League in 2013, has recently coached clubs in Bosnia and Sweden. Former Kelantan FA president Tan Sri Annuar Musa confirmed the duo's appointments and praised KDN's ambition to restore footballing pride in the state. "Congratulations to the only team from Kelantan that will play in the 2025-26 season. Welcome to Elavarasan and Salibasic, who will work hand in hand to train Kelantan," Annuar said in a Facebook post. "Kelantan are serious about bringing back the glory of football." Annuar, who oversaw Kelantan's golden era from 2009 to 2016, played a major role in turning the Red Warriors into one of Malaysian football's most dominant forces. Under his leadership, Kelantan won two Super League titles, two FA Cups, and the Malaysia Cup, earning recognition as one of the best-run teams in the country. He was also a long-serving FAM executive committee member and chairman of the M-League team management committee. In his social media post, Annuar also revealed that KDN have strengthened their squad with the signing of several national players from Asean, Asia and Africa. "Some Asean, Asian and African national players have been roped in to shape Kelantan's new-look team. All the best to Kelantan," he said.
