Kolkata: Regional supremacy and Continental glory will be on the line for clubs throughout Asia when the AFC Cup 2022 Group Stage commences on Wednesday (May 18). Held in a series of centralised hubs, the South and West Zones of the competition will kick off the 2022 edition, with the Central, East, and ASEAN Zones to follow suit from June 24 to 30.The AFC Cup 2022 will feature a total of 38 teams spread across 10 groups, all competing to lift the coveted club crown in the eagerly-anticipated Final on October 22.The Group Stage action begins in Kolkata, where local and Group D contenders ATK Mohun Bagan FC will face Gokulam Kerala FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium before Maziya Sports &amp; Recreation of the Maldives take on Bangladesh Premier League champions Bashundhara Kings at the same venue four hours later.In the traditionally strong West Zone, the Muscat-based Group A will ‘ee Oman’s Al Seeb Club open their campaign against Jableh of Syria at the Al-Seeb Stadium before’Lebanon’s Al Ansar battle Kuwait SC later in the night. Meanwhile, the Group B, located in Kuwait City, will pit hosts Arabi SC again’t Bahrain’s Al Riffa at the Kuwait Sports Club Stadium in the evening before Shabab Al Khalil of Palestine face off against Dhofar Club of Oman at the same venue later in the night, according to a release issued by the Asian Football Confederation.Group C, based in Bahrain, will see a captivating opener between Tishreen of Syria and Palestinian club Hilal Alquds at the Al Muharraq Stadium at 6pm before hosts East Riffa, who will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of their compatriots and 2021 champions Muharraq Club, take on Nejmeh SC from Lebanon at 10pm.Dushanbe and Bishkek will host Groups E and F respectively when the Central Zone kicks off on June 24, while Bali United FC, Kuala Lumpur City FC and Viettel FC will all enjoy home advantage in their respective ASEAN Zone groups, with’the East Zone’s Group J to be held on neutral territory in Buriram, Thailand.In addition to the chance to claim Continental glory, there is substantial prize money on offer in the AFC Cup 2022, with the winners getting USD 1.5million, while the runners-up take home USD750,000. Held for the first time in 2004, the AFC Cup has provided access to top-level competition for clubs from throughout the Continent and consistently produced thrilling action, with teams from seven different nations lifting the trophy since 2010.—IANS

 Regional supremacy and Continental glory will be on the line for clubs throughout Asia when the AFC Cup 2022 Group Stage commences on Wednesday (May 18).

 AFC Cup 2022: Mohun Bagan, Gokulum kick-off battle for Continental glory

Football

Bhubaneswar: Hans Women Football Club were at the end of yet another humbling defeat in the ongoing Indian Women's League as they lost to Sirvodem Sports Club by a 4-0 scoreline at the Kalinga Stadium on Saturday.Goals from Aleena, Jyoti, Sharda, and Sanfida ensured a second win of the campaign for SSC while inflicting an eighth successive defeat to WFC. Hans started the game brightly and it looked like the proceedings were evenly poised. However, SSC quickly took control of the match through Aleena's opener. The lead was doubled by a precise finish by Jyoti who came close to scoring the third as well. Just as the first half was coming to an end, SSC scored two quickfire goals to take a commanding four-goal lead. Sharda scored a fabulous free-kick for the third while Sanfida scored seconds before the referee's whistle to make it 4-0 in favour of her team. As for Hans Women FC, they had only one attempt on goal from Muskan Khan.The second half saw Hans fire on all cylinders once again. They pushed for their opening goal of the match with an aim to reduce the deficit. Asha Thapa had room to take a shot five minutes past the hour mark. The attacker, however, sent her shot into the stands, failing to hit the target. Later, SSC looked to have scored the fifth but the referee disallowed the goal owing to a player being offside in the build-up.The final quarter of the match saw a more even contest with SSC creating marginally better chances. Five minutes were added for stoppages at the end of the regulation period but neither team managed to find the back of the net during that time. The game finished without any goals in the second half. In their next Indian Women's League outing, Sirvodem Sports Club has a meeting with Gokulam Kerala FC at the 7th Batallion ground on Tuesday while Hans Women Football Club will face high-flying Sports Odisha at the same venue on Wednesday.—ANI

Hans Women Football Club were at the end of yet another humbling defeat in the ongoing Indian Women's League as they lost to Sirvodem Sports Club by a 4-0 scoreline at the Kalinga Stadium on Saturday.

IWL: Sirvodem SC defeat Hans Women FC by 4 goals

Beijing: The 2023 Asian Cup football tournament will be relocated from China to a new host, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the tournament's Local Organising Committee announced on Saturday."Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese Organising Committee cannot pledge at this moment to hold next year's Asian Cup competition under a fully open model. After negotiations between the AFC, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) and the Local Organising Committee, a joint decision has been made to remove the 2023 Asian Cup from China to a new host which is to be confirmed soon," read a statement published by the Chinese Organising Committee."The Organising Committee hereby expresses sincere gratitude to the AFC, all host cities and the whole society for their great support during the tournament's preparations," the statement added, reports Xinhua. The AFC said in a separate statement that it appreciates that China, the CFA and the Local Organising Committee have made "this very difficult but necessary decision in the collective interests of the AFC Asian Cup 2023, which has also provided the AFC the required time to assess the situation regarding the hosting of the AFC Asian Cup 2023."The AFC worked closely with the CFA and the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Local Organising Committee during the preparations and several milestones were achieved, including the launch of the tournament logo and the unveiling of the newly-completed Shanghai Pudong Football Stadium last year," the Asian football governing body added. Details about the next steps related to the hosting of the Asian Cup will be announced in due course, the AFC said.China was awarded the hosting right of the 2023 Asian Cup in June 2019. The 24-team competition was scheduled to be hosted across 10 Chinese cities.—IANS

 The 2023 Asian Cup football tournament will be relocated from China to a new host, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the tournament's Local Organising Committee announced on Saturday.

2023 AFC Asian Cup to be relocated from China

New Delhi: Three days after officially confirming their availability to play a friendly match against India, the Football Association of Zambia in a letter to Indian Football has informed that they “regret” they won’t be able to play the friendly match against India in Doha which was supposed to be held on June 25.‘We regret to inform you that our efforts to secure our professional players for the friendly against India that was scheduled for 25th May 2022 against India has proved futile. Most of the players’ season-ending matches are close to the scheduled date making it practically impossible to join the camp,’ General Secretary Adrian Kashala wrote to the AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das.It was earlier on May 9 that the Zambia FA had officially confirmed their participation in the match which was supposed to be played in Doha on June 25.“However, the Football Association of Zambia wishes to thank you for your positive response, and support and we appreciate the relationship built with your Association. We look forward to engaging you in future-friendly matches,” the letter further stated.The Blue Tigers have been camping since April 24, 2022 – first in Bellary, and currently in Kolkata where the National squad will also be playing two more friendly matches – one against a combined All-Star XI from the I-League, and the other with the Bengal Santosh Trophy contingent. The Blue Tigers have already played ATK Mohun Bagan in another friendly match on May 11.The AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Qualifiers Final Round will be held across three match days on June 8, 11 and 14 in 2022, with the group winners and the best 5 second-placed teams earning a ticket to the Asian Cup in China which is slated to kick-off on June 16, 2023.—ANI

 Three days after officially confirming their availability to play a friendly match against India, the Football Association of Zambia in a letter to Indian Football has informed that they “regret” they won’t be able to play the friendly match against India in Doha which was supposed to be held on June 25.

Zambia FA calls off friendly match with India due to non-availability of players

Goa: India captain Sunil Chhetri lauded the Reliance Foundation Development League for creating a much-needed platform for the next generation of footballers in the country to graduate to the next level."There are so many players, especially youngsters, who do not get enough chances. Some of them when they do get it, they make the most out of it. Reliance Foundation Development League is the right step forward in the right direction. So many players of different teams who did not get enough chances in the ISL, played and are playing here. They can also look forward to playing 90 minutes in a competitive tournament," Chhetri, the Indian football icon and inspiration for budding footballers said.The first-ever RFDL saw seven Indian Super League clubs and Reliance Foundation Young Champs compete for the top honours, with the top two teams getting a chance to participate in the NextGen Cup to be held in the UK. On Thursday, Bengaluru FC became the champions as Kerala Blasters FC finished runners-up, meaning both teams will participate in the NextGen Cup.The talismanic Chhetri thanked Reliance Foundation for investing in the first-ever Development League, saying they have done what was really needed."Congratulations, Reliance Foundation for doing what was really needed," added the Bengaluru FC skipper.Meanwhile, Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic heaped praise on the organisation of the RFDL, saying such competition will only help Indian football in the 'global picture'."I have always said that investing in youth development is the right way. Investing in youth will bring progress to Indian football," said Vukomanovic in a message."The Reliance Foundation Development League is a great thing, especially for the young boys to show their qualities, to compete and from my side I would like to congratulate all these people organising and developing that league. That is the way it will help Indian youth and actually later on Indian football in the global picture," added the Serbian who helped Kerala reach the final of the 2021-22 season.Vukomanovic, who recently extended his stay at the club till 2025, added that the reserve side has proved their mettle in the RFDL and he is happy seeing their progress."It is indeed delightful to see our boys in KBFC doing so well. It was great for all of our youngsters to show everyone they have the potential and talent to participate at a higher level," Vukomanovic added.—ANI

 India captain Sunil Chhetri lauded the Reliance Foundation Development League for creating a much-needed platform for the next generation of footballers in the country to graduate to the next level.