J. League clubs throw support behind summer start to season
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/202 ... ason-move/
A majority of J. League clubs supported the introduction of an August start to the Japanese soccer season from the 2026-2027 season, with 52 of 60 from the first to third divisions on Thursday approving the move.
At a meeting in Tokyo, only one club opposed the proposed change that would bring the league in line with top competitions in Europe, while seven said the debate should continue for several more months. The J. League season currently kicks off in February.
The J. League is scheduled to make a final decision at next Tuesday's board meeting.
There have been calls for a shift to a summer start following the reformatting of the Asian Champions League, which moved its start to September from this season.
Running the season in parallel with Europe will also likely see more transfers between the J. League and the world's top leagues.
"There are still many issues that need to be resolved," senior J. League official Junya Higuchi said.
The issues include improving facilities for clubs based in areas that experience heavy snowfall during the winter months.
Leagues from other continents
MLS withdraws first teams from U.S. Open Cup
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/ ... y-reserves
Major League Soccer will not send its first teams to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2024, instead opting to enter teams from MLS Next Pro, the league's 2-year-old development league, to participate in the country's oldest soccer tournament, the league announced Friday.
The decision comes after MLS commissioner Don Garber criticized the state of the tournament during the open session of the U.S. Soccer Federation board of directors meeting in May, calling it "a very poor reflection on what it is that we're trying to do with soccer at the highest level."
Garber addressed those comments during his state of the league address before MLS Cup last week and expanded on the league's relationship with the tournament.
"I made those comments because I believe that if we're going to have our professional teams competing in a tournament that is the oldest tournament of its type anywhere in the country, we all need to embrace it," Garber said. "From our federation to our respective leagues, and give it the profile and give it the support that it needs.
"If we can't do that, then we all should be together and decide that there needs to be a new plan."
U.S. Soccer said it was "currently reviewing" MLS' decision.
"Major League Soccer notified U.S. Soccer today of their Board of Governors vote regarding the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup," USSF said in a statement. "Our staff is currently reviewing.
"U.S. Soccer and our Members remain committed to the success of the historic U.S. Open Cup and look forward to engaging with all our stakeholders on the future of the tournament."
The decision took into account negative feedback from the club level about fixture congestion, especially after MLS introduced an expanded Leagues Cup competition with Liga MX last year. There has been a growing sentiment around the league that the Open Cup's prestige has diminished, despite its long history.
"In recent months, the MLS sporting and competition group has been collaborating with U.S. Soccer to shape the future role of MLS teams in the Open Cup," the league said in a statement. "MLS remains committed to working with the federation to evolve and elevate the Open Cup for everyone involved in the years ahead."
A determination about the league's future involvement will be made after the 2024 season, according to an MLS spokesperson.
The single-elimination tournament, which was founded in 1914, provided the only meaningful competition between the country's first division and the rest of the American soccer ecosystem, which was especially notable given the country's lack of promotion and relegation.
For the United Soccer League, which fielded 36 professional teams between the USL Championship and USL League 1 in 2023, the Open Cup had served as an opportunity for its teams and players to test themselves against the best in the country.
In 2022, USL Championship team Sacramento Republic reached the Open Cup final, where it lost to MLS' Orlando City. The last non-MLS team to win the tournament was the Rochester Rhinos in 1999.
"The MLS announcement today about the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was a surprise to us and contrary to recent public statements," USL president Paul McDonough said in a statement. "We will speak with U.S. Soccer, and with our owners, before making any further public comment about MLS's position."
The winner of the Open Cup has traditionally been awarded a place in the Concacaf Champions League -- now known as the Champions Cup -- but it is unclear how that might change in the wake of MLS' decision.
In recent years, some MLS teams had already opted out of fielding their strongest lineups, using the competition to give playing time to lesser-used first-team players, MLS Next Pro players and, in some cases, academy players. The deeper into the tournament teams got, the more likely they were to prioritize the competition.
First-team MLS players will not be allowed to join up with MLS Next Pro teams in the latter stages of next year's competition, however, an MLS spokesperson told ESPN.
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/ ... y-reserves
Major League Soccer will not send its first teams to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2024, instead opting to enter teams from MLS Next Pro, the league's 2-year-old development league, to participate in the country's oldest soccer tournament, the league announced Friday.
The decision comes after MLS commissioner Don Garber criticized the state of the tournament during the open session of the U.S. Soccer Federation board of directors meeting in May, calling it "a very poor reflection on what it is that we're trying to do with soccer at the highest level."
Garber addressed those comments during his state of the league address before MLS Cup last week and expanded on the league's relationship with the tournament.
"I made those comments because I believe that if we're going to have our professional teams competing in a tournament that is the oldest tournament of its type anywhere in the country, we all need to embrace it," Garber said. "From our federation to our respective leagues, and give it the profile and give it the support that it needs.
"If we can't do that, then we all should be together and decide that there needs to be a new plan."
U.S. Soccer said it was "currently reviewing" MLS' decision.
"Major League Soccer notified U.S. Soccer today of their Board of Governors vote regarding the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup," USSF said in a statement. "Our staff is currently reviewing.
"U.S. Soccer and our Members remain committed to the success of the historic U.S. Open Cup and look forward to engaging with all our stakeholders on the future of the tournament."
The decision took into account negative feedback from the club level about fixture congestion, especially after MLS introduced an expanded Leagues Cup competition with Liga MX last year. There has been a growing sentiment around the league that the Open Cup's prestige has diminished, despite its long history.
"In recent months, the MLS sporting and competition group has been collaborating with U.S. Soccer to shape the future role of MLS teams in the Open Cup," the league said in a statement. "MLS remains committed to working with the federation to evolve and elevate the Open Cup for everyone involved in the years ahead."
A determination about the league's future involvement will be made after the 2024 season, according to an MLS spokesperson.
The single-elimination tournament, which was founded in 1914, provided the only meaningful competition between the country's first division and the rest of the American soccer ecosystem, which was especially notable given the country's lack of promotion and relegation.
For the United Soccer League, which fielded 36 professional teams between the USL Championship and USL League 1 in 2023, the Open Cup had served as an opportunity for its teams and players to test themselves against the best in the country.
In 2022, USL Championship team Sacramento Republic reached the Open Cup final, where it lost to MLS' Orlando City. The last non-MLS team to win the tournament was the Rochester Rhinos in 1999.
"The MLS announcement today about the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was a surprise to us and contrary to recent public statements," USL president Paul McDonough said in a statement. "We will speak with U.S. Soccer, and with our owners, before making any further public comment about MLS's position."
The winner of the Open Cup has traditionally been awarded a place in the Concacaf Champions League -- now known as the Champions Cup -- but it is unclear how that might change in the wake of MLS' decision.
In recent years, some MLS teams had already opted out of fielding their strongest lineups, using the competition to give playing time to lesser-used first-team players, MLS Next Pro players and, in some cases, academy players. The deeper into the tournament teams got, the more likely they were to prioritize the competition.
First-team MLS players will not be allowed to join up with MLS Next Pro teams in the latter stages of next year's competition, however, an MLS spokesperson told ESPN.
Final:amenina wrote: ↑Mon Dec 11, 2023 06:21Semi-finals:
Godoy Cruz 1-1 (5-6 p) Platense
River Plate 0-0 (0-2 p) Rosario Central
Final:
Platense-Rosario Central
The abysmal penalty shoot-out record of River Plate continues. They have now lost 5 penalty shoot-outs in the last 3 seasons, twice in Copa Argentina, twice in Copa de la Liga Profesional, and once in Copa Libertadores. While they are the dominant team of Argentina and one of the best in South America, this really diminishes their chances in cup competitions. Contrast this with Boca Juniors, who are a mediocre team but are great at penalty shoot-outs so seems to always go deep in cup tournaments (although their luck eventually ran out this year and failed to qualify for Copa Libertadores next season).
Rosario Central 1-0 Platense
Rosario Central won their first Copa de la Liga Profesional.
And in the first edition of the Bolivian league cup, Copa de la División Profesional, the first leg of the final finished Jorge Wilstermann 1–2 Bolívar. The second leg will be on Monday.
Since Miguel Ángel Russo sat on the bench, the Rosario has lost few games and has made a great progress...
I hope they can embark on a nice winning path
I hope they can embark on a nice winning path
The second leg finished 1-1, so it went to penalties, and LDU Quito won 3-0 in the shootout to capture their 12th league title, first since 2018, to finish a very successful year where they also won the Copa Sudamericana.
In Mexico, America won the Apertura, beating Tigres UANL at home in the final second leg 3-0 after extra time, following a 1-1 away draw in the first leg. America won their record-extending 14th league title, two more than their biggest rivals Chivas Guadalajara. Rather surprisingly, neither of the two biggest Mexican clubs have won the title recently, even though like many of the domestic leagues in the CONCACAF region, there are two titles awarded in each season. The last title of America before today was the 2018 Apertura, and right before that in the 2017 Clausura Chivas won their last title.
As finalists of the 2023 Apertura, both America and Tigres qualified for the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
As finalists of the 2023 Apertura, both America and Tigres qualified for the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Bolivar won the Copa de la División Profesional title after also winning the second leg 1-0.
So this concluded South American club football for 2023!
ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Binh Duong go top; Bangkok extend lead
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... _lead.html
Central & South Asian Wrap: Sepahan close in on Esteghlal
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... ghlal.html
Ravshan finished 2nd in the Tajikistan league, and qualified for the play-offs of AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2), since Istiklol won both the league and cup.
West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal surge; Al Wasl and Kuwait SC stay sharp
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... sharp.html
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... _lead.html
Central & South Asian Wrap: Sepahan close in on Esteghlal
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... ghlal.html
Ravshan finished 2nd in the Tajikistan league, and qualified for the play-offs of AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2), since Istiklol won both the league and cup.
West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal surge; Al Wasl and Kuwait SC stay sharp
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... sharp.html
After today's J.League meeting, it is also decided to change the qualification system for AFC club competitions starting from the 2025/26 season, such that the league top three will be nominated to participate in the first-tier AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE), and the cup winners will be nominated to the second-tier AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2): https://www.jleague.jp/news/article/26794/amenina wrote: ↑Mon Nov 13, 2023 06:57SAFF approves mechanism for participation of Saudi clubs in AFC competitionsamenina wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2023 18:22 Each association can now submit their own set of competitions (leagues and/or cups) which will determine their list of teams competing in AFC club competitions, with the only restriction being that the league champions will be the #1 nominated team. This is changed from the current entry restriction imposed by the AFC, where the order of nominated teams must be: league champions, cup winners, league runners-up, league 3rd place (of course the list of nominated teams must obey sporting integrity of the competitions).
https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/636064
Saudi Arabia are the first country (as far as I know) to adopt changes to the qualification mechanism for AFC club competitions for the 2024/25 season. Instead of nominating the league top two and the cup winner to the first-tier AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE), they will now nominate the league top three to ACLE, while the cup winner will be nominated to the second-tier AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2).
Given that nowadays AFC appears to be a “subsidiary” of the Saudi league (their webpage and social media accounts regularly reports their results but not the other Asian leagues), or more specifically the big four PIF clubs, you get the feeling that the AFC made the regulation changes in the first place because the Saudi clubs requested them.
So, assuming neither the title holders of ACLE and ACL2 are from Japan, the following teams will qualify for the 2025/26 AFC club competitions.
ACLE:
Japan 1: Champions of 2024 J1 League (league stage)
Japan 2: Runners-up of 2024 J1 League (league stage)
Japan 3: 3rd-placed team of 2024 J1 League (league stage or play-offs, depending on whether Japan finish 1st or 2nd in the East Region ranking at the end of the 2023/24 AFC club season)
ACL2:
Japan 4: Winners of 2024 Emperor's Cup, or 4th placed team of 2024 J1 League if cup winners are in top three (group stage)
With the format change, we will no longer see a lower-division team in Japan qualify for the first-tier AFC club competition after winning the Emperor's Cup. For example, for the ongoing 2023/24 AFC Champions League, Ventforet Kofu, which won the 2022 Emperor's Cup and are currently playing in the second division J2 League, were able to reach the round of 16 of the competition.
So we are more and more seeing ACLE becoming similar to the UEFA Champions League, and ACL2 becoming similar to the UEFA Europa League (cup winners will enter here if they do not qualify for ACLE), and expect other top leagues (such as Korea Republic) to debate whether they will apply similar changes to their qualification system.
For the entry regulations, see the AFC document: https://assets.the-afc.com/downloads/mi ... -2023).pdf
Today, the Maldives league concluded with Maziya defeating Eagles in the last match to win the title, their 5th overall and 4th consecutive. They qualified for the play-offs of the 2024/25 AFC Challenge League. I think this is the last league title to be decided in Asia in 2023.amenina wrote: ↑Tue Dec 19, 2023 05:18 ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Binh Duong go top; Bangkok extend lead
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... _lead.html
Central & South Asian Wrap: Sepahan close in on Esteghlal
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... ghlal.html
Ravshan finished 2nd in the Tajikistan league, and qualified for the play-offs of AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2), since Istiklol won both the league and cup.
West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal surge; Al Wasl and Kuwait SC stay sharp
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... sharp.html
And of course, you may ask, what about DPR Korea? Is there a league going on there? The answer is yes. You can find football news on their domestic competitions by searching the articles published in various DPR Korea news outlets (https://kcnawatch.org/). According to the published reports, here are the winners of the various domestic competitions in 2023.
DPRK Premier Football League: April 25
https://kcnawatch.org/newstream/1697678 ... -finished/
League Cup (contested by top five of league April 25, Ryomyong, Amnokgang, Sobaeksu and Sonbong): Sobaeksu
https://kcnawatch.org/newstream/1700982 ... attention/
DPRK Championships (a multi-sport event): Amnokgang
https://kcnawatch.org/newstream/1697503 ... es-finish/
Hwaebul Cup (also known as Torch Cup): Amnokgang
https://kcnawatch.org/newstream/1693354 ... -finished/
Spring National Sports Festival (another multi-sport event): April 25
https://kcnawatch.org/newstream/1683965 ... ival-ends/
We don't know if clubs from DPR Korea will return from their exile to participate in the 2024/25 AFC club competitions or not. They are allocated 1 slot in the play-offs of AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2), and one slot in the play-offs of the AFC Challenge League (ACGL). If they do participate, the league champions April 25 should play in ACL2, while either the league runners-up Ryomyong or one of the "cup" winners Amnokgang or Sobaeksu should play in ACGL.
And the 2023/24 season started earlier this month according to news report: https://kcnawatch.org/newstream/1702980 ... ue-starts/
2023-2024 DPRK Premier League starts
Date: 19/12/2023 | Source: Pyongyang Times | Read original version at source: http://www.pyongyangtimes.com.kp/blog?p ... 05a955028b (with pictures!)
The 2023-2024 DPRK Premier League started on December 4 amid the expectations and interest of football experts and fans.
The April 25, Ryomyong, Sobaeksu, Amnokgang, Kigwancha, Wolmido, Rimyongsu and other teams will compete in the league matches, which will be held divided into three rounds.
That day, the Hwaeppul team clashed with the Pyongyang team in a first-round match at Kim Il Sung Stadium and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. In the matches between the Sonbong and Rimyongsu teams and between the Kigwancha and Jebi teams, the Sonbong and Kigwancha teams respectively defeated their opponents 2-0 and 5-2.
amenina wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 08:28 MLS withdraws first teams from U.S. Open Cup
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/ ... y-reserves
Major League Soccer will not send its first teams to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2024, instead opting to enter teams from MLS Next Pro, the league's 2-year-old development league, to participate in the country's oldest soccer tournament, the league announced Friday.
The decision comes after MLS commissioner Don Garber criticized the state of the tournament during the open session of the U.S. Soccer Federation board of directors meeting in May, calling it "a very poor reflection on what it is that we're trying to do with soccer at the highest level."
Garber addressed those comments during his state of the league address before MLS Cup last week and expanded on the league's relationship with the tournament.
"I made those comments because I believe that if we're going to have our professional teams competing in a tournament that is the oldest tournament of its type anywhere in the country, we all need to embrace it," Garber said. "From our federation to our respective leagues, and give it the profile and give it the support that it needs.
"If we can't do that, then we all should be together and decide that there needs to be a new plan."
U.S. Soccer said it was "currently reviewing" MLS' decision.
"Major League Soccer notified U.S. Soccer today of their Board of Governors vote regarding the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup," USSF said in a statement. "Our staff is currently reviewing.
"U.S. Soccer and our Members remain committed to the success of the historic U.S. Open Cup and look forward to engaging with all our stakeholders on the future of the tournament."
The decision took into account negative feedback from the club level about fixture congestion, especially after MLS introduced an expanded Leagues Cup competition with Liga MX last year. There has been a growing sentiment around the league that the Open Cup's prestige has diminished, despite its long history.
"In recent months, the MLS sporting and competition group has been collaborating with U.S. Soccer to shape the future role of MLS teams in the Open Cup," the league said in a statement. "MLS remains committed to working with the federation to evolve and elevate the Open Cup for everyone involved in the years ahead."
A determination about the league's future involvement will be made after the 2024 season, according to an MLS spokesperson.
The single-elimination tournament, which was founded in 1914, provided the only meaningful competition between the country's first division and the rest of the American soccer ecosystem, which was especially notable given the country's lack of promotion and relegation.
For the United Soccer League, which fielded 36 professional teams between the USL Championship and USL League 1 in 2023, the Open Cup had served as an opportunity for its teams and players to test themselves against the best in the country.
In 2022, USL Championship team Sacramento Republic reached the Open Cup final, where it lost to MLS' Orlando City. The last non-MLS team to win the tournament was the Rochester Rhinos in 1999.
"The MLS announcement today about the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was a surprise to us and contrary to recent public statements," USL president Paul McDonough said in a statement. "We will speak with U.S. Soccer, and with our owners, before making any further public comment about MLS's position."
The winner of the Open Cup has traditionally been awarded a place in the Concacaf Champions League -- now known as the Champions Cup -- but it is unclear how that might change in the wake of MLS' decision.
In recent years, some MLS teams had already opted out of fielding their strongest lineups, using the competition to give playing time to lesser-used first-team players, MLS Next Pro players and, in some cases, academy players. The deeper into the tournament teams got, the more likely they were to prioritize the competition.
First-team MLS players will not be allowed to join up with MLS Next Pro teams in the latter stages of next year's competition, however, an MLS spokesperson told ESPN.
-
rpo.castro
- Senior Member
- Posts: 4082
- Joined: Fri Apr 26, 2019 17:39
- Location: Braga, Portugal
Juan Román Riquelme was elected Boca Juniors president. 46.000 people voted (2nd most participated football election after Barcelona 2010).
He defeated Ibarra who was supported by the new Argentinian President Milei and also by the candidate defeated by him in last elections, Macri.
He defeated Ibarra who was supported by the new Argentinian President Milei and also by the candidate defeated by him in last elections, Macri.
ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Phoenix rise to the top; Top two stumble in Thailand
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... iland.html
Central & South Asian Wrap: Arkadag lift Turkmenistan Cup
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... n_cup.html
Arkadag, in their first season of existence, won both the Turkmenistan league and cup with a 100% record (24 matches in league, 6 matches in cup). As a result, Altyn Asyr, who will finish as league 2nd place, qualified for the third-tier AFC Challenge League (ACGL), assuming Arkadag can enter the play-offs of the second-tier AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2). If Arkadag cannot enter due to the 2-year rule, Altyn Asyr will enter ACL2, and whoever finish as league 3rd place (Nebitci or Ahal) will qualify for ACGL.
West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal firmly in charge; Al Sadd tighten grip
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... grip_.html
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... iland.html
Central & South Asian Wrap: Arkadag lift Turkmenistan Cup
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... n_cup.html
Arkadag, in their first season of existence, won both the Turkmenistan league and cup with a 100% record (24 matches in league, 6 matches in cup). As a result, Altyn Asyr, who will finish as league 2nd place, qualified for the third-tier AFC Challenge League (ACGL), assuming Arkadag can enter the play-offs of the second-tier AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2). If Arkadag cannot enter due to the 2-year rule, Altyn Asyr will enter ACL2, and whoever finish as league 3rd place (Nebitci or Ahal) will qualify for ACGL.
West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal firmly in charge; Al Sadd tighten grip
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... grip_.html