Asian Football Weekly – December 4-11

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Here are the top stories in the Asian football industry over the past week.

Qatar to participate in UEFA Qualifying Group for 2022 World Cup

Hosts of the 2022 World Cup, Qatar, will be placed in Group A of the UEFA Qualifying Group which begins in March of next year.

“Qatar will join Group A alongside Portugal, Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan,” the Qatar Football Association (QFA) said in a statement.

“As the next FIFA World Cup host nation, Qatar has already qualified for the tournament -meaning any results involving Qatar will not count towards qualification.

“Qatar will play its ‘home’ matches in Europe in order to allow short travel times for their opponents,” the QFA concluded.

Qatar will play the side with a rest day in each round of matches.

The decision was made on the basis that it would give the Asian country match preparation for the upcoming World Cup in November, 2022.

The Maroons have previously joined competitions that are staged outside of their own federation (AFC), including the Copa America last year.

Migu to share 2022 World Cup rights with CCTV

Migu, a subsidiary of Chinese telecommunications group China Mobile, has secured a deal to share the rights to air live and on-demand coverage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The streaming platform will share the digital coverage of events with Chinese broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV), with Migu having also struck a sub-licensed deal with the company to show next year’s UEFA EURO tournament.

The acquisition of the rights continues the company’s recent strategic investment into sporting content.

Last month, Migu signed a four-year deal with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which includes the right to showcase the 2023 Asian Cup, the 2022 World Qualifiers, the AFC Champions League and more on their streaming service.

A similar sub-licensing deal between Migu and CCTV was organised for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Northern Mariana Islands become 47th full Member Association of the AFC

During the AFC Congress held during the week, Northern Mariana Islands were voted in as a full member of the Asian Football Confederation.

President of the AFC, Shaikh Salman, stated at the congress: “We are proud to welcome the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association as the newest ordinary member of the AFC family. Under the leadership of NMIFA President Jerry Tan, I have no doubts that the game will continue to scale greater heights.”

AFC competitions to be broadcast for the first-time in South Eastern Europe

The AFC announced throughout the week that United Media Sàrl will be their new media partner in Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2021-2024.

The deal will cover the AFC’s major national team and club competitions such as the Champions League and the 2023 Asian Cup.

United Media Sàrl is part of the United Media Group, which is a leading media company in South Eastern Europe.

The company’s Sportklub channels will showcase the wide selection of Asian matches.

Dato’ Windsor John, the AFC General Secretary, said of the deal: “We are pleased with this exclusive partnership which brings the AFC Competitions to Southeast Europe for the first time. We are confident that Sportklub will bring AFC competitions closer to millions of fans in the region. This deal demonstrates the value of the AFC’s competitions not only in Asia but beyond and we thank United Media Sàrl for the confidence they show in the future of Asian football by entering into this agreement.”

Nemanja Simeunovic, CEO of the Sportklub channel operation stated: “I am enthusiastic about the addition of the AFC competitions to our portfolio of rights. The AFC competitions will fit perfectly in the outstanding programme line up within the three main pillars of programming: football, basketball and tennis.

“The AFC competitions will be taken very seriously as all our programmes have extensive promotion, professional and sports-fanatic commentators with fantastic news studios several times per day.”

Patrick Murphy, Board Member and CEO at Football Marketing Asia, said: “We are delighted to bring in United Media Sàrl as another valued media partner in Europe. We are confident that United Media Sàrl will further strengthen the presence of high-quality Asian football in Europe with its partner’s top-notched services.”

 

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Record deal puts Australian Lucas Herrington on Premier League stage

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Image Credits: Hull City

Australia’s Lucas Herrington’s rapid rise has reached another major milestone. The 18-year-old Socceroos defender has joined newly promoted Hull City in a reported $33 million deal. The move makes Herrington the most expensive Australian footballer in history.

Hull City have signed the centre-back from Colorado Rapids on a five-year contract. The deal comes after a breakout year for the Queenslander.

World Cup breakthrough

Herrington emerged as one of Australia’s biggest young prospects at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He became the youngest Socceroo to start a World Cup match. His composed performances against top-level opposition helped put him on the radar of clubs in Europe.

After a rapid rise with the Brisbane Roar, where Herrington began his senior career, he then moved to Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.

Now he is heading to the Premier League.

Dream move to England

Hull won the race for Herrington after a strong push to bring him to England.

The club has just returned to the Premier League. It now hopes the teenager can help strengthen its defence.

Herrington has made no secret of his ambition. He described the chance to play in the Premier League as a dream come true. He also revealed that former Hull midfielder Jackson Irvine helped convince him the club was the right fit.

Irvine played alongside Herrington at the World Cup. His positive view of Hull gave the young defender added confidence in the move.

Herrington had attracted major interest from European clubs but his move will see him compete in the biggest league in the world.

Manchester United awaits

Herrington could make his Premier League debut on the opening weekend. Hull face Manchester United on August 22. The fixture offers a huge stage for the teenager.

It is also a remarkable next step for a player who only recently broke into the Socceroos. The reported $33 million fee has added plenty of attention. But Herrington’s focus will now shift to earning his place in Hull’s starting XI.

His move also highlights a growing pathway for young Australian players. After impressing on the international stage, At just 18 years old Herrington now has the chance to test himself every week in the Premier League.

Manchester City and Charlotte Soccer Academy join forces on youth development

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Image Credits: Charlotte Soccer Academy

Manchester City has announced a new youth soccer collaboration with Charlotte Soccer Academy (CSA) and PUMA. The partnership will bring Manchester City’s coaching methodology into CSA’s daily program.

Two full-time Manchester City coaches will relocate to Charlotte, and they will work alongside CSA coaches, players and club leaders. There will also be opportunities for Charlotte’s young players to move to Manchester.

Focus on young players

The main focus will be CSA’s Foundation Phase. That covers players aged 10 to 12, helping them create a foundation.

City coaches will introduce the club’s Play Model and development approach. The sessions will focus on technical skills and decision-making.

They will also help players build a positive relationship with the game. The program will extend across CSA’s wider U9-U12 competitive pathway.

Coaches will benefit too

The collaboration goes beyond player development. Manchester City staff will support CSA coaches throughout the club.

They will help with curriculum planning and coaching development.  The teams will also share best practices that could strengthen CSA’s wider player development pathway.

A pathway to Manchester

CSA players in the program will also have the chance to travel to Manchester each year.

The trips will include competitive matches and access to the Manchester City Academy. The partnership will give young players a direct connection to Manchester City’s football environment.

PUMA backs the project

PUMA is supporting the collaboration as a long-term partner of Manchester City and CSA. CSA has been a PUMA King Club since 2019.

The project brings the three organisations together around youth development. Players, parents and coaches will see the partnership in action from the 2026-27 season, with Manchester City coaches working on the field in Charlotte every day.

The move also marks another step in City’s growing youth soccer presence in the United States.

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