If the ‘2023’ editions of the Africa Cup of Nations and Asian Cup demonstrate anything, it is that the parity in these tournaments stands out among international competitions. Each continent has relative powerhouses. Japan has been dominant in Asia, and South Korea always poses a threat. Egypt and Cameroon have more <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/africa-cup-of-nations-tv-schedule/">AFCON</a> titles than any other country in history. None of those four teams will win their respective continental tournaments. Moreover, none of them will even reach the final.



Instead, fans of both the African and Asian competitions have seen unprecedented <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/why-the-2023-africa-cup-of-nations-has-been-the-best-one-yet-20240131-WST-486478.html">underdogs and dramatic finishes</a> in January and February 2024. Jordan is in the Asian Cup Final for the first time in its history. South Africa is one win away from the AFCON 2023 Final after winning just three games in its last four trips to the Africa Cup of Nations. All the while, these teams are knocking off the traditional powers of their continents. 



Jordan defeated South Korea with a comfortable 2-0 win in the semifinals. Jordan also defeated Iraq in the round of 16. This is only Jordan’s fifth appearance in the Asian Cup. South Africa upset World Cup semifinalist Morocco in the round of 16. Then, a dramatic penalty shootout win over fellow minnow Cape Verde set Bafana Bafana up for more success.



This speaks volumes about the quality of play in both Africa and Asia and the level of success these continents are showing holistically, not just from the usual suspects.




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<h2>Lesser games, but better storylines</h2>



Granted, if you ask fans before the tournament what their ideal finals would be, you would expect the biggest nations. In Asia, fans may want Japan against Iran or South Korea or battling Qatar. Africa has a litany of teams with world-class players who have set up sensational finals years prior. Sadio Mane at Senegal, Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, and Victor Osimhen of Nigeria deserve their plaudits as elite players. Yet, a tournament is more than just its final, and what smaller countries have been able to do throughout the group stage and knockout stage has provided countless incredible moments.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240206_WST_487977_South-Africa-AFCON-1200x670_a7b2a423.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-487990" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/South-Africa-AFCON-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/South-Africa-AFCON-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/South-Africa-AFCON-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/South-Africa-AFCON.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



Take Cape Verde as an example. Making its fifth appearance at AFCON, the African side ranks 73rd in the <a href="https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FIFA World Rankings</a>, and it drew Ghana and Egypt in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/africa-cup-of-nations-games-to-watch-20240108-WST-480961.html">the group stage</a>. A stoppage-time win over Ghana in matchday one preceded a 3-0 pounding of Mozambique. Cape Verde concluded a sensational group stage with an equalizer in the ninth minute of stoppage time against Egypt. Rapidly, Cape Verde became one of the major talking points of AFCON 2023.



In addition to Jordan’s success in the Asian Cup, Tajikistan made headlines for its ability to get out of its group. Tajikistan was one of three teams in the worst pot during the group-stage draw to make it to the knockout stage. A penalty win over the United Arab Emirates sent Tajikistan into the quarterfinals. This is the side’s first appearance in the AFC Asian Cup, and it made it to the last eight. Only Jordan, the other story of the Asian Cup, could stop the run from Tajikistan.



<h2>Underdogs showing potential of Asian and African tournaments</h2>



The Asian Cup and AFCON are coming to a close. Still, the success of underdog teams can set a precedent for the success of these competitions as a whole. Not only will the bigger teams want to usurp their spot at the top of the continent. Smaller nations will have a better belief that they can go on a similar run. Also, for what little bit of the tournaments are remaining, Jordan and South Africa are <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/asian-cup-takes-the-world-by-storm-record-breaking-viewership-20240203-WST-487302.html">providing fans added joy</a> in watching the tournament. 



PHOTOS: IMAGO.

Rise of the underdogs in Asian and African tournaments

Underdogs like Jordan, South Africa and Tajikistan are demonstrating the greatness of African and Asian tournaments.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami could be preparing for another game in Hong Kong. His side, Inter Miami, is in talks to take part in the much-awaited 2024 Lunar New Year Cup, according to rumors from Asia.



The 36-year-old’s prospective presence would be his second trip to Hong Kong, having visited the city in 2014. The forward was instrumental in Argentina’s 7-0 win against the Dragons during the game, with two goals.



Now, as reported by the <a href="https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3243208/lionel-messi-hong-kong-bound-talks-under-way-bring-star-and-inter-miami-teammates-city-lunar-new" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">South China Morning Post</a>, Inter Miami may participate in the annual Lunar New Year Cup in Hong Kong in February.



After a break since 2019, the much-anticipated return of the Lunar New Year Cup gets underway. It was formerly known as the Carlsberg Challenge or the Carlsberg Cup. In an exciting four-team match that included Auckland City, Sagan Tosu, and a Hong Kong League XI, mainland Chinese club Shandong Luneng emerged victorious.



Talk over the Herons’ possible participation in the resurrected forthcoming Lunar New Year Cup have been going around in Asia for a while. The appearance of their owner David Beckham, who is in Hong Kong after visiting Macao, has fueled rumors of his comeback to Hong Kong.



The South China Morning Post was informed by a trustworthy person who is directly engaged in the discussions that “Inter Miami and related parties are actively working towards the possibility of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/inter-miami-set-to-showcase-new-main-shirt-sponsor-in-2024-20231124-WST-472449.html">Messi</a>’s participation in the tournament.” The source added: “There is indeed a chance that this will come to fruition.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231130_WST_474082_Messi-headshot-1200x675.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-474149" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Messi-headshot-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Messi-headshot-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Messi-headshot-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Messi-headshot.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Lionel Messi was supposed to travel to Asia this year to play with Inter Miami, but that fell through.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>When will Messi and Inter Miami be in Hong Kong?</h2>



The date of the Lunar New Year Cup is Saturday, February 10, 2024. Still, details on Inter Miami’s possible participation remain unclear. It is unknown which teams will compete in the next edition of the tournament.



The AFC Asian Cup final in Qatar takes place on this very day. That coincidence makes soccer fever in Asia even more exciting. And all the big leagues in Europe will be back in action after their winter holidays; the Africa Cup of Nations ends on Feb. 11.



<h2>Messi had China tour canceled this month</h2>



During the offseason, Lionel Messi and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/inter-miami-tv-schedule/">Inter Miami</a> planned on going to Asia. But the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-mls-on-us-tv-and-internet/">MLS</a> team at the beginning of November that they would be <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/will-inter-miami-compete-in-copa-interamericana-20231109-WST-468486.html">calling off their China visit</a>.



The tour’s fell through due to supposed problems with its organizers. Before that, the Herons lined up games against Chinese Super League teams Qingdao Hainiu and Chengdu Rongcheng. Those were in early November. Doubts about Miami’s offseason plans grew. The MLS team said on Wednesday that “unforeseen circumstances in China” forced it to cancel the Asian trip.



The club’s website included the <a href="https://www.intermiamicf.com/news/inter-miami-cf-statement-on-china-tour" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following statement</a>. “The tour promoter, NSN, has informed Inter Miami CF of the cancellation of its China Tour due to unforeseen circumstances in China. Inter Miami’s ambition remains to expand its global reach by playing in front of incredible fans from across the globe; the Club will continue to explore future opportunities with NSN to achieve this goal.”



PHOTOS: IMAGO.

Messi linked to 2024 return to Hong Kong for revived tournament

David Beckham is apparently in Hong Kong to negotiate a deal, to send Lionel Messi and Inter Miami to Asia for a friendly.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced a revamping of its club competitions. This takes effect starting in the 2024/25 campaign.



The current two-competition structure with the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup will be transformed into a three-tier system. The number of teams participating in the three competitions, 76, does not change. Yet, the competition format is a complete overhaul. Eventually, the total number of games increases from 274 to 287.



<h2>AFC club competitions see change from top to bottom</h2>



The still-unnamed <a href="https:\/\/www.the-afc.com/en/more/afc_news/news/afc%E2%80%99s_club_competitions_set_for_strategic_reforms.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">replacement to the current Champions League</a> sees 24 teams split into two “leagues” – East &amp; West. The 12 teams in each league play a total of eight matches. Four are at home, and four are away, against eight different opponents. The top eight teams from each league advance to the Round of 16. 



Following the Round of 16, the Quarterfinals, Semifinals &amp; Final follow a traditional tournament style in a single country. The elimination of the common ‘Group Stage’ borrows from the UEFA Champions League which will go to a single-league format during the same 2024/25 season.



<h5>SECOnd/THIRd Tier Competitions and Other Changes</h5>



The second&nbsp;tier of the competition saves the traditional ‘Group Stage’ format. Thirty-two teams compete in eight groups of four. Similar to the World Cup or modern UEFA Champions League, the top two teams advance from each group to a knockout stage of 16 teams. All knockout round ties will be played in a home/away format. Then, the final is a single event. 



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The AFC Competitions Committee has recommended game-changing reforms to herald a new era of success and unrivalled progress.— AFC (@theafcdotcom) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/theafcdotcom/status/1606214227873927168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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The third&nbsp;tier has 20 teams divided into 5 Groups. There will be no home/away matches in the Group Stage. Rather, there are single matches in a centralized location. The top eight teams from the five groups punch a ticket to the quarterfinals. The last eight and last four of the competition have traditional home and away ties. The final is just one game. 



<h2>More changes to the AFC club competitions</h2>



A major change for the AFC club competitions is the relegation between leagues. Teams losing in the preliminary and playoff rounds move down a tier to remain active in other competitions. It is similar to when a team loses in the UEFA Champions League playoff round, only to bump into the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">Europa League</a> group stage. 



The final change anticipated for the 2024/25 is the lifting of foreign players rules. Currently, clubs must adhere to a ‘5+1’ rule on foreign players. Essentially, there are five foreign players from any confederation plus one from another AFC country. The ‘5+1’ rule was only introduced this year which replaced a long-standing ‘3+1’ rule. Starting in 2024, any limits on foreign players will be determined by each nations domestic regulations. In many cases, this will mean no limits on foreign players.



<h5>US TV RightS TO AFC club competitions</h5>



The current rightholders to AFC competitions is <a href="https:\/\/paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CBS/Paramount+</a>. The current rights expire at the end of the 2023/24 season. Therefore, the major changes to the competitions begin with whoever owns the rights after the current CBS/Paramount+ deal expires. Time zone differences with the United States tend to negatively affect the value of said rights. Still, CBS and other other bidders could find themselves in a battle to grab the rights. 



The <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">Qatar World Cup</a> has raised the profile of many players that feature in these competitions. Whenever the rights hit the market (expected in the second half of 2023), look for CBS to have some competition from Apple, Amazon and perhaps even ESPN.



PHOTO: IMAGO / Arnulf Hettrich

AFC club competitions are undergoing severe overhaul in a few seasons, as they resemble a more modern take on continental club action.

Asian Football Confederation to overhaul AFC club competitions

<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-30 alignnone" width="768" height="557" src="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/a27bf271a267adba9e3b1b15152187695dec7849.jpg"></figure>
Johor Bahru (Malaysia) (AFP) – A wealthy prince and some astute promotion involving US rapper Snoop Dogg have helped turn Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim from footballing minnows into one of Asia’s top clubs.
The club, commonly known as JDT, has its roots in the former Johor FC and other clubs in the southern state, who kicked around the lower reaches of Malaysian football with an occasional minor cup win as their only honours.
But that all began to change in 2012, when Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, crown prince of the Johor royal family, took control of football in the state.
With their new nickname of “Southern Tigers”, JDT have dominated Malaysian football since 2014, winning the country’s top-flight Super League in each of the last eight seasons.&nbsp;
In April they became the first team from Malaysia to reach the knockout stages of the Asian Football Confederation’s Champions League.
Now the club from the sleepy country of 32 million will in August face continental giants and two-time Asian champions Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan for a place in the last eight.
“This is the harvest of a seed that was planted 10 years ago, with a lot of effort,” JDT’s head coach Benjamin Mora told AFP at the club’s training centre in state capital Johor Bahru.
“We’re a very small team compared to the giants of Asia,” the Mexican manager said, but added that JDT’s “fighting spirit” made them serious contenders.&nbsp;
When Tunku Ismail became president of the football association in Johor, just north of city-state Singapore, its state team was average at best.&nbsp;
He pushed through a major organisational revamp, upgrading stadiums and bringing in top players and foreign staff.
The team was rebranded in 2013 as Johor Darul Ta’zim — the last two words mean “abode of dignity” in Arabic, an official honorific for the state in Muslim-majority Malaysia.
Tunku Ismail, the eldest son of the powerful Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, established the club in 2013 before he was announced as its owner in 2016.
His father, the sultan, heads one of Malaysia’s nine Islamic royal families and, while he is a ceremonial ruler, wields considerable influence.
He is a flamboyant figure — he has his own private army, and has built a house inspired by his favourite cartoon, The Flintstones.&nbsp;

– Tough fight ahead –

Mora — who started with JDT’s reserve team in 2015, before becoming the main team’s coach in 2017 — said the crown prince’s hands-on approach had helped the side.&nbsp;
For most owners, “their priorities are not the game (but) the industry” and connections they can make, he said.&nbsp;
But Tunku Ismail is “all in”, and takes an interest in everything, “merchandise … foreign players, local players, staff, training sessions,” Mora added.
The revitalised team won the Super League in 2014, and the following year became the first Malaysian side to win the AFC Cup, Asia’s second-tier continental club tournament, defeating Tajikistan’s Istiklol 1-0.&nbsp;
In an effort to boost their profile, JDT recently roped in Snoop Dogg to perform a rap called “Pioneers”, alongside Malaysian hip-hop artist Joe Flizzow.
The colourful music video features scenes of the players, flag-waving supporters and fireworks exploding above their state-of-the-art, 40,000-seat, Sultan Ibrahim stadium, which was opened in 2020.
Defender Mohamad Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak, who has been with the club since 2013, said access to new equipment, such as oxygen therapy machines and infrared saunas, made a big difference.
“I haven’t seen other teams in Malaysia having what JDT has,” the 34-year-old said.
JDT’s players now make up the bulk of the national team, with 13 of them in the 23-man line-up at the 2023 Asian Cup qualifiers in June.
However, it remains to be seen whether they can make a difference to the poor performance of the national side, which is ranked just 147th in the world.&nbsp;
Despite their rapid rise, JDT face a tough fight against Asia’s best sides in the Champions League’s knockout stages in August, having been drawn against Japan’s Urawa Reds. &nbsp;
“It’s going to be almost impossible because the Japanese and Korean teams are very strong,” Mora said.
JDT will have to play “almost perfect games, without mistakes,” he added.&nbsp;

With royal backing and a Snoop Dogg rap, Malaysia minnows challenge best in Asia

With royal backing and a Snoop Dogg rap, Malaysia minnows challenge best in Asia - World Soccer Talk

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