08/01/2019
Molten to Supply the Official Match Ball
for the competitions coordinated by AFC
Molten Corporation (headquarters: Hiroshima, Japan; president & CEO: Kiyo Tamiaki), a manufacturer
of competition-quality sports balls and equipment, will supply the official match balls designed for the
football, futsal, and beach football matches of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) that will be held
from 2019 based on the match ball agreement which will become effective in January 2019. A total of
5 models, including the official match balls and replica models, will be available for purchase in select
markets from the end of January 2019.
The football official match ball was adapted from Molten’s flagship model, the Vantaggio 5000. Molten’s
unique thermal bonding technology enhances shape retention and minimizes water absorption, resulting
in an exceptional performance regardless of conditions. The textured surface reduces turbulence around
the ball while it is in flight, optimizing ball control. In addition, the symmetrical design gives the ball a
maximum visibility when playing. Also, the balls are designed depending on where they will be used in
each sport; for example, the beach football is designed using orange as the base color in order to
enhance the visibility of the ball on the sand.
Molten will continue to develop and supply football products of outstanding function and design to
every level of player, and work to fulfill the brand promise, “For the real game.”
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is the governing body of Asian football and one of the six
Confederations making up FIFA. Formed in 1954 in Manila on the sidelines of the second Asian Games,
the AFC was sanctioned by FIFA in Berne, Switzerland. The AFC is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia and consists of 46 Member Associations and one Associate Member Association (The Northern
Mariana Islands). The AFC is responsible for running football in Asia. Among its various responsibilities are:
regulating the game, drafting new laws to improve the sport, implementing the law, boosting grassroots and
youth football, and conducting major competitions.
