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AG (M): China PR, DPR Korea seal knockout stage spots

Wed, 23 Sep, 2026

AG (M): China PR, DPR Korea seal knockout stage spots

Kuala Lumpur: China PR and DPR Korea became the final two teams to book their berths in the Asian Games 2026 men’s football quarter-finals after the completion of the group stage on Wednesday.

The last eight showdowns will see defending champions Korea Republic facing Vietnam, China PR taking on Thailand, Uzbekistan playing Saudi Arabia while Japan will meet DPR Korea with the matches to take place on Friday and Saturday.

Preview - FIFA Asean Cup

Tue, 22 Sep, 2026

Preview - FIFA Asean Cup

Kuala Lumpur: Intriguing battles and rivalries renewed are set to take centrestage when the inaugural FIFA Asean Cup 2026 kicks off on Thursday.

Divided into two divisions, 11 Southeast Asian nations will compete alongside three guest teams in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Hong Kong, China and the-AFC.com takes a look at what’s in store.

ASEAN Wrap: Champions set the early pace across region

Mon, 21 Sep, 2026

ASEAN Wrap: Champions set the early pace across region

Kuala Lumpur: Johor Darul Ta’zim continued their perfect start to the Malaysia Super League season with a 3-0 victory over Negeri Sembilan, while defending champions Cong An Ha Noi FC maintained their perfect record with a 3-0 win over Truong Tuoi Dong Nai in Vietnam. 

In Indonesia, defending champions Persib Bandung came from behind to defeat Persijap Jepara 2-1, while Buriram United opened their Thai League 1 title defence with a 1-0 victory over Chonburi.

There was also action in Singapore, Cambodia and the Philippines so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the latest domestic action across ASEAN.

AG(M): Japan, Thailand seal q-final berths in style

Sun, 20 Sep, 2026

AG(M): Japan, Thailand seal q-final berths in style

Kuala Lumpur: Japan and Thailand continued to impress at the Asian Games 2026, registering emphatic wins in Group A of the men’s football tournament on Sunday to confirm their places in the quarter-finals.

Thailand powered to a 5-1 win over Hong Kong, China, while Japan were equally dominant, cruising 7-0 past Kyrgyz Republic.

In Group B, Islamic Republic of Iran and China PR played to a goalless draw to move onto four points each.

AG (W): Giants march on

Fri, 18 Sep, 2026

AG (W): Giants march on

Kuala Lumpur: Japan, Korea Republic, DPR Korea and Chinese Taipei maintained their perfect starts in the Asian Games 2026 women’s football on Thursday.

The Philippines, meanwhile, picked up their first win with a 2-0 victory over Hong Kong, China, while China PR and Uzbekistan shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Group F: Lion City Sailors FC (SGP) 1-1 BG Pathum United (THA)

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

Group F: Lion City Sailors FC (SGP) 1-1 BG Pathum United (THA)

Singapore: BG Pathum United came from behind to earn a well-deserved 1-1 stalemate with Singapore’s Lion City Sailors FC in their AFC Champions League Two 2026/27™ Group F tie on Thursday.

Patrik Gustavsson’s second-half strike cancelled out an own goal by Marko Nikolic in the 25th minute in a match largely dominated by the Thai outfit, who made their debut last season.

MD1: Port FC (THA) 1-2 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

MD1: Port FC (THA) 1-2 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Thammasat: Yoshinori Muto scored just after the hour mark to earn Vissel Kobe a 2-1 win over Port FC as the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ semi-finalists kicked off their new campaign with victory in Thailand.

Former Japan international Muto struck in the 61st minute after Ren Komatsu had given the visitors a 10th minute lead, only to deflect Issam Al Sabhi’s header in first half stoppage time past his own goalkeeper for the equaliser.

AG (M): Japan, China PR make winning starts

Wed, 16 Sep, 2026

AG (M): Japan, China PR make winning starts

Kuala Lumpur: The second day of men’s football action at the Asian Games 2026 saw hosts Japan secure a 2-0 win against Hong Kong, China on Wednesday.

China PR, Thailand and Islamic Republic of Iran also picked up wins as competition to the knockout stage intensified.

Silva proud of Buriram resilience

Wed, 16 Sep, 2026

Silva proud of Buriram resilience

Iskandar Puteri: Mario Silva hailed Buriram United’s resilience after the Thai champions overcame a second half red card to secure a 1-1 draw with Johor Darul Ta’zim in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ tie on Tuesday.

Silva, who took charge of his first continental match for Buriram,  saw his side withstand sustained pressure after Kenny Dougall was dismissed in the 57th minute, with goalkeeper Neil Etheridge producing a crucial late penalty save to secure a point.

Muscat pleased with Shanghai Port’s attacking intent

Wed, 16 Sep, 2026

Muscat pleased with Shanghai Port’s attacking intent

Ratchaburi: Shanghai Port FC head coach Kevin Muscat praised his players for producing an impressive attacking display after the Chinese Super League champions opened their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ campaign with a thrilling 6-4 victory over Ratchaburi FC on Tuesday.

Prince Ampem’s first half hat-trick put Shanghai Port firmly in control before a frantic second half saw the two sides trading goals with Muscat delighted with his team’s performance despite seeing room for improvement. 

MD1: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) 1-1 Buriram United (THA)

Wed, 16 Sep, 2026

MD1: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) 1-1 Buriram United (THA)

Iskandar Puteri: Neil Etheridge made a late penalty save as 10-man Buriram United held on to claim a 1-1 draw with Johor Darul Ta’zim at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Tuesday in the opening round of matches in the league phase of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™.

The former Philippines goalkeeper kept out Bergson da Silva’s 87th minute spot-kick, saving at full stretch to his right to push the ball to safety after Arif Aiman had been brought down in the area by defender Eduardo Mancha.
 
That crucial intervention came after Stefan Schimmer had scored in the 43rd minute for Buriram United to cancel out Oscar Arribas’ 26th minute opener, when Etheridge should have done better to keep out the long range effort.
 
Kenny Dougall was sent off 12 minutes into the second half for a second bookable offence while JDT also finished the game with 10 men when Eddy Israfilov was dismissed for a dangerous challenge on Uros Radakovic in the 89th minute.

MD1: Ratchaburi FC (THA) 4-6 Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

MD1: Ratchaburi FC (THA) 4-6 Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Ratchaburi: Prince Ampen’s first-half hat-trick sent Shanghai Port FC on their way to a frantic 6-4 victory over hosts Ratchaburi FC on Tuesday as the Chinese Super League champions made a winning start to the league phase of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™.

Ampen netted in the 31st and 36th minutes before completing his treble in the first minute of first half stoppage time as Kevin Muscat’s side picked up all three points against the Thai League 1 side.

Wu Lei was also on target for the visitors in the 51st minute before a double from substitute Njiva Rakotoharimalala gave Ratchaburi brief hope of a comeback prior to Jaume Grau’s fifth four minutes from time.

Njiva completed his hat-trick and Ekanit Panya scored from close range in a chaotic finish to the match with Leonardo netting his side’s sixth in the 96th minute to put the finally put the result beyond doubt.