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Central & South Asia Wrap: Title race heats up in IR Iran

Mon, 02 Nov, 2026

Central & South Asia Wrap: Title race heats up in IR Iran

Tehran: The tussle for top place in the Iran Pro League continues to go down the wire with Persepolis hanging on to the lead and Mobarakeh Sepahan SC, Foolad and defending champions Tractor FC waiting in the wings to take over. 

FC Bars Issyk-Kul are a match away from defending their title in Kyrgyz Republic while Mohun Bagan Super Giant took over the lead in India, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Persepolis maintain slim advantage; East Bengal in steady form

Mon, 26 Oct, 2026

Central & South Asia Wrap: Persepolis maintain slim advantage; East Bengal in steady form

Tehran: Persepolis’ place at the top of the Iran Pro League remained on shaky ground as Mobarakeh Sepahan SC and defending champions Tractor FC moved closer to dethroning the 16-time winners.

Titleholders East Bengal FC scored their second win in as many starts in the Indian Super league, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.

Group B: FC Istiklol (TJK) 0-2 Homs Al Fidaa SC (SYR)

Sat, 24 Oct, 2026

Group B: FC Istiklol (TJK) 0-2 Homs Al Fidaa SC (SYR)

Hisor: Continental debutants Homs Al Fidaa SC booked their place in the AFC Challenge League 2026/27™ knockout stage with a perfect record after defeating Tajikistan’s Istiklol FC 2-0 in their concluding Group B match on Friday.

The Syrian outfit capped a dream campaign with a maximum nine points while 2012 champions Istiklol closed theirs with a single win.

Group C: Fortis FC (BAN) 3-1 FC Regar-TadAZ (TJK)

Sat, 24 Oct, 2026

Group C: Fortis FC (BAN) 3-1 FC Regar-TadAZ (TJK)

Hawally: Fortis FC closed their AFC Challenge League 2026/27™ campaign on a positive note after they fought back to defeat FC Regar-TadAZ 3-1 in Group C on Friday.

The Bangladesh and Tajikistan sides finished on three points each as they bade farewell to the competition.

Group C: FC Regar-TadAZ (TJK) 0-1 Qadsia SC (KUW)

Wed, 21 Oct, 2026

Group C: FC Regar-TadAZ (TJK) 0-1 Qadsia SC (KUW)

Hawally: Qadsia SC strengthened their chances of reaching the knockout stage of the AFC Challenge League 2026/27™ after picking up a 1-0 win against FC Regar-TadAZ in their Group C clash on Tuesday.

With a maximum six points, the Kuwaiti side only need to avoid defeat against India’s FC Goa on Friday to finish as group winners and book their place in the quarter-finals.

Group B: FC Istiklol (TJK) 2-0 Al Arabi SC (KUW)

Wed, 21 Oct, 2026

Group B: FC Istiklol (TJK) 2-0 Al Arabi SC (KUW)

Hisor: FC Istiklol secured their first three points with a cagey 2-0 win over Kuwait’s Al Arabi SC in their AFC Challenge League 2026/27™ Group B match on Tuesday. 

Goals from Rustam Soirov and substitute Alisher Shukurov primed the Tajikistan outfit for their final match against Homs Al Fidaa SC of Syria on Friday while Al Arabi will look for their first point against Lebanon’s Nejmeh SC.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Persepolis claim pole; mixed start for Mohun Bagan

Mon, 19 Oct, 2026

Central & South Asia Wrap: Persepolis claim pole; mixed start for Mohun Bagan

Tehran: Persepolis took over the top in the Islamic Republic of Iran while FC Bars Issyk-Kul and Neftchi Fergana consolidated their positions in Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan in contrasting fashion.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant opened their campaign in India with a defeat, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.

Group B: Nejmeh SC (LBN) 1-0 FC Istiklol (TJK)

Sun, 18 Oct, 2026

Group B: Nejmeh SC (LBN) 1-0 FC Istiklol (TJK)

Hisor: Lebanon’s Nejmeh SC staved off a dominant FC Istiklol to carve out a 1-0 win in their AFC Challenge League 2026/27™ Group B opener on Saturday.

Ibrahim Gbadamosi capitalised on a defensive error to score a 21st-minute winner at the Hisor Central Stadium as Nejmeh soaked up pressure from the Tajikistan outfit to start their campaign off on the right foot.

Group C: FC Goa (IND) 1-2 FC Regar-Tadaz (TJK)

Sun, 18 Oct, 2026

Group C: FC Goa (IND) 1-2 FC Regar-Tadaz (TJK)

Hawally: FC Regar-TadAZ came from behind to defeat FC Goa 2-1 in their AFC Challenge League 2026/27™ Group C tie on Saturday.

Tajikistan’s Regar-TadAZ will take on Qadsia SC of Kuwait while Goa of India will next face Bangladesh’s Fortis FC, with both matches to take place on Tuesday.

Player to watch: Rustam Yatimov (TJK)

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Rustam Yatimov (TJK)

Kuala Lumpur: Goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov will look to duplicate his 2023 heroics in Qatar when Tajikistan return to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™. 

A standout during the Central Asia side’s historic debut in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, Yatimov was instrumental in their run to the knockout stage, where he made the only save in a decisive 5-3 penalty shootout against the United Arab Emirates’ Caio Canedo to seal a memorable Round of 16 victory.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Tractor, Fergana on shaky ground; Paro defend title

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Central & South Asia Wrap: Tractor, Fergana on shaky ground; Paro defend title

Tehran: Tractor FC of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Neftchi Fergana in Uzbekistan saw their respective title defences come under threat following a winless week for both sides.

The Indian Super League and Bangladesh Football Premier League both kicked off as Paro FC wrapped up the Bhutan Premier League championship for the sixth straight time, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.

Qualifiers - Group A: Korea Republic 9-0 Jordan; Tajikistan 5-0 UAE

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Qualifiers - Group A: Korea Republic 9-0 Jordan; Tajikistan 5-0 UAE

Dushanbe: Korea Republic confirmed their spot in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027™ after defeating Jordan 9-0 on Sunday to complete their Group A qualifying campaign unbeaten.

Korea Republic finished with a perfect nine points, with Jordan on four. Tajikistan, meanwhile, ended their campaign on a positive note after defeating United Arab Emirates 5-0.