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PS: Gangwon FC (KOR) 0-1 Gamba Osaka (JPN)

Tue, 11 Aug, 2026

PS: Gangwon FC (KOR) 0-1 Gamba Osaka (JPN)

Gangneung: Gamba Osaka secured their place in the league phase of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ on Tuesday as Gaku Nawata’s extra-time strike earned the J1 League side a 1-0 win over hosts Gangwon FC from Korea Republic.

Nawata scored 13 minutes into extra-time for the reigning AFC Champions League Two™ title-holders after neither side had managed to find a way through during the regulation 90 minutes.

Osaka will join compatriots Kashima Antlers, Vissel Kobe, Kashiwa Reysol and Kyoto Sanga in the draw for the league phase, which has been expanded from 24 to 32 teams, in Kuala Lumpur on August 18.

Gangwon were eliminated despite dominating for long periods against a Gamba side that exhibited obvious signs of rustiness in a match that was played after just one week of action in the new J1 League season.

East Asia Wrap: Chengdu stumble but stay top; Kashima launch title defence with thriller

Mon, 10 Aug, 2026

East Asia Wrap: Chengdu stumble but stay top; Kashima launch title defence with thriller

Tokyo: Chengdu Rongcheng suffered defeat but retained top spot in China PR, while FC Seoul were held again in Korea Republic as Ulsan HD closed the gap to seven points with victory over Pohang Steelers.

In Japan, defending champions Kashima Antlers began their title defence with a dramatic victory as the new J.League campaign got underway.

Lee secures Belgium move; Urozov heads to Russia

Tue, 04 Aug, 2026

Lee secures Belgium move; Urozov heads to Russia

Kuala Lumpur: Lee Han-beom will play his club football in Belgium after the Korea Republic international sealed a move to Club Brugge on Monday.

The 24-year-old was an ever-present in the Korea Republic starting line-up at the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the centre-back not missing a single minute of the action in the group stage.

East Asia Wrap: Chengdu held again; Ulsan climb to second

Mon, 03 Aug, 2026

East Asia Wrap: Chengdu held again; Ulsan climb to second

Seoul: Chengdu Rongcheng were forced to settle for another draw but remain top of the Chinese Super League while Qingdao West Coast climbed to second

Ulsan HD continued their resurgence in Korea Republic to move into second place. Join the-AFC.com as we review the past week's domestic action across East Asia.

Heo joins Bayern academy; Sailors add Mance

Sat, 01 Aug, 2026

Heo joins Bayern academy; Sailors add Mance

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic goalkeeper Heo Jae-won has secured a move to Bayern Munich’s academy, while Singapore champions Lion City Sailors have strengthened their attacking ranks with the signing of Antonio Mance.

Clubs in Japan, Vietnam, Qatar and Korea Republic were also active with Taito Kanda, Iuri Castillo, Kalvin Luong, Abdullah Al Sulaiti, Ruben Macedo and Kim Min-ho completing moves.

Hashioka links up with Gladbach; Lee off to Darmstadt

Fri, 31 Jul, 2026

Hashioka links up with Gladbach; Lee off to Darmstadt

Kuala Lumpur: Asian stars continue to pick Germany as their preferred destination with Daiki Hashioka and Lee Ho-jae the latest to confirm moves there.

Borussia Monchengladbach have signed Daiki Hashioka on a season-long loan from Czech champions Slavia Prague, with the deal including an option to buy the Japan international.

Sailors capture Phaeton; Ko inks Dewa deal

Thu, 30 Jul, 2026

Sailors capture Phaeton; Ko inks Dewa deal

Kuala Lumpur: Lion City Sailors have bolstered their attacking ranks with the signing of Guadeloupe international Matthias Phaeton, while Korea Republic defender Ko Myeong-seok has completed a move to Indonesia’s Dewa United.

David Aizawa has also left J.League outfit Vissel Kobe for Division 2 side Oita Trinita on loan, with Melbourne City adding Brazilian midfielder Matheus Rossetto to their squad.

Kobe get Takahashi; Lacerda moves to Kawasaki

Wed, 29 Jul, 2026

Kobe get Takahashi; Lacerda moves to Kawasaki

Kuala Lumpur: Vissel Kobe have secured midfielder Issei Takahashi from JEF United Chiba, while Kawasaki Frontale strengthened their forward line with the signing of Brazilian striker Derik Lacerda.

JEF United, K League clubs Busan IPark and Hwaseong FC and Emirati side Kalba Football Club were also active in the transfer market, completing additions ahead of their respective domestic campaigns.

Mahzari joins Al Hilal; Jude seals Port switch

Tue, 28 Jul, 2026

Mahzari joins Al Hilal; Jude seals Port switch

Kuala Lumpur: Al Hilal SFC have further strengthened their squad with the signing of Saudi Arabia’s Mohamed Mahzari, while Thailand international Jude Soonsup-Bell has completed a move to Port FC.

Abha Club, AlUla and Qatar SC  were also active in West Asia, with K League sides Hwaseong FC and Gimhae FC 2008 also bolstering their ranks for the second half of the season.

Asian Review: Korea Republic

Mon, 27 Jul, 2026

Asian Review: Korea Republic

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic will be determined to respond emphatically after enduring a difficult FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign.

There were high hopes that Korea Republic - who made the semi-finals of the 2002 edition which they co-hosted with Japan - would enjoy an extended run in North America but it was not to be.

East Asia Wrap: Chengdu leave it late; Ulsan stun leaders Seoul

Mon, 03 Aug, 2026

East Asia Wrap: Chengdu leave it late; Ulsan stun leaders Seoul

Seoul: Chengdu Rongcheng salvaged a dramatic point to remain top of the Chinese Super League while Ulsan HD handed FC Seoul a surprise defeat in Korea Republic.

In Macau, Shao Jiang clinched the title with a commanding seven-goal victory so join the-AFC.com as we review the past week's domestic action across East Asia.

Premier League for Maeda, Lee returns to Spain

Sun, 26 Jul, 2026

Premier League for Maeda, Lee returns to Spain

Kuala Lumpur: Ipswich signed Japan forward Daizen Maeda from Scottish champions Celtic while Korea Republic international Kang-In Lee has joined Atletico Madrid from France’s Paris Saint-Germain.

Maeda agreed a three-year contract with the newly-promoted Premier League club after four and a half years with Celtic where he lifted five Scottish titles, three Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups.

The 28-year-old scored 79 goals in 212 appearances for Celtic and was a member of the Japan squad that reached the last 32 at the FIFA World Cup 2026 before losing to Brazil.