الأخبار

Central & South Asia Wrap: Issy-Kul, Fergana stream ahead, Istiklol go off track

Mon, 21 Sep, 2026

Central & South Asia Wrap: Issy-Kul, Fergana stream ahead, Istiklol go off track

Bishkek: FC Bars Issyk-Kul and PFC Neftchi stayed on course for second consecutive titles in Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan respectively while FC Istiklol, looking for a 12th straight trophy, saw their championship bid derailed in Tajikistan.

The domestic league in Sri Lanka wrapped up its first round, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.

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.

Kyrgyz Republic defeat Tajikistan to clinch maiden title

Sun, 20 Sep, 2026

Kyrgyz Republic defeat Tajikistan to clinch maiden title

Tashkent: Kyrgyz Republic were crowned CAFA U17 Women’s Championship 2026 champions after defeating Tajikistan 2-0 in their final match on Saturday. 

Goals from Perizat Zairbekova and Akak Ishembieva secured the victory, with Antonio Mesa’s side finishing the four-team tournament unbeaten on seven points. 

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.

Jebel optimistic despite Air Force SC's losing start

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

Jebel optimistic despite Air Force SC's losing start

Fergana: Fethi Jebel l had no complaints despite seeing his Air Force SC side falling to a 1-0 defeat against PFC Neftchi in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ opener on Monday.

Zoran Marusic’s late header earned Uzbekistan's Neftchi a 1-0 victory, with Iraq's Air Force left to rue defeat despite producing a good performance.

Preview: The 2026 Challenge

Sun, 13 Sep, 2026

Preview: The 2026 Challenge

Kuala Lumpur: The next generation of talent will converge in Japan for the Asian Games 2026 as Korea Republic and Japan look to defend their gold medal in the men’s and women’s categories respectively.

With the Women’s competition to kick-off the action on Monday, the-AFC.com previews the upcoming football festival.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Tractor in fine form; Nasaf stun Fergana

Mon, 07 Sep, 2026

Central & South Asia Wrap: Tractor in fine form; Nasaf stun Fergana

Tehran: Tractor FC’s quest for a second Iran Pro League title gained traction as the defending champions stretched their unbeaten start to six matches. 

PFC Nasaf, the 2024 Uzbekistan Super League champions defeated titleholders Neftchi Fergana, 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 0-0 Kyrgyz Republic

Mon, 07 Sep, 2026

Qualifiers - Group A: Korea Republic 0-0 Kyrgyz Republic

Bishkek: 10-man Korea Republic confirmed their spot in the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027™ after playing to a 0-0 draw against Kyrgyz Republic in their Group A qualifying tie on Monday.

The draw for Korea Republic means they finish top of the standings with four points, with Lebanon claiming second with three while Kyrgyz Republic ended their campaign at the bottom.

Qualifiers - Group A: Kyrgyz Republic 2-3 Lebanon

Fri, 04 Sep, 2026

Qualifiers - Group A: Kyrgyz Republic 2-3 Lebanon

Bishkek: Lebanon were made to work hard before edging Kyrgyz Republic 3-2 in Group A of the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027™ Qualifiers on Thursday.

The win revived Lebanon’s chances of advancing while Kyrgyz Republic have it all to do against Korea Republic on Sunday.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Tractor power on; Paro pull further ahead

Mon, 31 Aug, 2026

Central & South Asia Wrap: Tractor power on; Paro pull further ahead

Bishkek: Tractor FC remained unbeaten after four matches as the defending champions stamped their mark on the newly-started Iran Pro League.

Paro FC’s Yuta Mishima, with 14 goals in 12 appearances, is on a hot streak in the Bhutan Pro League, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.

Uzbekistan 2027 hopefuls discover qualification path

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

Uzbekistan 2027 hopefuls discover qualification path

Kuala Lumpur: Teams aiming to vie for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027™ title discovered their Qualifiers challenge following the Draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The 35 teams were divided into seven groups of five to contest a single round-robin centralised league for the qualifying rounds that run from November 8 to 20, 2026.

The seven group winners will join the nine AFC representatives from the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 who have automatically qualified - Australia, China PR, Japan (defending champions), Korea Republic, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam - in the Finals.

Central & South Asia Wrap: IR Iran welcomes new season; East Bengal clinch Durand Cup

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

Central & South Asia Wrap: IR Iran welcomes new season; East Bengal clinch Durand Cup

Tehran: The Iran Pro League returned to action with its 2026/27 season following the suspension of the 2025/26 edition in February, with the league now expanded from 16 to 18 teams. 

East Bengal FC claimed the 2026 Durand Cup in India after a 22-year wait, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.