ASEAN Leagues Wrap: Perfect week for Hanoi, Shan United go top

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

ASEAN Leagues Wrap: Perfect week for Hanoi, Shan United go top

Kuala Lumpur: Another weekend of drama in the ASEAN region saw Hanoi FC extend their lead in Vietnam and Shan United move to the summit in Myanmar. 

Elsewhere, wins for the top two in Thailand and Indonesia are among the highlights of the-AFC.com’s weekly wrap of the Southeast Asian domestic leagues.

Van Cong: We’re dreaming of becoming champions

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Van Cong: We’re dreaming of becoming champions

Hanoi: Goalkeeper Nguyen Van Cong has admitted that Hanoi FC are now dreaming of winning the 2019 AFC Cup after Wednesday’s 1-0 victory over Becamex Binh Duong saw them crowned ASEAN Zonal Champions and book an Inter-Zone semi-final date against Turkmenistan's Altyn Asyr.

The capital city side went into the all-Vietnamese clash at Hang Day Stadium with a 1-0 advantage following last week’s first leg and, after a tight first half which Hanoi shaded, the hosts broke the deadlock just after the hour when top scorer Pape Omar Faye notched his eighth goal of the campaign.

With Binh Duong needing to score twice, Hanoi could breath a little easier and they could have added to their tally, with Nguyen Quang Hai, Ngan Van Dai and Pape Kebe all missing chances as the home side comfortably saw out the closing stages.

There are regrets, admits Anh Duc

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

There are regrets, admits Anh Duc

Hanoi: Nguyen Anh Duc rued missed opportunities after Becamex Binh Duong exited the 2019 AFC Cup at the hands of domestic rivals Hanoi FC on Wednesday, with a 1-0 defeat at Hang Day Stadium ensuring the hosts advanced 2-0 on aggregate. 

Binh Duong went into the second leg of the ASEAN Zonal Final needing to win in the Vietnamese capital and threatened the Hanoi goal of several occasions in the first 60 minutes but were unable to find that elusive goal.

Then, shortly after the hour, Pape Omar Faye gave the visitors a mountain to climb as the Senegalese pounced to open the scoring from a few yards out and, ultimately, seal Hanoi’s place in the Inter-Zone semi-finals.

Transfer watch: All of Asia's moves

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Transfer watch: All of Asia's moves

Kuala Lumpur: With the transfer window set to close soon, teams are bolstering their ranks with various national leagues kicking off over the coming days. 

The-AFC.com highlights the ins and outs across the Continent.

East Asia Leagues Wrap: FC Tokyo and Guangzhou Evergrande extend leads

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

East Asia Leagues Wrap: FC Tokyo and Guangzhou Evergrande extend leads

Kuala Lumpur: Seven points is the difference at the top of the J.League and Chinese Super League after FC Tokyo and Guangzhou Evergrande enjoyed excellent weekends. 

Elsewhere in East Asia, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are closing in on Ulsan Hyundai in Korea Republic and things remain neck-and-neck in Chinese Taipei and Mongolia. Here’s our look back at the action across the region.

Central Asia domestic wrap: Pakhtakor extend lead, Kyrgyz League returns with goal glut

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Central Asia domestic wrap: Pakhtakor extend lead, Kyrgyz League returns with goal glut

Kuala Lumpur: Uzbekistan pace-setters Pakhtakor capped an emotional weekend by extending their Super League lead to 13 points, while the Kyrgyz Premier League returned with a deluge of goals as Central Asia’s top-flight competitions continued to take shape.

Elsewhere, Turkmenistan’s FC Shagadam suffered a major setback in their bid for a first title since 2002, while FC Istiklol continued their march towards a sixth successive domestic crown in Tajikistan.

Analysis: Hanoi show class at both ends to advance

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Analysis: Hanoi show class at both ends to advance

Hanoi: Hanoi FC were crowned the 2019 AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal Champions on Wednesday after a 1-0 victory over Vietnam rivals Becamex Binh Duong saw them progress to the Inter-Zone semi-finals 2-0 on aggregate.

But while a league win sandwiched in between the two Continental games made it three victories in eight days over Binh Duong and suggests a comfortable passage to the next round, the capital city side did not have it all their own way.