LATEST NEWS - FFT

Central & South Asia Wrap: Tantalising title decider in India

Mon, 15 Apr, 2024

Central & South Asia Wrap: Tantalising title decider in India

Mumbai: Mumbai City FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant set up a mouth-watering final day League Shield face-off to decide the winners of the Indian Super League. 

It remained neck and neck in the Iran Pro League with Esteghlal FC and Persepolis FC both picking up victories in the latest round of matches while in Turkmenistan, FK Arkadag continued their fine start to the season.
 
Join the-AFC.com as we recap the past week’s domestic league action from Central and South Asia.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Esteghlal lose ground as Persepolis close in

Mon, 08 Apr, 2024

Central & South Asia Wrap: Esteghlal lose ground as Persepolis close in

Tehran: League leaders Esteghlal dropped points but stayed top of the Iran Pro League, while Mumbai City FC maintained their lead over Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the Indian Super League.

Elsewhere, there was no stopping Bashundhara Kings in Bangladesh while FK Andijan stayed top in Uzbekistan, so join the AFC.com as we recap the past week’s domestic league action from Central and South Asia.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Chennaiyin stun Mohun Bagan Super Giant; Bashundhara Kings in cruise control

Mon, 01 Apr, 2024

Central & South Asia Wrap: Chennaiyin stun Mohun Bagan Super Giant; Bashundhara Kings in cruise control

Kolkata: Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s title aspirations took a hit as they fell to a 3-2 defeat against Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League with leaders Mumbai FC keeping top spot after their 4-1 win against NorthEast United.

In Bangladesh, Bashundhara Kings extended their lead at the top, while Neftchi Fergana held on to pole position despite defeat in the Uzbekistan Super League.

Arkadag, meanwhile, recorded their third consecutive victory in Turkmenistan’s Yokary Liga, so join the-AFC.com as we recap all the domestic league action from Central and South Asia.

Group E: Turkmenistan 0-1 IR Iran

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Group E: Turkmenistan 0-1 IR Iran

Ashgabat: Islamic Republic of Iran advanced to the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and booked their place at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ after defeating Turkmenistan 1-0 in Group E of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 on Tuesday.

Coach Amir Ghalenoei’s men had strolled to a 5-0 victory when the two teams met at Azadi Stadium on Thursday and following Uzbekistan's win over Hong Kong, China earlier in the day, they needed just a win to confirm qualification.

Preview - Group E: Uzbekistan v Hong Kong, China; Turkmenistan v IR Iran

Mon, 25 Mar, 2024

Preview - Group E: Uzbekistan v Hong Kong, China; Turkmenistan v IR Iran

Ashgabat: Islamic Republic of Iran will aim to confirm their place in the next stage when they face Turkmenistan in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group E match in Ashgabat on Tuesday.

Iran will go into the tie with confidence, having defeated Turkmenistan 5-0 on Thursday, but forward Mehdi Taremi has warned against complacency.

Group E: IR Iran 5-0 Turkmenistan

Fri, 22 Mar, 2024

Group E: IR Iran 5-0 Turkmenistan

Tehran: Defender Hossein Kanani scored twice as the Islamic Republic of Iran cruised to a 5-0 win over Turkmenistan in Tehran on Thursday to stay on top of Group E of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Sardar Azmoun, Mohammad Mohebi and Omid Noorafkan were also on target at the Azadi Stadium for Team Melli, who joined Uzbekistan on seven points from three games with Amir Ghalenoi’s side leading the standings on goal-difference at the halfway point.
 
The Iranians will next travel to Ashgabat to face Turkmenistan again on Tuesday when victory would be enough to guarantee their progress to the next phase of the preliminaries.

Preview - Group E: Hong Kong, China v Uzbekistan; IR Iran v Turkmenistan

Fri, 15 Mar, 2024

Preview - Group E: Hong Kong, China v Uzbekistan; IR Iran v Turkmenistan

Kuala Lumpur: Uzbekistan will welcome back star forward Eldor Shomurodov for the first of two matches against Hong Kong, China in Group E of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The AS Roma player, currently on loan at Cagliari, missed the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ through injury but is available again to give Srecko Katanec more attacking options.

Having collected four points from their opening two matches, head coach Katanec is determined for Uzbekistan to collect maximum points from their double header with Hong Kong, China.  

Central & South Asia Wrap: Esteghlal keep Persepolis at bay; Mumbai City scale summit

Mon, 18 Mar, 2024

Central & South Asia Wrap: Esteghlal keep Persepolis at bay; Mumbai City scale summit

Tehran:  Esteghlal remain in pole position in the Iran Pro League, maintaining their three-point lead over Persepolis.

In the Indian Super League, Mumbai City went top and FC Goa earned a qualification into the playoffs, while Neftchi Fergana took charge of the Uzbekistan Super League. 

In Turkmenistan, FC Ashgabat closed in on leaders FC Ahal, so join the-AFC.com as we recap all the past week's action from Central and South Asia.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Esteghlal, Persepolis tied at the top; Mohun Bagan earn playoffs berth

Mon, 11 Mar, 2024

Central & South Asia Wrap: Esteghlal, Persepolis tied at the top; Mohun Bagan earn playoffs berth

New Delhi: Esteghlal and Persepolis won their respective matches to remain on top and second respectively while Sepahan suffered a shock defeat to 13th placed Paykan in the Iran Pro League.

In India, Mohun Bagan Super Giant won the Kolkata Derby to go top of the Indian Super League table and earn qualification into the playoffs, while in Uzbekistan, Neftchi Fergana are the pacesetters.  

Central & South Asia Wrap: Kerala Blasters, Esteghlal end year on top

Mon, 01 Jan, 2024

Central & South Asia Wrap: Kerala Blasters, Esteghlal end year on top

Kolkata: Kerala Blasters defeated Mohun Bagan Super Giant to seal a return to the top of the table in the Indian Super League but are followed closely by FC Goa and Odisha FC.

The final week of 2023 saw matches taking place in Islamic Republic of Iran, Turkmenistan and Bangladesh, so join the-AFC.com as we recap the domestic action from Central and South Asia.

Central & South Asian Wrap: Arkadag lift Turkmenistan Cup

Mon, 25 Dec, 2023

Central & South Asian Wrap: Arkadag lift Turkmenistan Cup

Arkadag: The Turkmenistan Cup has new champions after FC Arkadag beat Ahal FC to lift the trophy at their first attempt to secure their second major honour of the 2023 season.

In the Iran Pro League, the race remained as tight as ever with Esteghlal FC, Sepahan FC and Persepolis FC only separated by four points at the top of the standings after a busy week.

Matches also took place in Tajikistan, India and Maldives, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the league action from Central and South Asia.

Central & South Asian Wrap: Sepahan close in on Esteghlal

Mon, 18 Dec, 2023

Central & South Asian Wrap: Sepahan close in on Esteghlal

Isfahan: Sepahan SC showed that they mean business after a solid win against Foolad enabled them to cut two points off Esteghlal FC’s lead in the Iran Pro League.

Over in Tajikistan, recently crowned champions FC Istiklol closed out their season with two wins while FC Arkadag’s search for perfection in the Turkmenistan Yokary Liga continues.

League action also took place in India and Maldives, so join the-AFC.com as we look back on a week of incredible action from Central and South Asia.