Group C: Air Force Club end in style

Tue, 05 Dec, 2023

Group C: Air Force Club end in style

Erbil: Air Force Club wrapped up their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 campaign with a comfortable 3-2 win against visitors AGMK FC of Uzbekistan in their final Group C outing at Franso Hariri Stadium on Monday.

Saad Abdulameer opened the scoring for the Iraqi side in the 14th minute before Franco Atchou’s stunning strike increased their lead a minute later. Mohammed Qasim then added a third before AGMK tried to find a way back with goals from Mirjakhon Mirakhmadov and Martin Boakye, but their comeback fell short.

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Preview - Group E: FC Istiklol (TJK) v Al Nassr (KSA)

Mon, 04 Dec, 2023

Preview - Group E: FC Istiklol (TJK) v Al Nassr (KSA)

Dushanbe: FC Istiklol could be in for a long night when they host Al Nassr in Group E of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Tuesday.

Although Al Nassr are confirmed as the group winners, Cristiano Ronaldo's side are hurting after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Al Hilal SFC in a Saudi Pro League 2023/24 tie on Friday. 

Preview - Group E: Persepolis FC (IRN) v Al Duhail SC (QAT)

Mon, 04 Dec, 2023

Preview - Group E: Persepolis FC (IRN) v Al Duhail SC (QAT)

Tehran: Persepolis FC have to defeat Al Duhail SC on Tuesday if the Islamic Republic of Iran side are to stand a chance of advancing to the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16.

With Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia having already confirmed the Group E top spot, the only route open for Persepolis is by finishing among the three best second-placed teams from the West Zone.

Preview - Group A: Ahal FC (TKM) v Al Ain FC (UAE)

Mon, 04 Dec, 2023

Preview - Group A: Ahal FC (TKM) v Al Ain FC (UAE)

Ashgabat: Ahal FC will aim to conclude their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group A campaign with a win over Al Ain FC on Tuesday.

Despite having been eliminated, the Turkmenistan side will relish the opportunity of defeating an Al Ain side who confirmed the Group A top with two matches in hand.

Preview - Group A: Pakhtakor FC (UZB) v Al Fayha (KSA)

Mon, 04 Dec, 2023

Preview - Group A: Pakhtakor FC (UZB) v Al Fayha (KSA)

Tashkent: Pakhtakor FC's AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 hopes depend on the Uzbekistan side defeating Al Fayha in their final Group A match on Tuesday.

A slow start has cost Paktakor dearly, with even a win against Saudi Arabia's Al Fayha not necessarily enough for them to advance to the Round of 16.

Player to Watch: Maty Ryan (Australia)

Mon, 04 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Maty Ryan (Australia)

Kuala Lumpur: Since making his international debut for Australia against DPR Korea in December 2012, Socceroos captain and goalkeeper Maty Ryan has been no stranger to success.

The 31-year-old former Central Coast Mariners man was between the posts when Ange Postecoglou led the country to their first AFC Asian Cup™ title on home soil in 2015 and he has been a mainstay of the squad that has qualified for each of the last three FIFA World Cup finals.
 
But for all that time at the summit of Asian football, Ryan has not had his thirst for glory quenched and when the Australians roll up in Qatar to launch their latest challenge to claim the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar in January, Ryan will be man leading the Socceroos’ charge.

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal in control; Al Sadd narrow gap

Mon, 04 Dec, 2023

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal in control; Al Sadd narrow gap

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC look unstoppable in the Saudi Pro League 2023/24 after registering a highly significant win on Friday. 

The four-time Asian champions extended their lead to seven points with a 3-0 victory over Al Nassr last Friday.
 
In Qatar, Al Sadd narrowed the gap with Al Gharafa to just one point while Al Wasl have a five-point lead in the UAE Pro League. 
 
There were also matches in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon and Syria so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across West Asia.

ASEAN Wrap: Teerasil stars in BG Pathum’s late comeback; Selangor make it to Asia

Mon, 04 Dec, 2023

ASEAN Wrap: Teerasil stars in BG Pathum’s late comeback; Selangor make it to Asia

Kuala Lumpur: Teerasil Dangda scored twice late on as BG Pathum United came from two goals down to defeat Port FC 3-2 on Saturday, but Bangkok United still have a two-point advantage at the top in Thailand after a narrow 1-0 win against PT Prachuap. 

Tan Cheng Hoe’s Selangor FC booked a place in the group stage of next season’s AFC Champions League™ 2 after a 1-0 defeat of Kedah Darul Aman helped them secure second place with one game remaining of the league campaign in Malaysia. 
 
Sydney FC defeated Perth Glory 3-2 in a thriller as Wellington Phoenix emerged as new leaders in Australia while matches also took place in Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from ASEAN.

Central & South Asian Wrap: Istiklol edge closer, Goa return to the top

Mon, 04 Dec, 2023

Central & South Asian Wrap: Istiklol edge closer, Goa return to the top

Rudaki: FC Istiklol only need one point from their remaining three matches to retain the Tajikistan Higher League title after another win in the Championship Round.

In the Indian Super League, FC Goa secured two wins the past week to overtake Kerala Blasters at the top of the standings.

Action also took place in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Bhutan and Maldives, so join the-AFC.com as we recap the latest from Central and South Asia.

East Asia Wrap: Gangwon draw sends Bluewings down; Sanfrecce pip Urawa

Mon, 04 Dec, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Gangwon draw sends Bluewings down; Sanfrecce pip Urawa

Hong Kong: Four-time champions Suwon Samsung Bluewings were relegated in Korea Republic for the first time in their history after a goalless draw to fellow strugglers Gangwon FC on the final day on Saturday saw them finish bottom and end their 28-year stay in the top division.

In Japan, Sanfrecce Hiroshima qualified for next season’s AFC Champions League™ 2 with a dramatic 1-0 win against Avispa Fukuoka, while Yokohama FC finished last following a 2-1 defeat to Kashima Antlers in their final outing and were relegated to the second tier. 
 
Tainan City FC successfully completed their title defence in Chinese Taipei with two matches to spare while holders Kitchee SC stayed within touching distance of leaders Lee Man FC in Hong Kong, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.