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.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_matchday_six_preview.html

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.

Japanese football great Shinji Ono retires at 44

Mon, 04 Dec, 2023

Japanese football great Shinji Ono retires at 44

Sapporo: Japanese great Shinji Ono retired from football at the age of 44 on Sunday, ending a career that saw him become the first player from his country to win a European club trophy.

Ono was part of the Feyenoord team that beat Borussia Dortmund in the 2002 UEFA Cup final, during a successful four-year stint with the Dutch club.
 
Nicknamed "Genius", Ono made his international debut as an 18-year-old and played for Japan at the FIFA World Cup in France 1998 two months later.