'Be patient, and never think it's over': Match Predictor champion Kaveh on winning the 2025/26 title and the new Matchday format

Sat, 10 Oct, 2026

'Be patient, and never think it's over': Match Predictor champion Kaveh on winning the 2025/26 title and the new Matchday format

Kuala Lumpur: Kaveh topped thousands of players to win the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Match Predictor. Ahead of his title defence, the Sydney-based engineer explains how he won, why the new format has him playing aggressively, and what it takes to beat him.

Born in the Islamic Republic of Iran and now living in Australia, Kaveh has followed Asian football closely for a long time. A former amateur football coach who now works in engineering, he brought a numbers-first approach to the Match Predictor last season, and it took him all the way to the top of the leaderboard.

#ACLElite - MD2: 5 things to look out for

Sat, 10 Oct, 2026

#ACLElite - MD2: 5 things to look out for

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Two of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/2027™ beckons as the 32 clubs resume their bids for continental glory following the three-week international break.

A pulsating opening round of games left several teams having to already play catch-up, ensuring the upcoming matchday will have plenty of thrills and spills.

The-AFC.com highlights five things to look out for with matches to be played across the continent from Monday to Wednesday.

Player to watch: Gulzhigit Alykulov (KGZ)

Fri, 09 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Gulzhigit Alykulov (KGZ)

Kuala Lumpur: An ever-present member of the Kyrgyz Republic squad throughout the Qualifiers, Gulzhigit Alykulov is primed to make a strong impression at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Featuring in five of the six matches in Group D of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2, Alykulov scored the vital equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Malaysia to enable Kyrgyz Republic to pip the Southeast Asian side to second place behind Oman, thus booking their ticket to the Finals.

Player to watch: Omar Khrbin (SYR)

Thu, 08 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Omar Khrbin (SYR)

Kuala Lumpur: Proven striker Omar Khrbin will be central to Syria’s hopes when the Qasioun Eagles compete for continental glory at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The 2017 AFC Player of the Year – the first Syria footballer to win the award - combines fluid movement, composure and an eye for goal and remains one of his country’s most influential attacking players.

Japan impress; frustration for Australia

Sat, 10 Oct, 2026

Japan impress; frustration for Australia

Kuala Lumpur: Japan produced a five-star performance as they handed Haiti a 5-1 defeat in their international women’s friendly on Friday.

Strikes from Kiko Seike (26th), Maika Hamano (33rd) and Yui Hasegawa (38th) gave the Asian champions a 3-1 lead at the break before Remina Chiba (57th) and Maya Hijikata (81st) put further shine on the victory.

Russia too strong for India

Fri, 09 Oct, 2026

Russia too strong for India

Kolkata: India suffered a 4-0 defeat to Russia in their women’s international friendly at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan on Thursday.

Iana Sheina gave Russia the lead shortly before the break before substitute Kira Petukhova struck twice in five second-half minutes, with Iana Svistunova completing the victory nine minutes from time.