Preview: Kashiwa Reysol (JPN) v Port FC (THA)

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Preview: Kashiwa Reysol (JPN) v Port FC (THA)

Kashiwa: It will be a meeting between two teams who lost their opening day encounters when Kashiwa Reysol (JPN) host Port FC in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/2027™ on Wednesday.

Both lost by 2-1 margins, making the tie at the Kashiwa Soccer Stadium a must-win affair.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-preview-matchday-two-1

Europe Wrap: Yang, Kamada and Goto net first goals

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Europe Wrap: Yang, Kamada and Goto net first goals

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic U23 winger Yang Min-hyeok and Japan internationals Daichi Kamada and Keisuke Goto struck their first goals of the season right after the international break - Yang in the Belgian Pro League, Kamada in the English Premier League and Goto in the Bundesliga. 

There were also goals - albeit at the wrong end of the pitch - for Japan’s Kota Takai and Shogo Taniguchi in their match for Sint-Truiden in Belgium, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.

Player to watch: Rustam Yatimov (TJK)

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Rustam Yatimov (TJK)

Kuala Lumpur: Goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov will look to duplicate his 2023 heroics in Qatar when Tajikistan return to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™. 

A standout during the Central Asia side’s historic debut in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, Yatimov was instrumental in their run to the knockout stage, where he made the only save in a decisive 5-3 penalty shootout against the United Arab Emirates’ Caio Canedo to seal a memorable Round of 16 victory.

Player to watch: Nestory Irankunda (AUS)

Sun, 11 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Nestory Irankunda (AUS)

Kuala Lumpur: Since introducing himself to the Australian public in spectacular fashion more than four years ago, Nestory Irankunda has become the next great hope in a Socceroos side that is beginning to draw favourable comparisons to the country’s golden generation.

Born in a Tanzanian refugee camp to Burundian parents fleeing civil war in their homeland, Irankunda moved to Australia when he was three months old and started his journey towards the summit of the game at Adelaide United’s academy.

Sanchez to steer Bahrain

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Sanchez to steer Bahrain

Manama: Felix Sanchez has taken charge of Bahrain, with the Spaniard set to lead the West Asian nation at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Sanchez replaces Dragan Talajic, who parted ways with Bahrain following the recent Gulf Cup.

Know your team: China PR

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Know your team: China PR

Kuala Lumpur: China PR will relish testing their mettle at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2027 as they look to improve on last year’s Round of 16 appearance.

Semi-finalists at the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026™ in May, China PR showed they have the ability to trouble any team as they put eventual champions DPR Korea to the sternest of tests before bowing out.