Vote for your NEOM Future Stars of the Season

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Vote for your NEOM Future Stars of the Season

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 not only crowned first time winners in Al Ahli Saudi FC but also showcased a new generation of footballers who put in some game-changing displays to make their mark on Asia’s premier club competition. 

So now it’s time for you, the fans, to celebrate the future of Asian football by voting for your NEOM Future Stars of the Season. We've shortlisted 10 players who lit up the competition and your vote will now decide who was the season’s standout youngster.  

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Vote for the best goal from the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals

Wed, 28 May, 2025

Vote for the best goal from the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals 2025 came to a thrilling conclusion as Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli Saudi FC emerged as the inaugural winners of the revamped competition by defeating Kawasaki Frontale of Japan in the final in Jeddah.  

A total of 31 goals were scored from seven matches played during the Finals of Asia’s premier club competition but it’s now time for you, the fans, to pick the best among these 10 goals – presented by VISA – by casting your votes. 

Europe Wrap: A season to remember for Lee’s PSG

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Europe Wrap: A season to remember for Lee’s PSG

Kuala Lumpur: Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in has become the second Korea Republic international to win the UEFA Champions League after his side routed Italian side Inter 5-0. The 24-year-old follows in the footsteps of Park Ji-sung, who won the 2008 trophy with Manchester United. 

There was also playoff action in the Scottish Premiership and Ligue 1 for some of the Continent’s top professionals, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe this past week.

New tacticians on crucial missions

Mon, 02 Jun, 2025

New tacticians on crucial missions

Kuala Lumpur: All eyes will be on a trio of head coaches as the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 approaches its climax with the final two matchdays.

Three teams will be led by new tacticians, with two still in the running for an automatic spot at the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

#AsianQualifiers - MD9: How its stands

Sun, 01 Jun, 2025

#AsianQualifiers - MD9: How its stands

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 enters its home stretch with the final two matchdays to be played over the coming days.

With Islamic Republic of Iran and Japan having already confirmed their tickets to next year's Finals, only four automatic spots remain up for grabs. 

An additional two will be at stake in the playoffs, setting the stage for no-holds barred contests. The-AFC.com takes a look at the state of play in each of the three groups.

Capellas steps down as Philippines head coach

Sun, 01 Jun, 2025

Capellas steps down as Philippines head coach

Manila: Albert Capellas has resigned as head coach of the Philippines citing personal reasons ahead of the Southeast Asian nation’s AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ qualifier against Tajikistan on June 10.

Capellas, who took over from Tom Saintfiet in September and led the Philippines to the semi-finals of the ASEAN Football Federation Championship three months later, will be replaced on an interim basis by his assistant coach, Carles Cuadrat.

Australia, Thailand shine; Korea Republic held; Japan fall

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Australia, Thailand shine; Korea Republic held; Japan fall

Canberra: Amy Sayer starred with a brace as Australia cruised 4-1 past Argentina in an international friendly on Monday.

Korea Republic were held 1-1 draw by Colombia, Thailand defeated Nepal 2-0 and Japan suffered a 2-1 defeat against Brazil. Lebanon, meanwhile, edged Palestine 2-1 in a friendly played on Sunday.

Montemurro named new Matildas head coach

Mon, 02 Jun, 2025

Montemurro named new Matildas head coach

Sydney: Former Arsenal, Juventus and Lyon boss Joe Montemurro has been named the new head coach of Australia’s women’s team, and will lead the Matildas in their attempt to win the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ when the country hosts the championship next March.

The 55-year-old takes over as the long-term replacement for Tony Gustavsson and his appointment ends a 10-month search for a full-time head coach by Football Australia, with Tom Sermanni having served as the team’s interim boss.

East Asia Wrap: Kashima extend lead; Jeonbuk go top; Eastern lift silverware

Sun, 01 Jun, 2025

East Asia Wrap: Kashima extend lead; Jeonbuk go top; Eastern lift silverware

Hong Kong: League leaders continued to assert dominance in Japan and Korea Republic, with Kashima Antlers edging further ahead in the J1 League and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors dethroning Ulsan HD at the K League summit.

In Hong Kong, Eastern FC stormed to FA Cup glory with a stunning second-half comeback, while CPK pulled clear at the top in Macau.

Join the-AFC.com as we round up all the key results across East Asia.

West Asia Wrap: Benzema stars as Al Ittihad complete double

Sun, 01 Jun, 2025

West Asia Wrap: Benzema stars as Al Ittihad complete double

Jeddah: Karim Benzema starred with a brace as Al Ittihad completed the double with a 3-1 win over Al Qadsiah in the Saudi King's Cup final on Friday.

The curtain came down on the Bahraini Premier League as champions Muharraq Club concluded their campaign with a 2-0 win against A'Ali.
 
The-AFC.com reviews the past week's domestic action across West Asia with the season winding down.

ASEAN Wrap: Melbourne City crowned champions; clean sweep for Lion City Sailors

Sun, 01 Jun, 2025

ASEAN Wrap: Melbourne City crowned champions; clean sweep for Lion City Sailors

Kuala Lumpur: Melbourne City claimed their second  A-League title after beating crosstown rivals Melbourne Victory in the Grand Final on Saturday.

Lion City Sailors FC capped an amazing season with victory in the Singapore Cup while Nam Dinh are within touching distance of retaining their title in Vietnam.
 
The-AFC.com takes a look at the past week's domestic action across ASEAN.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Esteghlal claim record eighth Hazfi Cup; curtain falls on Bangladesh Premier League

Sun, 01 Jun, 2025

Central & South Asia Wrap: Esteghlal claim record eighth Hazfi Cup; curtain falls on Bangladesh Premier League

Dhaka: Esteghlal FC defeated Malavan in dramatic fashion to win the Hazfi Cup in the Islamic Republic of Iran while champions Mohammedan SC closed their campaign in the Bangladesh Football Premier League in style.

FC Arkadag continued their brilliant run in Turkmenistan’s Yokary Liga while the leagues in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan continued to gain traction, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the domestic action across Central and South Asia this past week.