Group H: Sabah FC (MAS) 3-1 Hougang United (SGP)

Fri, 22 Sep, 2023

Group H: Sabah FC (MAS) 3-1 Hougang United (SGP)

Kota Kinabalu: A Darren Lok brace helped Sabah FC get their maiden AFC Cup™ campaign off to a winning start following a commanding 3-1 win over Singapore’s Hougang United in Group H on Wednesday.

The Malaysian side took an early lead at Likas Stadium through Gabriel Peres and went into the interval two up after Lok doubled their advantage eight minutes before half-time.  

Kazuma Takayama pulled one back for Hougang just after the hour but Lok’s second soon after restored Sabah’s two-goal cushion as they saw out a comfortable victory.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2979705.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2979707.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2979709.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2979711.html

Group H: Hai Phong FC (VIE) 3-0 PSM Makassar (IDN)

Fri, 22 Sep, 2023

Group H: Hai Phong FC (VIE) 3-0 PSM Makassar (IDN)

Hai Phong: Vietnam’s Haiphong FC made a winning start to their AFC Cup™ 2023-24 campaign against PSM Makassar on Thursday as Chu Dinh Nghiem’s side notched up a comfortable 3-0 win over the Indonesians in their Group H opener at Lach Tray Stadium.

Haiphong took the lead in the eighth minute when the unfortunate Erwin Guawa turned the ball into his own net as he retreated to cover Nguyen Trong Dai’s testing cross from the right, giving goalkeeper Muhammad Reza Pratama little chance.

Group E: FK Abdysh-Ata Kant (KGZ) 3-0 Altyn Asyr FC (TKM)

Fri, 22 Sep, 2023

Group E: FK Abdysh-Ata Kant (KGZ) 3-0 Altyn Asyr FC (TKM)

Bishkek: FC Abdysh-Ata marked their AFC Cup™ debut with a famous 3-0 victory over Turkmen powerhouse Altyn Asyr at Dolen Omurzakov in Group E of the 2023/24 edition on Thursday.

Despite their vastly superior experience in the competition, Altyn Asyr were second best throughout as they made their seventh appearance in the AFC Cup, losing for the first time in their 11th match against a side from the Kyrgyz Republic.

Group F: Shan United FC (MYA) 0-3 Macarthur FC (AUS)

Fri, 22 Sep, 2023

Group F: Shan United FC (MYA) 0-3 Macarthur FC (AUS)

Yangon: Australia’s Macarthur FC kicked off their AFC Cup™ 2023/2024 Group F campaign with a 3-0 win over Myanmar’s Shan United at the Thuwunna Stadium on Thursday.

The Australian side’s patient approach paid huge dividends as they took an early advantage in the race to advance to the knockout stage. 

Group F: Dynamic Herb Cebu FC (PHI) 0-3 Phnom Penh Crown FC (CAM)

Fri, 22 Sep, 2023

Group F: Dynamic Herb Cebu FC (PHI) 0-3 Phnom Penh Crown FC (CAM)

Manila: Phnom Penh Crown FC of Cambodia gave their quest for a place in the ASEAN Zonal semi-finals a big boost after defeating Philippines’ Dynamic Herb Cebu FC 3-0 in Group F of the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 on Thursday.

Making their second appearance in the competition, Phnom Penh dominated from the start at the Rizal Memorial Stadium to walk away with a comfortable three points. 

Group I: Must CPK (Mac) 0-1 Taichung Futuro FC (TPE)

Fri, 22 Sep, 2023

Group I: Must CPK (Mac) 0-1 Taichung Futuro FC (TPE)

Macau: Chinese Taipei’s Taichung Futuro registered a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Must CPK of Macau to begin their AFC Cup™ 2023/24 campaign in Group I on a winning note at Macau Olympic Stadium on Thursday.

In a battle between two sides making their first appearance in the group stage, an own goal from CPK’s Portuguese-born defender Filipe Duarte in the second minute proved to be the difference and handed Taichung a dream debut in the tournament.

Group I: FC Ulaanbaatar (MNG) 3-1 Tainan City FC (TPE)

Fri, 22 Sep, 2023

Group I: FC Ulaanbaatar (MNG) 3-1 Tainan City FC (TPE)

Ulaanbaatar: Dusan Cirkovic scored a superb goal as Mongolia's FC Ulaanbaatar defeated Chinese Taipei's Tainan City FC 3-1 in their AFC Cup™ 2023/24 tie at the MFF Stadium on Thursday.

Tied 1-1, Serbian defender Cirkovic's rasping shot from the edge of the box in the 63rd minute put Ulaanbaatar ahead with Sasa Toefanov’s late goal sealing the three points. 

Totchtawan's tinkering steers Bangkok United past Sailors

Thu, 21 Sep, 2023

Totchtawan's tinkering steers Bangkok United past Sailors

Singapore: Tactical changes paved the way for Bangkok United FC's come from behind 2-1 win over Lion City Sailors in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group F opener on Wednesday.

The Singaporean side had taken a first half lead through Diego Lopes at the Jalan Besar Stadium but goals from Everton and Thitiphan Puangjan saw Bangkok United walk away with the points.

Wuhan's Tsutomu hails players, Skorza rues slow Urawa start

Thu, 21 Sep, 2023

Wuhan's Tsutomu hails players, Skorza rues slow Urawa start

Wuhan: Head coach Takahata Tsutomu praised his Wuhan Three Towns players despite the Chinese Super League side being forced to settle for a draw by a late Urawa Red Diamonds equaliser in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group J tie on Wednesday.

Wuhan looked set to mark their continental debut with a famous win after goals by Zhang Xiaobin and Davidson had given the reigning Chinese champions a 2-1 lead with the match in stoppage time.
 
Substitute Jose Kante, however, salvaged a point for defending champions Urawa of Japan in the fourth minute of added time. 

Japan move up to 19th to remain Asia's top side

Thu, 21 Sep, 2023

Japan move up to 19th to remain Asia's top side

Kuala Lumpur: Japan moved up one spot to 19th in the latest FIFA Men's World Ranking released on Thursday.

Wins against Germany and Turkiye in the recent international break consolidated Japan's position as Asia's highest ranked national team.