Group A: Vietnam sizzle against Indonesia; victory for Cambodia

Mon, 03 Aug, 2026

Group A: Vietnam sizzle against Indonesia; victory for Cambodia

Cibinong: Defending champions Vietnam claimed a statement 3-0 win over hosts Indonesia in the ASEAN Championship 2026 on Monday as Kim Sang-sik’s side moved to the top of the Group A standings with one round of matches remaining.

Goals from Nguyen Van Vi and Nguyen Hai Long gave the title holders a two-goal lead inside the first 15 minutes and Nguyen Xuan Son completed the win when he slotted home in the 71st minute to take Vietnam into pole position in the standings.

Vietnam move ahead of Singapore on goal-difference while Indonesia drop to third, one point adrift of the lead duo ahead of their clash with the Singaporeans on Friday. Vietnam will play Cambodia in the final group match with the top two advancing to the semi-finals.

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Donis confident of Saudi Arabia's chances

Mon, 03 Aug, 2026

Donis confident of Saudi Arabia's chances

Riyadh: Georgios Donis fully comprehends the weight of the responsibility on his shoulders as he looks to lead Saudi Arabia to their first AFC Asian Cup™ title in more than 30 years in the 2027 edition in January.

Donis, who hails from Greece and was appointed last April ahead of Saudi Arabia’s FIFA World Cup 2026 challenge, believes his long-standing knowledge and experience in West Asia puts him in good stead for what lies ahead.

Abu Jazar wants Palestine to soar higher

Sun, 02 Aug, 2026

Abu Jazar wants Palestine to soar higher

Riyadh: Ihab Abu Jazar is coming close to two years being in charge of the Palestine national team and it has been a period where the head coach can look back on fondly and also be encouraged of what’s to come.

Qualification to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ was achieved after the West Asian side finished second behind Australia in Group I of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Central, South & West Asia Wrap: Al Ansar emerge Lebanese champions; Istiklol crash to first defeat in Tajikistan

Mon, 03 Aug, 2026

Central, South & West Asia Wrap: Al Ansar emerge Lebanese champions; Istiklol crash to first defeat in Tajikistan

Bishkek: Al Ansar lifted the Lebanese Premier League title with victory over Nejmeh as the much-delayed 2025/26 season finally concluded on Sunday. 

FC Istiklol fell to their first Tajik League defeat in 12 outings while Neftchi Fergana saw their lead in the Uzbekistan Super League whittled down to a point.
 
Reigning Durand Cup champions NorthEast United FC opened their title defence with an emphatic win in India, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central, South and West Asia.

East Asia Wrap: Chengdu held again; Ulsan climb to second

Mon, 03 Aug, 2026

East Asia Wrap: Chengdu held again; Ulsan climb to second

Seoul: Chengdu Rongcheng were forced to settle for another draw but remain top of the Chinese Super League while Qingdao West Coast climbed to second

Ulsan HD continued their resurgence in Korea Republic to move into second place. Join the-AFC.com as we review the past week's domestic action across East Asia.

JDT nab Stoichkov; Ha Noi add Jung

Sun, 02 Aug, 2026

JDT nab Stoichkov; Ha Noi add Jung

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim have further strengthened their squad with the arrival of forward Juan Diego Molina Martinez - also known as Stoichkov.

Head coach Xisco Munoz can look to the 32-year-old former Granada CF player to boost the squad for their domestic competitions as well as the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™after their historic run to the quarter-finals last season.