Vietnam hold off Thailand to clinch title

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

Vietnam hold off Thailand to clinch title

Hanoi: Vietnam retained their ASEAN Championship title on Wednesday as Kim Sang-sik’s side twice battled back to draw 2-2 with Thailand in Hanoi to complete a 4-2 aggregate win over the seven-times champions.

Yotsakon Burapha struck in the 12th minute to pull Thailand back into the tie after losing 2-0 in the first leg in Bangkok but an own goal by Chatchai Bootprom saw Vietnam level in the 52nd minute, three minutes after Thailand’s Kakana Khamyol had fired a penalty over the bar.

 

Wanchai Jarunongkran gave Thailand late hope when he netted in the 84th minute, only to put the ball in his own net with virtually the last kick of the game to hand Vietnam a draw that completed their title defence.

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New pastures for Fujio, Al Obud

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

New pastures for Fujio, Al Obud

Kuala Lumpur: Shota Fujio completed a permanent move to Kashiwa Reysol from FC Machida Zelvia after two seasons with the club.

Over in Saudi Arabia, Abdulrahman Al Oboud was confirmed as Al Shabab FC’s new signing.

Arnold promises a strong Iraq

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

Arnold promises a strong Iraq

Baghdad: Graham Arnold has vowed that Iraq will work to be a force in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ after the Australian signed a contract extension as head coach on Monday.

The new contract will see the tactician in charge of Iraq for September's Gulf Cup and the continental showpiece in January, with Arnold signing a six-month extension although the Iraq Football Association had offered a four-year deal

Europe Wrap: Dream La Liga start for Lee

Tue, 25 Aug, 2026

Europe Wrap: Dream La Liga start for Lee

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic’s Lee Kang-in netted on his debut for Atletico Madrid as the midfielder joined Saudi Arabia’s Saud Abdulhamid, Syria's Aiham Ousou and Japan’s Ayumu Yokoyama in scoring their first goals of the season.

Other Asian stars also made first appearances as the English Premier League, French Ligue 1, Italy’s Serie A and Spain’s La Liga kicked off their 2026/27 season, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.

Machida snap up Ogawa; Larsson completes Al Ettifaq move

Tue, 25 Aug, 2026

Machida snap up Ogawa; Larsson completes Al Ettifaq move

Kuala Lumpur: Japan international Koki Ogawa has returned home to join FC Machida Zelvia while Jordan Larsson has made the switch to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ettifaq.

UAE side Al Wasl were also active with the signing of Croatian goalkeeper Dinko Horkas, while Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC bolstered their squads ahead of the new Australian season.

West Asia Wrap: Al Nassr set early pace; winning start for Al Sadd

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Al Nassr set early pace; winning start for Al Sadd

Doha: Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal of the season as champions Al Nassr Club cruised to a 4-0 win against Al Riyadh in their Saudi Pro League 2026/27 tie.

Akram Afif also got his first of the season as defending champions Al Sadd SC kicked off their new campaign with a 3-1 defeat of Al Ahli.

Defending champions Al Ain were among four teams who won their second successive matches in the UAE Pro League while Air Force SC had to settle for a second draw in as many matches.