Europe Wrap: Machino, Lee net first goals

Mon, 21 Sep, 2026

Europe Wrap: Machino, Lee net first goals

Kuala Lumpur: Japan striker Shuto Machino and Korea Republic’s Lee Han-beom had a memorable week when they struck their first goals of the season.

Machino claimed his in the Bundesliga in his second appearance while centreback Lee bagged his first in seven Belgian Pro League showings.

There were also goals and assists for other Continental stars, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.

West Asia Wrap: Al Karma take charge in Iraq; Al Faisaly surge in Jordan

Mon, 21 Sep, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Al Karma take charge in Iraq; Al Faisaly surge in Jordan

Doha: Al Karma are setting the pace in the Iraq Stars League, moving two points clear at the top after edging Zakho.

The race in Jordan is beginning to take shape while the other West Asian leagues were not in action due to the international break.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Issy-Kul, Fergana stream ahead, Istiklol go off track

Mon, 21 Sep, 2026

Central & South Asia Wrap: Issy-Kul, Fergana stream ahead, Istiklol go off track

Bishkek: FC Bars Issyk-Kul and PFC Neftchi stayed on course for second consecutive titles in Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan respectively while FC Istiklol, looking for a 12th straight trophy, saw their championship bid derailed in Tajikistan.

The domestic league in Sri Lanka wrapped up its first round, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.

ASEAN Wrap: Champions set the early pace across region

Mon, 21 Sep, 2026

ASEAN Wrap: Champions set the early pace across region

Kuala Lumpur: Johor Darul Ta’zim continued their perfect start to the Malaysia Super League season with a 3-0 victory over Negeri Sembilan, while defending champions Cong An Ha Noi FC maintained their perfect record with a 3-0 win over Truong Tuoi Dong Nai in Vietnam. 

In Indonesia, defending champions Persib Bandung came from behind to defeat Persijap Jepara 2-1, while Buriram United opened their Thai League 1 title defence with a 1-0 victory over Chonburi.

There was also action in Singapore, Cambodia and the Philippines so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the latest domestic action across ASEAN.

East Asia Wrap: Vissel move top; Zhejiang hit four

Sun, 20 Sep, 2026

East Asia Wrap: Vissel move top; Zhejiang hit four

Hong Kong: Vissel Kobe moved to the top of the J1 League after edging Gamba Osaka, while Kashiwa Reysol climbed to second with victory over Machida Zelvia.

In Korea Republic, leaders FC Seoul and second-placed Ulsan HD FC both suffered defeats, while Zhejiang FC secured a 4-1 win in China PR and HK Rangers collected their first points in Hong Kong.

QF: Late show sees DPR Korea keep title defence on track

Mon, 21 Sep, 2026

QF: Late show sees DPR Korea keep title defence on track

Lodz: DPR Korea struck twice in stoppage time to defeat Canada 2-0 and advance to the semi-finals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026 on Sunday. 

The defending champions were made to work hard by a resilient Canadian side before Choe Rim Jong finally broke the deadlock in the second minute of added time with Ho Kyong sealing the win two minutes later.

QF: Korea Republic 1-3 Italy

Sat, 19 Sep, 2026

QF: Korea Republic 1-3 Italy

Sosnowiec: Korea Republic’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026 campaign came to an end after a 3-1 defeat to Italy in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

A goal in each half from Karen Appiah propelled Italy to victory after a brief fightback from Korea Republic.

R16: DPR Korea 2-0 Japan

Fri, 18 Sep, 2026

R16: DPR Korea 2-0 Japan

Lodz: Quickfire goals sent DPR Korea into the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026 after they defeated reigning Asian champions Japan 2-0 on Thursday.

The Round of 16 win kept DPR Korea on the path to defend their title as they take on Canada - who ousted France 3-1 - on Sunday.

R16: Italy 1 (5)-(4) 1 China PR

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

R16: Italy 1 (5)-(4) 1 China PR

Sosnowiec: China PR's FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Poland 2026 campaign came to a heartbreaking end after losing 5-4 on penalties to Italy following a 1-1 draw in their Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

China PR kept pace through the opening four kicks, but their fifth penalty sailed over the crossbar as Italy advanced to the quarter-finals.

R16: Argentina 0-1 Korea Republic

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

R16: Argentina 0-1 Korea Republic

Sosnowiec: Beom Ye-ju was the hero as Korea Republic upset the odds to defeat Argentina 1-0 on Wednesday to book their place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026 for the first time since 2014.

Korea Republic will now face either Italy or China PR in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

Europe Wrap: Ueda, Sano lead Asian charge

Mon, 14 Sep, 2026

Europe Wrap: Ueda, Sano lead Asian charge

Kuala Lumpur: Samurai Blue striker Ayase Ueda netted in his UEFA Champions League debut for Ligue 1 side Lille while fellow international Kodai Sano struck his first goal of the season for PSV in the Eredivisie. 

There was also an unexpected goalkeeping assist from Japan’s Taishi Nozawa in the Belgian Pro League and other starring Continental performances, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.

West Asia Wrap: Martinelli stars for Al Hilal; Al Sadd continue sizzling form

Mon, 14 Sep, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Martinelli stars for Al Hilal; Al Sadd continue sizzling form

Doha: Gabriel Martinelli scored a hat-trick as Al Hilal SFC swept to a 6-0 win against Al Taawoun on Saturday to stay top in the Saudi Pro League.

Al Sadd SC moved two points clear in Qatar while Al Jazira and Al Ain FC dropped points for the first time in UAE.

There were also matches in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Oman so join the-AFC.com in our weekly review of the domestic action across West Asia.