LATEST NEWS - AIFF

Central & South Asia Wrap: Tractor, Fergana on shaky ground; Paro defend title

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Central & South Asia Wrap: Tractor, Fergana on shaky ground; Paro defend title

Tehran: Tractor FC of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Neftchi Fergana in Uzbekistan saw their respective title defences come under threat following a winless week for both sides.

The Indian Super League and Bangladesh Football Premier League both kicked off as Paro FC wrapped up the Bhutan Premier League championship for the sixth straight time, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.

India go down to Russia again

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

India go down to Russia again

Kolkata: India suffered an 8-0 defeat to Russia in their second women’s international friendly at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan on Sunday.

Darina Ishmukhametova, Marine Achoian and Natalia Mashina scored twice each as the visitors followed up Thursday’s 4-0 victory with another convincing display.

#U17WAC - China 2027 cast finalised

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

#U17WAC - China 2027 cast finalised

Kuala Lumpur: The lineup for the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027™ was finalised following the conclusion of the Qualifiers on Sunday.

Only the eight group winners advanced to join the quartet of teams that qualified directly as the top four finishers from 2026: defending champions DPR Korea, runners-up Japan, and semi-finalists Australia and China PR.

Qualifiers - Group E: Syria 1-0 Iraq; India 4-0 Malaysia

Sun, 11 Oct, 2026

Qualifiers - Group E: Syria 1-0 Iraq; India 4-0 Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur: India flexed their muscles to book their spot in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027™ with a 4-0 win over Malaysia in their Qualifiers Group E clash on Sunday.

Joakim Alexandersson’s side finished their three-match qualifying round with a perfect run while Malaysia, who saw their hopes of a maiden Finals dashed, settled for second.

Syria had earlier edged Iraq 1-0 to end their campaign with their first win. 

Russia too strong for India

Fri, 09 Oct, 2026

Russia too strong for India

Kolkata: India suffered a 4-0 defeat to Russia in their women’s international friendly at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan on Thursday.

Iana Sheina gave Russia the lead shortly before the break before substitute Kira Petukhova struck twice in five second-half minutes, with Iana Svistunova completing the victory nine minutes from time.  

Qualifiers - Group E: Syria 0-2 India; Iraq 0-4 Malaysia

Thu, 08 Oct, 2026

Qualifiers - Group E: Syria 0-2 India; Iraq 0-4 Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur: India and Malaysia will clash for a place in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027™ after both sides won their respective Group E Qualifiers matches on Thursday.

India beat Syria 2-0 while Malaysia cruised past Iraq 4-0, with their concluding tie on Sunday earning the winners a place at the 11th edition of the Finals.

Son charts history; Tajikistan edge China PR

Tue, 06 Oct, 2026

Son charts history; Tajikistan edge China PR

Yongin: Son Heung-min became Korea Republic’s all-time leading men’s goalscorer as the Taeguk Warriors defeated Uzbekistan 2-0 in an international friendly on Tuesday.

Son opened the scoring in the sixth minute with his 59th international goal before substitute Oh Se-hun sealed the victory at the hour mark.

Qualifiers - Group E: India 14-0 Iraq; Malaysia 1-0 Syria 

Mon, 05 Oct, 2026

Qualifiers - Group E: India 14-0 Iraq; Malaysia 1-0 Syria 

Kuala Lumpur: India and Malaysia opened their respective AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027™ Group E campaigns in contrasting fashion on Monday. 

Anushka Kumari netted five times in India’s commanding 14-0 victory over Iraq while Malaysia edged a determined Syria 1-0.

Brazil cruise past India in historic Kolkata friendly

Sun, 04 Oct, 2026

Brazil cruise past India in historic Kolkata friendly

Kolkata: Brazil proved too strong for India, cruising to a 4-0 victory in an international friendly at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Saturday.

Estevao and Pedro struck in the first half before Samuel Lino added a brace after the break as Brazil emerged comfortable winners in the first-ever meeting between the two nations.

Group D: Al Hussein (JOR) 2-2 East Bengal FC (IND)

Wed, 30 Sep, 2026

Group D: Al Hussein (JOR) 2-2 East Bengal FC (IND)

Amman: Jordan’s Al Hussein recovered from going two goals behind to earn a 2-2 draw with East Bengal FC of India in their AFC Champions League Two 2026/27™ Group D tie on Wednesday.

East Bengal led 2-0 at half-time but Al Hussein - in front of their home fans at Amman International Stadium - roared back with two goals of their own in the second half to rescue a point.

Qualifiers - Group B: India 3-0 Bangladesh; Uzbekistan 3-0 Syria

Mon, 07 Sep, 2026

Qualifiers - Group B: India 3-0 Bangladesh; Uzbekistan 3-0 Syria

Tashkent: Uzbekistan defeated Syria 3-0 to close with a perfect three-match run in Group B of the the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027™ Qualifiers on Sunday.

The 2023 champions will play in their third successive Finals after finishing three points clear of India, who beat Bangladesh 3-0 in the earlier fixture and are poised to make their first appearance since 2006.

Qualifiers - Group B: India 0-4 Uzbekistan; Bangladesh 0-3 Syria

Fri, 04 Sep, 2026

Qualifiers - Group B: India 0-4 Uzbekistan; Bangladesh 0-3 Syria

Tashkent: Uzbekistan moved to the top of Group B of the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027™ Qualifiers with a dominant 4-0 win over India on Thursday.

The result gave the Central Asia side maximum points, with a win or draw over Syria on Sunday booking their ticket to the Finals. 

In the earlier fixture, Syria kept their hopes alive with a 3-0 win over Bangladesh. 

The West Asia side secured their first three points ahead of a clash with Uzbekistan on Sunday while Bangladesh will look for their first win against India.