LATEST NEWS - CFA

MD7: Gangwon FC (KOR) 0-0 Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Wed, 11 Feb, 2026

MD7: Gangwon FC (KOR) 0-0 Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Chuncheon: Hosts Gangwon FC kept their slim hopes of a place in the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ alive on Wednesday with a 0-0 draw against Shanghai Port while the Chinese Super League’s prospects of a last 16 berth were extinguished.

The point earned by both teams takes Gangwon onto eight points from their seven matches so far while Shanghai Port move onto three points and, with only one match remaining, Kevin Muscat’s side have no chance of advancing.
 
The Chinese champions are rooted to the bottom of the 12-team table, five points outside the eight places that qualify for the knockout rounds in the eastern league phase.
 
Gangwon, meanwhile, will travel to Australia next week to take on Melbourne City needing a win to have any chance of qualifying for the next phase of the competition, which will be played in March.

Jackson applauds Buriram’s resilience

Wed, 11 Feb, 2026

Jackson applauds Buriram’s resilience

Chengdu: Mark Jackson showered praise on his Buriram United players after their 1-0 win against China PR’s Chengdu Rongcheng FC in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ on Tuesday moved the Thailand side closer to a place in the Round of 16.

In a game where Chengdu dominated possession, Buriram had to dig deep to get the win and Jackson was proud of how his charges managed the situation in front of over 40,000 fans at Phoenix Hill Sports Park Football Stadium.

Kuroda proud as Machida achieve target

Wed, 11 Feb, 2026

Kuroda proud as Machida achieve target

Shanghai: FC Machida Zelvia’s fairy-tale debut in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ continues as the Japanese side secured qualification to the Round of 16 with head coach Go Kuroda expressing his delight at the achievement.

Machida capped an impressive continental debut with a 2-0 against China PR’s Shanghai Shenhua FC on Tuesday to take them up 14 points, with Kuroda pinpointing Yuki Soma’s third minute opener from the penalty spot as being crucial to the win.

MD7: Chengdu Rongcheng FC (CHN) 0-1 Buriram United (THA)

Wed, 11 Feb, 2026

MD7: Chengdu Rongcheng FC (CHN) 0-1 Buriram United (THA)

Chengdu: Thailand’s Buriram United boosted their Round of 16 hopes with a 1-0 win against China PR’s Chengdu Rongcheng FC in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ match on Tuesday.

A second half goal by Brazilian Bissoli at the Phoenix Hill Sports Park Football Stadium pushed Mark Jackson’s side to fourth in the table with 11 points.

China’s Chengdu, six points behind, are 10th and have only a slim chance of qualifying.

MD7: Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) 0-2 FC Machida Zelvia (JPN)

Wed, 11 Feb, 2026

MD7: Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) 0-2 FC Machida Zelvia (JPN)

Shanghai: Japan’s FC Machida Zelvia confirmed their progress to the last 16 of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ on Tuesday as Yuki Soma struck twice to secure a 2-0 win over hosts Shanghai Shenhua FC for Go Kuruda’s side.

The win at Shanghai Stadium moves the J1 League side onto 14 points from their seven games to date and that total is enough to confirm the Emperor’s Cup holders will progress to the next phase of the competition, which will be played in March.
 
Shanghai Shenhua, by contrast, have been eliminated with Leonid Slutsky’s side remaining on four points and adrift of the qualification slots with only their clash with Buriram United from Thailand next Tuesday left to play.

Preview: Gangwon FC (KOR) v Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Wed, 11 Feb, 2026

Preview: Gangwon FC (KOR) v Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Chuncheon: Gangwon FC will be determined to not slip up when they meet Shanghai Port FC in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ on Wednesday.

Korea Republic's Gangwon ended Matchday Six ninth with seven points while Shanghai Port anchored the standings with just two.

Closing the gap is Milicic’s aim for China PR

Mon, 09 Feb, 2026

Closing the gap is Milicic’s aim for China PR

Kuala Lumpur: Ante Milicic is determined to bring China PR back among the elite in women’s football and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ will be the first opportunity to showcase the work that has gone on.

While China PR goes into Australia as defending champions, the years since lifting the trophy at India 2022 have seen the team under-performing in major tournaments - a group stage exit at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 as well as missing out completely on the Paris Olympics 2024.

Milicic’s single-mindedness was evident from the moment the prospect of landing the job with the Steel Roses became a possibility as the Australian shares with the-AFC.com what the head coach role entails for him and China PR.

Preview: Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) v FC Machida Zelvia (JPN)

Tue, 10 Feb, 2026

Preview: Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) v FC Machida Zelvia (JPN)

Shanghai: Victory will be Shanghai Shenhua FC's only option when they face FC Machida Zelvia in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ on Tuesday.

China PR's Shenhua are 11th in the standings with four points while a win for Japan's Machida will confirm their ticket to the Round of 16.

Preview: Chengdu Rongcheng FC (CHN) v Buriram United (THA)

Tue, 10 Feb, 2026

Preview: Chengdu Rongcheng FC (CHN) v Buriram United (THA)

Chengdu: Chengdu Rongcheng FC and Buriram United will be equally desperate for victory when they square off in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ on Tuesday.

China PR's Chengdu sit 10th in the standings with six points while Thailand's Buriram are two ahead in seventh.

China PR’s Li determined to retain title

Thu, 05 Feb, 2026

China PR’s Li determined to retain title

Kuala Lumpur: As she gears up for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™, Li Mengwen is spurred on by the unforgettable memories from the 2022 edition. 

Named to the China PR squad for Asia’s flagship women’s national team competition in India, Li made her tournament debut as Shui Qingxia’s side ended a 16-year trophy drought by clinching a record-extending ninth title.

Having come from behind to triumph in both the last eight and semi-finals, it was perhaps fitting that the Steel Roses mounted the most stunning of comebacks in the final. Trailing 2-0 at the break to Korea Republic, they drew level after two goals within four minutes in the second half before a 93rd-minute strike from Xiao Yuyi sealed ultimate glory in dramatic fashion.

#AFCU23 - Players who caught the eye

Tue, 27 Jan, 2026

#AFCU23 - Players who caught the eye

Jeddah: The AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ delivered a showcase of emerging talents, as Asia’s rising stars left their mark at every stage of the continental showpiece.

Lethal finishers, midfield maestros and shot-stopping goalkeepers were on display and the-AFC.com highlights several players who lit up the continental showpiece.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/video/afcu23-|-final-china-pr-0-4-japan