LATEST NEWS - FOOTBALL AUSTRALIA

R16 - 1st Leg: Melbourne City FC (AUS) 1-1 Buriram United (THA)

Tue, 03 Mar, 2026

R16 - 1st Leg: Melbourne City FC (AUS) 1-1 Buriram United (THA)

Melbourne: Ben Mazzeo’s late header earned Melbourne City a 1-1 draw with Buriram United on Tuesday to leave their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 clash evenly poised ahead of the second leg in Thailand next week.

Guilherme Bissoli had crashed in an unstoppable strike in the 37th minute at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium to give the Thai League 1 champions the lead but Marcus Younis’ run set up substitute Mazzeo to nod in the equaliser five minutes into stoppage time.

Buriram United will be looking to reach the quarter-finals for the second season in a row while Melbourne City will be attempting to extend their first-ever run in the competition’s knockout rounds.

Catley: Mum is my biggest influence

Mon, 02 Mar, 2026

Catley: Mum is my biggest influence

Perth: For Australia's Steph Catley, the foundations of her career were laid far from the spotlight of stadiums and cameras, it was the support she received at home.

Sunday’s 1-0 win against the Philippines in the Matildas’ AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Group A opener at Perth Stadium was proof of the impact guidance can have on the field.

Preview - R16 (1st Leg): Melbourne City FC (AUS) v Buriram United (THA)

Tue, 03 Mar, 2026

Preview - R16 (1st Leg): Melbourne City FC (AUS) v Buriram United (THA)

Melbourne: Melbourne City FC will spare no effort in their bid for a big win when they host Buriram United in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

Australia's Melbourne City were very much a team in form in the League Stage while Buriram United of Thailand also impressed as both teams qualified at the expense of some of the continent's biggest clubs.

ASEAN Wrap: Perfect leaders, late drama and tightening title races

Mon, 02 Mar, 2026

ASEAN Wrap: Perfect leaders, late drama and tightening title races

Kuala Lumpur: Johor Darul Ta’zim’s relentless march in Malaysia continued with a perfect 18th straight win, while Indonesia’s Persib Bandung ran riot to remain firmly in control at the summit.

In Australia, Newcastle Jets were held for the first time this season while Singapore delivered one of the most dramatic moments of the week as Lion City Sailors were held in a six-goal thriller.

There was also action in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines so join the-AFC.com in our weekly wrap of the ASEAN domestic scene.

Australia’s Montemurro focuses on positives; Torcaso proud of Philippines' effort

Sun, 01 Mar, 2026

Australia’s Montemurro focuses on positives; Torcaso proud of Philippines' effort

Perth: Joe Montemurro looked at the positives after Australia’s 1-0 victory over the Philippines in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Group A opener on Sunday.

Despite dominating 85 percent of possession, Australia managed just six shots on target, falling short of the high-scoring performance many had anticipated.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_womens_asian_cup.html/video/wac2026-|-group-a-australia-1-0-philippines

Group A: Australia 1-0 Philippines

Sun, 01 Mar, 2026

Group A: Australia 1-0 Philippines

Perth: Sam Kerr marked her return with the decisive goal as Australia defeated the Philippines 1-0 in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Group A opener at the Perth Stadium on Sunday.

While Australia will be happy to have kicked off their bid for a second title with a win, the margin of victory could have been greater as they totally dominated the tie but could only breach the stout Philippines defence once.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_womens_asian_cup.html/photo/group-a-australia-v-philippines

Preview - Group A: Australia v Philippines

Sun, 01 Mar, 2026

Preview - Group A: Australia v Philippines

Perth: Tournament favourites Australia can expect a fired up Philippines when the teams meet in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Group A opener at the Perth Stadium on Sunday.

Australia, seeking to win the title for a second time, will be determined to lay down an early marker with the Philippines keen on continuing their stunning rise with a statement performance.

Emerging Australian talent gives Kerr confidence

Sat, 28 Feb, 2026

Emerging Australian talent gives Kerr confidence

Perth: Sam Kerr is relishing her competitive return for the Matildas in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Group A opener against the Philippines at Perth Stadium on Sunday.

It will mark Kerr’s first competitive action for Australia since scoring a stunning goal in the 3-1 defeat to England in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 semi-final.

#WAC2026 - Squads revealed

Fri, 27 Feb, 2026

#WAC2026 - Squads revealed

Sydney: The continent’s finest have converged for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ with established stars and emerging talents set to light up the tournament.

The 12 sides hoping to achieve continental glory have announced their squads - with proven winners to debutants set to power their dreams and from the talented pool, the-AFC.com highlights one player per team to keep an eye on.

Europe Wrap: Fujita caps a memorable week for Asia

Mon, 23 Feb, 2026

Europe Wrap: Fujita caps a memorable week for Asia

Kuala Lumpur: Japan midfielder Joel Fujita struck his first goal, and a 70th-minute winner, for St Pauli in the Bundesliga. The 24-year-old’s first goal in 22 appearances this season not only earned his relegation-threatened side valuable points but was also their first win over their opponents since 1977.

Fujita’s fellow international Koki Ogawa also scored a crucial goal minutes after coming on in the Eredivisie, joining other Continental names who signed the scoresheet across major leagues, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.