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ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Borneo held; JDT stay flawless

Mon, 22 Dec, 2025

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Borneo held; JDT stay flawless

Kuala Lumpur: It was another defining week across ASEAN as late drama in Indonesia saw Persebaya deny Borneo FC maximum points in a pulsating draw that kept the Liga 1 title race finely balanced.

In Malaysia, Johor Darul Ta’zim extended their perfect Super League run with another dominant display, brushing aside Kelantan The Real Warriors to reinforce their status as runaway pacesetters.

Cambodia also saw a statement performance at the top as Preah Khan Svay Rieng FC responded strongly to secure a convincing home victory and pull further clear in the title race while Hang Yuen remained hot in Chinese Taipei, so join the-AFC.com as we recap the past week's action across the region.

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: JDT lift Malaysia FA Cup; Malut stun Persib

Mon, 15 Dec, 2025

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: JDT lift Malaysia FA Cup; Malut stun Persib

Kuala Lumpur: Johor Darul Ta’zim once again underlined their domestic supremacy with a commanding FA Cup final triumph, adding more silverware to an already dominant campaign.

Malut United landed a major blow in Indonesia by defeating Persib Bandung while in Cambodia, leaders Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC were made to work hard for their point as they were held at home.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across ASEAN and East Asia.

Group E: Beijing FC (CHN) 1-2 Macarthur FC (AUS)

Fri, 12 Dec, 2025

Group E: Beijing FC (CHN) 1-2 Macarthur FC (AUS)

Beijing: Harrison Sawyer’s penalty 19 minutes from time earned Macarthur FC a 2-1 win over Beijing FC at Workers’ Stadium on Thursday as the A-League side sealed top spot in Group E of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™.

Kristian Popovic had given Mile Sterjovski’s side the lead in the 56th minute and, although Sai Erjiniao had levelled the scores three minutes later, it was Sawyer’s spot kick after a foul on Luke Vickery that earned Macarthur their fourth win in six matches in the group phase.

 

The Australians move onto 13 points from their six matches to finish ahead of Vietnam’s Cong An Ha Noi with both clubs booking their places in the last 16 while Beijing finish in third place in the group.

Resilient Melbourne make Vidmar proud; Seoul’s Kim disappointed

Thu, 11 Dec, 2025

Resilient Melbourne make Vidmar proud; Seoul’s Kim disappointed

Seoul: Head coach Aurelio Vidmar was proud of his side’s resilience after substitute Takeshi Kanamori’s late strike earned Melbourne City FC a 1-1 draw with FC Seoul in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ tie on Wednesday.

The point sees the Australian side sitting fourth in the East Zone standings with two matches remaining in the race for the eight Round of 16 spots.

MD6: FC Seoul (KOR) 1-1 Melbourne City FC (AUS)

Wed, 10 Dec, 2025

MD6: FC Seoul (KOR) 1-1 Melbourne City FC (AUS)

Seoul: Melbourne City substitute Takeshi Kanamori struck 16 minutes from time to cancel out Jesse Lingard’s first-half opener for the hosts and earn the Australian side a 1-1 draw on Wednesday in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™.

Lingard, playing in his final game for the K League side, gave Kim Gi-dong’s side a 31st minute lead with a first-time finish but Kanamori ensured City extended their unbeaten run in the competition to four matches with a clinical strike into the corner of the home goal.
 
The result moves Melbourne City onto 10 points from six matches with FC Seoul a point behind with two games remaining in the eastern league phase of the competition, which resumes in February.

Preview: FC Seoul (KOR) v Melbourne City FC (AUS)

Wed, 10 Dec, 2025

Preview: FC Seoul (KOR) v Melbourne City FC (AUS)

Seoul: : FC Seoul will be focused on giving Jesse Lingard a winning farewell when they host Melbourne City FC in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/25™ on Wednesday.

Former England international Lingard announced his decision to move on Friday, with FC Seoul effusive in their praise of the midfielder who has led the team as captain after overcoming a slow start.

ASEAN Wrap: Sydney climb; Persib shake up title race

Mon, 08 Dec, 2025

ASEAN Wrap: Sydney climb; Persib shake up title race

Kuala Lumpur: The drama across ASEAN showed no signs of slowing down as Sydney FC reclaimed top spot in the A-League with a resilient comeback win.

Buriram United left it late to tighten their grip on the Thai League 1 summit in trademark fashion. In Indonesia, Persib Bandung stole the headlines by ending Borneo FC’s flawless run, blowing the title race wide open.

Join the-AFC.com as we reconcile with the past week's domestic action in ASEAN.

Draw: What they said

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

Draw: What they said

Washington: Friday’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw revealed the challenges Asia’s finest will face in the expanded global showpiece next summer.

It was a draw which had everything and the Asian teams were understandably excited as they began to lay plans for their respective sides.

The-AFC.com listened to what they had to say.

Asia's hopefuls discover challengers

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

Asia's hopefuls discover challengers

Washington: Asia's representatives learnt their FIFA World Cup 2026 challengers following the conclusion of the draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC on Friday.

The 48 teams were drawn into 12 groups for the global showpiece which will take place in Canada, Mexico and the United States on June 11-July 19, 2026.

Final draw: All you need to know

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Final draw: All you need to know

Kuala Lumpur: The Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be held on Friday and it promises to be a spectacular affair.

The expanded 48-team tournament - up from the 32-nation field that competed at the FIFA World Cup 2022 - will be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19 next year.

With Asia set to be well represented, the-AFC.com brings you all the details of the Final Draw.

Wins for Japan, Australia

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

Wins for Japan, Australia

Kuala Lumpur: Japan earned their second win over Canada in four days, with Mina Tanaka’s first half strike giving them a 1-0 win at Nagasaki Stadium on Tuesday.

Australia, meanwhile, also defeated New Zealand for a second time, winning 2-0.

Europe Wrap: Asia’s best continue to shine

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

Europe Wrap: Asia’s best continue to shine

Kuala Lumpur: Asia’s top players continued to showcase their goalscoring prowess in key European leagues, with internationals Daezen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Ayase Ueda of Japan as well as Yang Hyun-jun and Oh Hyeon-gy of Korea Republic also leaving their mark on the UEFA Europa League.

Follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.