LATEST NEWS - JFA

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.

AG(M): Japan, Thailand seal q-final berths in style

Sun, 20 Sep, 2026

AG(M): Japan, Thailand seal q-final berths in style

Kuala Lumpur: Japan and Thailand continued to impress at the Asian Games 2026, registering emphatic wins in Group A of the men’s football tournament on Sunday to confirm their places in the quarter-finals.

Thailand powered to a 5-1 win over Hong Kong, China, while Japan were equally dominant, cruising 7-0 past Kyrgyz Republic.

In Group B, Islamic Republic of Iran and China PR played to a goalless draw to move onto four points each.

Ouwejan: Second half tweak did the job

Fri, 18 Sep, 2026

Ouwejan: Second half tweak did the job

Machida: Thomas Ouwejan got the dream debut he was looking for after playing his part in FC Machida Zelvia’s 2-0 win against Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC in the AFC Champions League Two 2026/27™ on Thursday.

The Dutch centre-back, who made his first start since moving from NEC Nijmegen at the end of the summer transfer window and played 74 minutes before being replaced by Yuki Soma, also highlighted the moment when the game was won.

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.

AG (W): Giants march on

Fri, 18 Sep, 2026

AG (W): Giants march on

Kuala Lumpur: Japan, Korea Republic, DPR Korea and Chinese Taipei maintained their perfect starts in the Asian Games 2026 women’s football on Thursday.

The Philippines, meanwhile, picked up their first win with a 2-0 victory over Hong Kong, China, while China PR and Uzbekistan shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Group G: FC Machida Zelvia (JPN) 2-0 Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM)

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

Group G: FC Machida Zelvia (JPN) 2-0 Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM)

Machida: FC Machida Zelvia made good of home advantage to defeat Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC 2-0 in their AFC Champions League Two 2026/27™ Group G encounter on Thursday.

Australian forwards Mitchell Duke and Tete Yengi got the goals in a match largely dominated by the J League 1 side.

Skibbe applauds keeper Gonda after nervy Vissel win

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

Skibbe applauds keeper Gonda after nervy Vissel win

Thammasat: Michael Skibbe reserved special praise for goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda following Vissel Kobe’s hard-fought 2-1 win against Port FC in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ opener on Wednesday.

Yoshinori Muto scored the winner just after the hour mark after Ren Komatsu had given the Japanese side a 10th minute lead, only to deflect Issam Al Sabhi’s header in first half stoppage time past his own goalkeeper for the equaliser at the Thammasat Stadium.

Skibbe admitted that Vissel had survived a tough test against the Thai side.

Jeonbuk’s fighting spirit impresses Chung

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

Jeonbuk’s fighting spirit impresses Chung

Jeonju: Head coach Chung Jung-yong praised Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC’s determination after the two-time champions came from behind to defeat Kashiwa Reysol 2-1 in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ opener on Wednesday.

Kenshin Yuba’s fine individual effort gave the Japanese side a 30th minute lead but Tiago Orobo drew Jeonbuk level three minutes after the restart before substitute Italo struck the winner after coming off the bench in the 69th minute.

Chung was delighted with the response from his players after the interval, saying their ability to execute his tactical plan had been key to the turnaround.

MD1: Port FC (THA) 1-2 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

MD1: Port FC (THA) 1-2 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Thammasat: Yoshinori Muto scored just after the hour mark to earn Vissel Kobe a 2-1 win over Port FC as the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ semi-finalists kicked off their new campaign with victory in Thailand.

Former Japan international Muto struck in the 61st minute after Ren Komatsu had given the visitors a 10th minute lead, only to deflect Issam Al Sabhi’s header in first half stoppage time past his own goalkeeper for the equaliser.

AG (M): Japan, China PR make winning starts

Wed, 16 Sep, 2026

AG (M): Japan, China PR make winning starts

Kuala Lumpur: The second day of men’s football action at the Asian Games 2026 saw hosts Japan secure a 2-0 win against Hong Kong, China on Wednesday.

China PR, Thailand and Islamic Republic of Iran also picked up wins as competition to the knockout stage intensified.

MD1: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR) 2-1 Kashiwa Reysol (JPN)

Wed, 16 Sep, 2026

MD1: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR) 2-1 Kashiwa Reysol (JPN)

Jeonju: Substitute Italo scored less than four minutes after his introduction from the bench as two-times winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC came back from a goal down to hand Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol a 2-1 defeat in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ on Wednesday.

Kenshin Yuba had given the visitors the lead with a fine individual effort on the half hour mark but Tiago Orobo levelled in the 48th minute and Italo hit the winner 21 minutes later to secure all three points in the opening league phase match for Chung Jung-yong’s side.

Usami hopes Gamba can build on winning start

Wed, 16 Sep, 2026

Usami hopes Gamba can build on winning start

Suita: Takashi Usami believes Gamba Osaka’s 4-1 victory over Cong An Ha Noi FC can spark the Japanese side after leading them to a winning start in the  AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ on Tuesday.

Usami struck twice as Gamba overcame a difficult opening period to mark their return to continental competition for the first time since 2021 with three points.