LATEST NEWS - UFA

Preview - Group A: IR Iran v Uzbekistan

Mon, 24 Mar, 2025

Preview - Group A: IR Iran v Uzbekistan

Tehran: Islamic Republic of Iran will expect maximum points when they host Uzbekistan in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 on Tuesday.

Team Melli only need a point to confirm a fourth consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup while victory for Uzbekistan will see them drawing level on 19 points with Iran.

Victory is all that matters for Uzbekistan’s Kapadze

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Victory is all that matters for Uzbekistan’s Kapadze

Tashkent: Despite finding it difficult to breach a resolute Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan inched closer to realising their FIFA World Cup dreams with head coach Timur Kapadze not unduly worried about his misfiring frontline in Thursday's AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group A tie.

Despite playing against 10 men and registering 26 attempts, nine of which were on target, Uzbekistan only managed a 1-0 win but Kapadze chose to look at the bigger picture as the win kept his side firmly entrenched in second place and their fate very much in their own hands. 

Group A: Uzbekistan 1-0 Kyrgyz Republic

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Group A: Uzbekistan 1-0 Kyrgyz Republic

Tashkent: Uzbekistan edged closer to a debut appearance at the FIFA World Cup after defeating ten-man Kyrgyz Republic 1-0 in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group A tie at the Bunyodkor Stadium on Thursday.

The win took Uzbekistan to 16 points, keeping them firmly in second place with three matches remaining. 

Preview - Group A: Uzbekistan v Kyrgyz Republic

Wed, 19 Mar, 2025

Preview - Group A: Uzbekistan v Kyrgyz Republic

Tashkent: Timur Kapadze will aim to continue Srecko Katanec's good work when Uzbekistan welcome Kyrgyz Republic to the Bunyodkor Stadium for their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group A tie on Thursday.

Uzbekistan legend Kapadze replaced Katanec as head coach after the Slovenian stepped down due to health issues.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Mumbai City book final ISL playoff spot; Tractor stay in pole

Mon, 17 Mar, 2025

Central & South Asia Wrap: Mumbai City book final ISL playoff spot; Tractor stay in pole

Mumbai: Mumbai City FC clinched the final playoff spot in the Indian Super League to join the five other qualifiers in matches scheduled from late March to early April.

Tractor stayed top in Islamic Republic of Iran while Muras United avenged their Super Cup loss to FC Abdysh-Ata in their Kyrgyz Republic Premier League clash.

There were also mixed fortunes for the defending champions of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the domestic action across Central and South Asia this past week.

Al Hilal’s Jesus craving for glory

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

Al Hilal’s Jesus craving for glory

Riyadh: The dream to lift aloft the AFC Champions League Elite™ trophy is providing the motivation for head coach Jorge Jesus to keep pushing his Al Hilal SFC side after they recovered from a first leg defeat to advance into the quarter-finals with a 4-1 aggregate against Pakhtakor on Tuesday.

Despite an unbeaten league-winning 2023/24 season, the semi-final exit to Al Ain FC in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 is a disappointment Jesus is determined to erase as he looks to add Asian continental success to his Copa Libertadores triumph with Flamengo in 2019.

Al Hilal waltz into quarter-finals

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

Al Hilal waltz into quarter-finals

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC turned on the power to advance into the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 quarter-finals after defeating Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor 4-0 at the Kingdom Arena on Tuesday.

It was a magnificent performance from Al Hilal as they easily overcame the 1-0 first leg deficit to stay on track for a fifth Asian title. 

Preview - R16 (2nd Leg): Al Hilal SFC (KSA) 0 v 1 Pakhtakor (UZB)

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

Preview - R16 (2nd Leg): Al Hilal SFC (KSA) 0 v 1 Pakhtakor (UZB)

Riyadh: Pakhtakor can expect a different Al Hilal SFC when the Uzbekistan side travel to Riyadh for the second leg of their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

Flamarion scored the only goal of the game as Pakhtakor took full advantage of an out-of-sorts Al Hilal to beat the Saudi Pro League side for the first time in nine meetings.

Central & South Asia Wrap: NorthEast qualify for ISL playoffs; Iran Pro League remains tight

Mon, 10 Mar, 2025

Central & South Asia Wrap: NorthEast qualify for ISL playoffs; Iran Pro League remains tight

Mumbai: NorthEast United claimed the fifth spot in the Indian Super League playoffs, leaving Mumbai City and Odisha to battle it out for the final berth as the league wraps up this week.

There was no change in the Iran Pro League as Tractor FC and Sepahan continued their tussle for the top while the domestic leagues in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic all kicked off with wins for their defending champions bar Turkmenistan’s FC Arkadag, whose match was postponed.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the domestic action across Central and South Asia this past week.

Moreira hails organised Pakhtakor, Jesus promises real Al Hilal in return leg

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

Moreira hails organised Pakhtakor, Jesus promises real Al Hilal in return leg

Tashkent: Pedro Moreira applauded his players after Pakhtakor stuck to their game plan to stun Al Hilal SFC 1-0 in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg tie on Tuesday.

Flamarion scored in the 29th minute to secure Pakhtakor a result that had not been thought possible with the Uzbekistan side clinching victory with a resolute defensive performance.

R16 - 1st Leg: Pakhtakor (UZB) 1-0 Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

R16 - 1st Leg: Pakhtakor (UZB) 1-0 Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Tashkent: Flamarion scored the only goal of the game as Pakhtakor stunned Al Hilal SFC 1-0 in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg tie at the JAR Stadium on Tuesday.

Pakhtakor fully deserved the win and Al Hilal, who have slumped in recent weeks, will have to rediscover their best form in next week’s return leg at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh if they are to keep their hopes of a fifth Asian title alive. 

Preview - R16 (1st Leg): Pakhtakor (UZB) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

Preview - R16 (1st Leg): Pakhtakor (UZB) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Tashkent: Pakhtakor will have to brace themselves for a hurting Al Hilal SFC when the two sides meet in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

Pakhtakor will welcome Al Hilal to the JAR Stadium having just managed to qualify for the Round of 16 while the Saudi Arabia side topped the West Zone League Stage with an impressive 22 points but struggling for form in recent matches.