Domestic Leagues
Johor Darul Ta’zim, meanwhile, look set to clinch an 11th successive Malaysian title while there were also matches in Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam so join the-AFC.com in our review of the domestic action across ASEAN and East Asia.
Japan: Sanfrecce lift Japan Super Cup
Tolgay Arsian gave Sanfrecce as 12th minute lead in the season opener with Hayato Araki doubling their advantage in the 70th minute.
The result was a morale booster for Sanfrecce, ahead of their AFC Champions League Two 2024/25 Round of 16 tie against Vietnam’s Nam Dinh FC on Wednesday.
Vissel Kobe will aim to bounce back by sealing their spot in the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 knockout stage with victory against China PR’s Shanghai Port FC on Tuesday.
Hong Kong: Tai Po cruise past Hong Kong FC
Tai Po maintained a firm grip on the Hong Kong Premier League title race after a 4-0 win against Hong Kong FC on Sunday.
The victory took Tai Po to 32 points, five clear of Eastern who have two matches in hand.
Eastern defeated Southern District 2-0 while Kitchee FC are a point adrift in third place after edging Hong Kong Rangers 2-1.
Australia: Adelaide close in on Auckland
Adelaide United secured a 1-0 victory over Melbourne City as they moved within two points of league leaders Auckland FC.
The decisive goal came in the 52nd minute through forward Archie Goodwin, with Zach Clough providing the assist.
Third-placed Western United played out a 2-2 draw against fifth-placed Macarthur FC. Western took the lead in the 22nd minute through Noah Botic, but Macarthur responded quickly, with Jake Hollman equalising in the 32nd minute.
Western regained the lead just before halftime, courtesy of Abel Walatee’s strike, but Macarthur had the final say, as Marin Jakolis netted in the 79th minute to ensure both sides shared the points.
Elsewhere, Sydney FC and WS Wanderers played out a 1-1 draw, Melbourne Victory suffered a 3-0 defeat against Newcastle Jets, and Central Coast Mariners were held 1-1 by Perth Glory.
Cambodia: Svay Rieng maintain one point lead
League leaders Svay Rieng secured a 3-1 victory over ninth-placed Life FC, allowing them to maintain their one-point lead over second-placed Phnom Penh Crown FC.
Svay Rieng opened the scoring in the 13th minute through forward Bounphachan Bounkong. However, Life FC equalised three minutes through UK Devin. Svay Rieng regained the lead in the 48th minute, with Bounphachan Bounkong netting his second.
They then extended their advantage in the 82nd minute through Sosidan Nhean.
Phnom Penh Crown were held 1-1 draw by Angkor Tiger in a frustrating result, as a win would have put them above Svay Rieng.
Phnom Penh struck first in the 19th minute through Jelle Goselink, but Angkor Tiger equalised in the 60th minute through Kodai Nagashima. Despite going down to 10 men after Sokry Sofan received the red card in the 85th minute, Angkor Tiger managed to hold on for the draw.
In other matches, Ministry of Interior FA suffered a 2-1 defeat to NagaWorld, while Boeung Ket cruised to an 8-1 victory over Dangkor.
Indonesia: Persib Bandung in cruise control
Table-toppers Persib Bandung secured a 1-0 victory over PSIS Semarang, allowing them to maintain their nine-point lead over second-placed Dewa United.
The only goal of the match came in the 36th minute, with Nick Kuipers finding the net after an assist from Zalnando. Persib went down to 10 men in the 41st minute when Mateo Kocijan received his second yellow card, but they held on to secure all three points.
Second-placed Dewa United also claimed victory, defeating Persija Jakarta 2-1 in a crucial fixture
Persija Jakarta were reduced to 10 men in the 71st minute when Carlos Eduardo received his second yellow card. Dewa United took advantage, opening the scoring in the 75th minute with a penalty converted by Alex.
Persija quickly responded, equalising in the 79th minute through Gustavo. However, deep into stoppage time, Alex converted another penalty to secure all three points for Dewa United.
In other matches, PSS Sleman lost 2-1 to Bali United, Barito Putera defeated Semen Padang 2-1, and Persis Solo edged past Persebaya 2-1.
Laos: Ezra on the brink of glory despite stalemate
League leaders Ezra were held to a 1-1 draw by third-placed Master 7, delaying their title celebrations.
Despite the setback, they remain just one win away from securing the championship. Master 7, meanwhile, moved into third place.
The match saw an early breakthrough in the 10th minute when Master 7’s forward Souksavan Xayalinh found the net.
Ezra’s hopes took a further hit in stoppage time when Xeedee Phomsavanh was sent off. However, they refused to concede defeat, scoring a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser through Chony Wenpaserth to salvage a crucial point.
Young Elephant kept their title hopes alive with a commanding 3-0 win over Champasak United, moving into second place, four points behind Ezra.
Japanese forward Takumu Nishihara opened the scoring in the 10th minute before Shogo Akiba doubled the lead in the 43rd. Nishihara then secured his brace in the 64th minute to seal the victory.
Elsewhere, Lao Army FC claimed a 3-1 win over Viengchanh, while Namtha United fell 2-0 to Luang Prabang United.
Malaysia: Selangor delay JDT's coronation
Selangor FC kept the Malaysia Super League title race alive for at least another matchday after defeating Sri Pahang FC 2-0 on Saturday.
Jordanian striker Ali Olwan put Selangor ahead with a brilliant solo effort in the 14th minute with the Red Giants doubling their lead in the 39th minute when Chilean import forward Ronnie Fernandez calmly slotted in a close-range strike.
The win took Selangor to 42 points, 13 behind leaders Johor Darul Ta'zim with only five matches remaining.
JDT, who defeated PDRM 4-0 on Wednesday, will clinch their 11th successive title with victory against Perak on February 27.
In other matches Kelantan United lost 6-1 to Penang while Kuching and Perak played to a 1-1 draw. Negeri Sembilan lost 2-0 to Terengganu.
Myanmar: Yangon’s title hopes fading
Yangon United were held to a 1-1 draw by Yadanarbon, dealing a blow to their title hopes.
They remain in second place, now eight points behind league leaders Shan United, with only four matches left to play. Yadanarbon, meanwhile, stayed in seventh after the result.
Yangon took the lead just before halftime when defender Nyan Lin Htet found the net. However, Yadanarbon responded in the 64th minute, as Arkar’s equaliser ensured the points were shared.
Elsewhere, third-placed Hantharwady United suffered a 2-0 defeat to ninth-placed Ayeyawady, further denting their title chances.
Myawady claimed a 4-1 victory over Dagon Port, but they remain in 11th and inside the relegation zone. Dagon Port stayed 10th, maintaining a seven-point cushion over Myawady. Rakhine United beat Thitsar Arman 3-1.
Philippines: Kaya keep their four-point lead
League leaders Kaya secured a 4-1 victory over the Philippines U20, maintaining their four-point lead over second-placed Manila Digger.
Second-placed Manila Digger earned a crucial win against fourth-placed One Taguig in a tightly contested fixture. Despite the victory, they remain four points behind Kaya.
The only goal of the match came dramatically in stoppage time, with Jordan Jarvis finding the net to secure all three points for Manila Digger.
In other matches, third-placed Cebu FC defeated Mendiola FC 1991 3-1, Stallion and Maharlika played to a goalless draw, and Davao Aguilas suffered a 1-0 loss to Loyola.
Thailand: Bangkok United trail by seven points
Second-placed Bangkok United were held 2-2 by Rayong FC, leaving them seven points behind Buriram United. Rayong moved up to 13th, just above the relegation zone.
Rayong FC started strongly, taking the lead in the 10th minute through Jeon Hae-min Jeon. They continued to press and were rewarded again in the 28th minute when Moe Aung Lwin doubled their advantage, putting Bangkok United under significant pressure.
Bangkok United, however, did not back down. They responded in the 34th minute, with Eid Mahmoud finding the net to give them hope. Mahmoud struck again in the 58th minute to force the stalemate.
In other matches, third-placed Muang Thong United secured a 2-1 victory over Chiangrai United, Pathum United edged Port MTI FC 1-0, and Lamphun Warrior defeated Sukhothai 1-0.
Vietnam: Nam Dinh move two clear.
Nam Dinh edged Hanoi 2-1 on Wednesday as they moved to the top of the V.League 1 standings.
Luka Bobicanec gave Hanoi the lead from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute but Caio Cesar draw Nam Dinh level in the 60th.
The points were sealed by Hendrio with his effort in the 84th minute as Nam Dinh moved up to 24 points, two ahead of Thanh Hoa with Viettel a further point adrift. Both, however, have two matches in hand.
Viettel stayed in the title race with a 2-1 win over Hoang Anh Gia Lai on Saturday, Binh Dinh edged DA Nang 2-1 and Hai Phong defeated Ho Chi Minh City 2-0. Hanoi FC beat Song Lam Nghe An 3-0.
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