ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Vissel Kobe claim title; Vietnam season ends

Sun, 07 Jun, 2026

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Vissel Kobe claim title; Vietnam season ends

Tokyo: Vissel Kobe were crowned champions of the J1 100 Year Vision League on Saturday despite a 2-0 defeat to Kashima Antlers in the return leg of the final on Saturday.

Champions Cong An Ha Noi FC lost 1-0 to The Cong as the Vietnamese season concluded on Sunday.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3177285

Focus: Group I

Sat, 06 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group I

Paris: Winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, France arrive at this FIFA World Cup as one of the leading contenders, but the planet's top-ranked team face stiff tests against Senegal and Norway in Group I, which also features outsiders Iraq.

Les Bleus have won the FIFA World Cup twice and lost two further finals on penalties in the last seven editions, including last time in Qatar when they were beaten by Argentina in a shoot-out after Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick in an epic contest.

Focus: Group J

Sat, 06 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group J

Paris: Holders Argentina arrive at the FIFA World Cup aiming to become the first team in more than half a century to successfully defend their title.

Only two teams – Italy in 1934 and 1938, and Brazil in 1958 and 1962 – have won back-to-back FIFA World Cup crowns, underscoring the difficulty of the task facing Lionel Messi and his teammates.

Yet while history suggests the odds are stacked against the 2022 champions, there are grounds for believing that Argentina are more than capable of completing a rare double.

Qatar held by El Salvador

Sun, 07 Jun, 2026

Qatar held by El Salvador

Los Angeles: Qatar were held to a goalless draw by El Salvador in an international friendly ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Saturday.

Qatar controlled the possession but could not find a way past the El Salvador defence.

Popovic says Australia can 'punch above weight' after Swiss draw

Sun, 07 Jun, 2026

Popovic says Australia can 'punch above weight' after Swiss draw

San Diego: Australia head coach Tony Popovic said he was confident his side could "punch above our weight" at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a battling 1-1 draw with Switzerland in an international friendly on Saturday.

Dan Ndoye opened the scoring for the Swiss in the 14th minute before Australia debutant Tete Yengi levelled in the second half. It was the final warm-up for both sides for the FIFA World Cup, which begins on Thursday.

India see off Bangladesh to lift sixth title

Sat, 06 Jun, 2026

India see off Bangladesh to lift sixth title

Mergoa: India turned on the power to defeat defending champions Bangladesh 3-1 in the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 final on Saturday.

Ritu Porna Chakma cancelled out Pyari Xaxa’s first-half opener before India regained control in the second half with goals from Sanfida Nongrum and Lynda Kom to seal the win.