Central & South Asia Wrap: Kalinga Super Cup makes its entrance; Tractor, Sepahan continue battle

Mon, 21 Apr, 2025

Central & South Asia Wrap: Kalinga Super Cup makes its entrance; Tractor, Sepahan continue battle

Bhubaneswar: The fifth Kalinga Super Cup in India kicked off with 15 teams going head to head for a place in next season’s AFC Champions League Two™ while Tractor FC and Sepahan continue to fight it out for top honours in the Iran Pro League.

The Bhutan Premier League launched its 2025 season, the Nepal Super League moved into the playoff stage and it was action as usual across the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan leagues.
 
Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the domestic action across Central and South Asia this past week.

East Asia Wrap: Shenhua, Daejeon maintain leads; Kyoto Sanga go top

Mon, 21 Apr, 2025

East Asia Wrap: Shenhua, Daejeon maintain leads; Kyoto Sanga go top

Hong Kong: Shanghai Shenhua and Daejeon Hana remained in charge of the China PR and Korea Republic title races with important wins over the past week.

The lead changed hands again in Japan with Kyoto Sanga assuming top spot after a good week while Deren are setting the Mongolian Premier League pace by the slimmest of margins.
 
Join the-AFC.com in our weekly recap of the domestic action across East Asia.

ASEAN Wrap: Svay Rieng stay ahead; Persib remain dominant

Mon, 21 Apr, 2025

ASEAN Wrap: Svay Rieng stay ahead; Persib remain dominant

Kuala Lumpur: Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC remained on course to defend their Cambodia Premier League title with a narrow win against Boueng Ket.

In Indonesia, Persib Bandung stayed firmly in control while the league season came to a close in Malaysia.
 
Join the-AFC.com in our weekly review of the domestic action across ASEAN this past week.

#ACLElite - Asani scoops best goal of R16 (East)

Wed, 23 Apr, 2025

#ACLElite - Asani scoops best goal of R16 (East)

Kuala Lumpur: Jasir Asani’s stoppage time special against Japan’s Vissel Kobe has been voted as the best goal of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 (East) Round of 16.

The Albanian conjured up a spectacular curling effort at the death to seal the win for Gwangju FC and set up a quarter-final showdown against Al Ahli Saudi FC.

Asani advances to semi-finals with the search for the best goal of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 to continue after the Finals conclude in early May. 

Know Your Teams: Buriram United (THA)

Sun, 20 Apr, 2025

Know Your Teams: Buriram United (THA)

Kuala Lumpur: Buriram United will be determined to keep their dream alive when they swing into action in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Finals.

The Thai side are back in the knockout stage for the first time since 2013 and despite the tough odds, are focused on matching the continent's best.

#ACLElite - Mahrez tops best goal of R16 (West)

Sat, 19 Apr, 2025

#ACLElite - Mahrez tops best goal of R16 (West)

Kuala Lumpur: Riyad Mahrez’s stunning strike against Qatar’s Al Rayyan SC has been voted as the best goal of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 (West) Round of 16.

Mahrez showed grace and composure inside a packed Al Rayyan box to open Al Ahli Saudi’s account before the midfield maestro doubled his tally to seal the win.

Resilient Uzbekistan persevere to lift title

Mon, 21 Apr, 2025

Resilient Uzbekistan persevere to lift title

Taif: Nine-man Uzbekistan overcame the odds to win the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 title after defeating Saudi Arabia 2-0 in the final on Sunday.

Uzbekistan stayed resilient despite losing two players to red cards in the first half to lift the coveted trophy for a second time, having emerged champions in 2012.

Uzbekistan’s Khasanov takes Most Valuable Player award

Mon, 21 Apr, 2025

Uzbekistan’s Khasanov takes Most Valuable Player award

Taif: Sadriddin Khasanov was named the Most Valuable Player of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 following a stellar tournament which helped Uzbekistan win the title after a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

The forward illuminated the final with a memorable second goal where he nutmegged Alwaleed Aloufi before driving into the box to slot past Abdulrahman Al Otaibi.

Uzbekistan's Aliev bags Top Scorer honour

Mon, 21 Apr, 2025

Uzbekistan's Aliev bags Top Scorer honour

Taif: Uzbekistan’s Asilbek Aliev picked up the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 Top Scorer award after finishing with five goals following their 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the final on Sunday.

The forward had an outstanding tournament, including a four-match goalscoring streak from the first Group A match until the quarter-finals.

Uzbekistan's Rustamjonov scoops Best Goalkeeper award

Mon, 21 Apr, 2025

Uzbekistan's Rustamjonov scoops Best Goalkeeper award

Taif: Nematulloh Rustamjonov was named the Best Goalkeeper of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 following Uzbekistan’s 2-0 win against Saudi Arabia in Sunday’s final.

Rustamjonov produced on an impressive showing for Uzbekistan, playing in five of their six matches enroute to the title.