Central & South Asia Wrap: Tractor slip up again; East Bengal take over ISL

Mon, 23 Feb, 2026

Central & South Asia Wrap: Tractor slip up again; East Bengal take over ISL

Tehran: Reigning champions Tractor FC missed a chance to go to the top of the Iran Pro League as the top five sides continue to take turns in a tightly-contested race.

East Bengal FC claimed pole position as the Indian Super League moved into its second week, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Verdy shootout drama; Buriram blitz; Persib in control

Mon, 23 Feb, 2026

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Verdy shootout drama; Buriram blitz; Persib in control

Kuala Lumpur: Tokyo Verdy’s stoppage-time rescue and penalty composure headlined Round 3 in Japan, where they edged FC Machida Zelvia 3–2 in the shootout after a 2–2 draw, while Sanfrecce Hiroshima struck in the 90+7th minute to beat Cerezo Osaka 2–1 and stay top in Group B.

Thailand saw Buriram United deliver the most emphatic performance of the week, dismantling Sukhothai 6–0 while in Indonesia, Persib Bandung maintained their grip on the summit with a narrow 1–0 win over Persita while there were also matches in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines so join the-AFC.com in our weekly review of the domestic scene across ASEAN and East Asia.

West Asia Wrap: Al Nassr back on top; Al Sadd pull clear

Mon, 23 Feb, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Al Nassr back on top; Al Sadd pull clear

Doha: Al Nassr Club seized the Saudi Pro League top spot back with an impressive win against Al Hazem as Al Hilal SFC were held.

Al Sadd SC moved clear in the Qatar Stars League while the UAE Pro League is set for an exciting conclusion with Shabab Al Ahli and Al Ain involved in a thrilling race.

There were also matches in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Lebanon so join the-AFC.com in our weekly review of the domestic scene across West Asia.

Asia’s best vie for continental glory at #WAC2026

Sun, 22 Feb, 2026

Asia’s best vie for continental glory at #WAC2026

Kuala Lumpur: The grandest spectacle of women’s football on the Continent will commence when 12 of Asia’s finest women’s national teams converge Down Under for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026™, which kicks off on March 1.

The 21st edition of the competition will take place from March 1 to 21, 2026, across Perth, Gold Coast, and Sydney, featuring spectacular venues, including those used during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, as the tournament returns to Australia for the first time since 2006.

Know your team: Japan

Sun, 22 Feb, 2026

Know your team: Japan

Kuala Lumpur: Japan have a proud AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ record to maintain as they look forward to winning the coveted trophy for a third time.

The Nadeshiko have reached the semi-finals in each of their last 15 appearances and Nils Nielsen’s squad - the continent's highest ranked side - will be a force to be reckoned with yet again.

Know your team: Uzbekistan

Fri, 20 Feb, 2026

Know your team: Uzbekistan

Kuala Lumpur: Uzbekistan will have their armour fully sharpened when they embark on their return after a 23-year absence at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™.

The Central Asian side are determined to make up for lost time, with a promising generation of stars ready to announce themselves on the continental stage.