Central, South & West Asia Wrap: Durand Cup delivers thrills; Arkadag, Nasaf remain unbeaten

Mon, 04 Aug, 2025

Central, South & West Asia Wrap: Durand Cup delivers thrills; Arkadag, Nasaf remain unbeaten

Kolkata: Defending champions NorthEast United and 2024 finalists Mohun Bagan Super Giant made winning starts to the Durand Cup 2025, Asia’s oldest football tournament and the curtain-raiser for the Indian domestic football season.

The league leaders in Bhutan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were all in textbook form, while Al Hussein kicked off the defence of their Jordanian title in style.

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

East Asia Wrap: Shenhua drop points; Suwon upstage Ulsan

Mon, 04 Aug, 2025

East Asia Wrap: Shenhua drop points; Suwon upstage Ulsan

Hong Kong: Shanghai Shenhua played out an eight-goal classic against Yunnan Yukun as their lead was reduced in China PR while Shanghai Port kept the pressure on with another convincing win.

In Korea Republic, Suwon FC came from behind to beat Ulsan HD in a five-goal contest. Over in Macau, Shao Jiang edged Must IPO in a top-of-the-table clash to reignite the title race.

Join the-AFC.com as we recap the latest round of domestic action across East Asia.

Saudi Arabia's Abdulhamid joins RC Lens on loan

Mon, 04 Aug, 2025

Saudi Arabia's Abdulhamid joins RC Lens on loan

Lens: Saudi Arabia international Saud Abdulhamid has moved to French club RC Lens on a season-long loan from Italy's AS Roma.

The right-back is the first Saudi Arabia player to ply his trade in France’s top flight.

Kim Pan-gon to leave Ulsan HD

Sat, 02 Aug, 2025

Kim Pan-gon to leave Ulsan HD

Kuala Lumpur: Ulsan HD have confirmed K League-winning head coach Kim Pan-gon will stand down from his role at the team’s helm after this weekend’s meeting with Suwon FC.

The former Malaysia and Hong Kong, China head coach led the club to the domestic title last season after replacing Hong Myung-bo, who quit in July to return to the Korea Republic national team.

Son and Tottenham to part ways

Sat, 02 Aug, 2025

Son and Tottenham to part ways

Seoul: Tottenham captain Son Heung-min said on Saturday that he intends to leave the club this summer after a decade in north London.

The 33-year-old attacker joined the Premier League side from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and went on to play more than 450 times for Spurs.
 
In May he lifted the Europa League trophy but he had a difficult season overall by his high standards and struggled with injury.

Montemurro expects Australia to rise to the challenge

Sun, 03 Aug, 2025

Montemurro expects Australia to rise to the challenge

Sydney: Australia coach Joe Montemurro believes his squad will relish the opportunity to make amends for their exit from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ at the hands of Korea Republic when the two nations clash again in the group phase of the 2026 edition.

The tournament hosts have been drawn to play the Philippines, Korea Republic and the Islamic Republic of Iran in Group A when the AFC Women’s Asian Cup returns next March, with the clash against the east Asians among the most eye-catching of the group phase.
 
Australia, who were due to co-host the FIFA Women’s World Cup along with New Zealand 18 months after the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, had gone into the tournament as one of the favourites, only for Ji So-yun’s 87th minute goal to eliminate Tony Gustavsson’s team.

Japan boss Nielsen wants Nadeshiko to improve tournament craft

Thu, 31 Jul, 2025

Japan boss Nielsen wants Nadeshiko to improve tournament craft

Sydney: Japan head coach Nils Nielsen will be looking for his Nadeshiko team to improve their ability to secure positive results at major tournaments as the former champions attempt to reclaim the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ title in Australia next year.

Nielsen’s team were drawn to face Vietnam, India and Chinese Taipei in Group C of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ at the Official Draw in Sydney on Tuesday ahead of their latest attempt to win the title for the first time since 2018.