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.

#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. 

#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.

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.

Know Your Teams: Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Sat, 19 Apr, 2025

Know Your Teams: Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Kuala Lumpur: Al Sadd SC will be on a mission to end a long wait in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Finals.

The Qatari side will face Japan's Kawasaki Frontale in what promises to be a titanic quarter-final at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium.

Know Your Teams: Al Nassr Club (KSA)

Fri, 18 Apr, 2025

Know Your Teams: Al Nassr Club (KSA)

Kuala Lumpur: Al Nassr Club will spare no effort in attempting to lift the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 title when the Finals kick off next week.

Having had to previously settle for two semi-final finishes, Al Nassr will feel this is their best chance to lay their hands on the coveted trophy after having cruised into the knockout stage.

Know Your Teams: Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Thu, 17 Apr, 2025

Know Your Teams: Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Kuala Lumpur: Al Hilal SFC will head into the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals 2024/25 determined to lift the Asian title for a fifth time.

Jorge Jesus' side were denied by eventual champions Al Ain FC of the UAE in the semi-finals of the 2024/25 edition and will spare no effort in making sure they go all the way.

Know Your Teams: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Wed, 16 Apr, 2025

Know Your Teams: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Kuala Lumpur: The kick off for the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals 2024/25 is just over a week away with the eight teams in their final phase of preparations.

Ahead of the quarter-final action kicking off on April 25, the-AFC.com takes a look at the remaining eight sides, with Al Ahli Saudi FC the first to be featured.

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.