Europe Wrap: Top guns star with goals and debuts

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

Europe Wrap: Top guns star with goals and debuts

Kuala Lumpur: Asia’s best stepped up the pace as Japan’s Ryotaro Araki scored on his debut, Australia’s Cristian Volpato claimed his first of the season and Japan’s Yuito Suzuki bagged a hat-trick to join other Continental players finding the back of the net.

The week also marked debuts for Korea Republic’s Kim Min-su and Seol Young-woo, Philippines’s Raphael Obermair and Japan’s Ko Itakura and Keisuke Goto, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.

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#AFCU20 China 2027 Qualifiers: MD1 Results & Reports

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

#AFCU20 China 2027 Qualifiers: MD1 Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday One of the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027™ Qualifiers concluded on Monday with the teams experiencing highs and lows.

At stake are 15 berths at next year’s Finals, with the eight group winners and the seven best second-placed teams advancing to join hosts China PR at the 43rd edition of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™. Meanwhile, the six lowest-ranked fourth-placed teams will be relegated to the Development Phase of the next Qualifiers.

Concurrently, the Development Phase features 11 teams that are split into three groups, with the first and second-placed teams of each group to be promoted to the Qualification Phase of the next Qualifiers.

The teams will be back in action on Thursday, so do make sure to stay updated on all the action with the-AFC.com.

PS - Persib Bandung (IDN) 1-0 Manila Digger FC (PHI)

Mon, 31 Aug, 2026

PS - Persib Bandung (IDN) 1-0 Manila Digger FC (PHI)

Soreang: Mariano Peralta’s late goal gave Persib Bandung a 1-0 win over Manila Digger FC on Monday to secure the Indonesia outfit the last ticket to the AFC Champions League Two 2026/27™  Group Stage. 

The forward’s 88th-minute strike sees Persib joining Korea Republic’s FC Seoul, Australia’s Melbourne Victory FC and Vietnam’s The Cong - Viettel FC in Group E, which kicks off on September 16.

#AWCL Group Stage thrillers to be determined

Mon, 31 Aug, 2026

#AWCL Group Stage thrillers to be determined

Kuala Lumpur: The contenders for the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026/27™ will discover their Group Stage fate on September 3 (Thursday) at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

A cast of 12 clubs has been finalised following the conclusion of the Preliminary Stage—which witnessed a record number of participants—on Sunday, ahead of the third edition of the Continent’s premier women’s club tournament.

Akhmedov urges Uzbekistan clubs to aim high

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

Akhmedov urges Uzbekistan clubs to aim high

Kuala Lumpur: Odil Akhmedov has challenged Uzbekistan clubs to aim for the sky when they compete in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™.

Reaching the semi-finals is the best Uzbekistan clubs have managed on the highest stage of Asian club football, with four separate appearances achieved equally by Pakhtakor and FC Bunyodkor.

Uzbekistan football, however, is enjoying a purple patch -  as highlighted by various national team age-group successes and a first FIFA World Cup appearance - and Akhmedov wants to see his nation’s clubs emulating the achievements. 

Ueda makes Lille switch; Choudhury off to United

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

Ueda makes Lille switch; Choudhury off to United

Kuala Lumpur: Japan international Ayase Ueda traded Dutch football for the French Ligue as he secured a move to four-time champions Lille OSC.

Bangladesh international Hamza Choudhury will also be playing in new colours, having signed for Sheffield United in the English Championship.