ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Marinos secure Japanese Super Cup; Doumbouya rescues Buriram

Mon, 13 Feb, 2023

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Marinos secure Japanese Super Cup; Doumbouya rescues Buriram

Hong Kong: Takuma Nishimura bagged the winner as J1 League champions Yokohama F. Marinos defeated the 2022 Emperor’s Cup winners Ventforet Kofu 2-1 to claim their maiden Japanese Super Cup title in the season curtain raiser in Tokyo on Saturday. 

Guinean striker Lonsana Doumbouya scored four times in two games for Buriram United in Thailand, including an extra-time winner against Uthai Thani FC to send his side into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and another to rescue a 4-4 draw against Muangthong United in Thai League 1. 
 
In Australia, Melbourne City extended their lead at the top of the A-League with a 4-2 defeat of Perth Glory while matches also took place in Indonesia, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Cambodia, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from across ASEAN and East Asia.

West Asia Wrap: Thrilling race continues in Saudi Arabia; Al Duhail, Al Saad set up Qatar Cup final

Mon, 13 Feb, 2023

West Asia Wrap: Thrilling race continues in Saudi Arabia; Al Duhail, Al Saad set up Qatar Cup final

Doha: Al Ittihad turned on the power as they took a share of the lead in the Saudi Pro League, with three teams tied on 37 points at the top of the standings.

Al Duhail and Al Sadd, meanwhile, are set to face off in the 2022 Qatar Cup final while in the UAE, Sharjah are the new leaders.
 
There was also action in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon and Palestine so join the-AFC.com as review the latest round of domestic action across West Asia.

FC Nasaf's continental journey through the years

Fri, 10 Feb, 2023

FC Nasaf's continental journey through the years

Kuala Lumpur: When FC Nasaf take to the pitch against Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab in Al Wakrah in Qatar on February 19, they will become the fourth Uzbek side to appear in the AFC Champions League™ knockout rounds and first from outside of the capital, Tashkent. 

The knockout fixture at Al Janoub Stadium may mark the Qarshi-based side’s first appearance in the Round of 16, but Nasaf have no shortage of pedigree when it comes to Asian club competitions, having lifted the AFC Cup™ in 2011. 
 
And while the Tashkent trio of Pakhtakor, Bunyodkor and Lokomotiv have dominated domestically over the past two decades, Nasaf remain the only club from the Central Asian country who can lay claim to being a continental champion. 
 
As Ruziqul Berdiev’s team prepare for the last 16 tie against the Riyadh giants, the-AFC.com looks back at Nasaf’s performances on the continent over the last 20 years. 

#ACL2022 (West) R16 - How they got there

Sat, 11 Feb, 2023

#ACL2022 (West) R16 - How they got there

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League™ 2022 resumes with the West Zone set to decide its finalist in Doha in the coming days.

Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds, having booked their spot from the East Zone last August, await their final opponents with a quality cast set to do battle in the West Zone Round of 16 on February 19 and 20. 
 
Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how the eight teams reached the West Zone’s last 16 stage. 

Join the AFC Champions League™ 2022 Fan Quiz

Wed, 08 Feb, 2023

Join the AFC Champions League™ 2022 Fan Quiz

Kuala Lumpur: Building on the success of the East edition of the AFC Champions League™ Fan Quiz, passionate fans in the West now have the chance to win two tickets to watch the first leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 Final on April 29, 2023, set to be held in the West.

The prize is inclusive of two return flights, accommodation, and two tickets to the AFC Champions League™ 2022 Final.

Competitive Al Hilal please Diaz

Sun, 12 Feb, 2023

Competitive Al Hilal please Diaz

Rabat: Head coach Ramon Diaz admitted Real Madrid were the superior team but applauded his Al Hilal SFC side for going toe-to-toe with the European champions in the FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2022 final on Saturday.

Real Madrid, in lifting the trophy for a record-extending fifth time, seized control from the start but reigning AFC Champions League™ holders Al Hilal refused to give up, with the thrilling final ultimately ending 5-3 in favour of the Spanish side.