ASEAN Wrap: Buriram retain League Cup; City to face Mariners in Grand Final

Mon, 22 May, 2023

ASEAN Wrap: Buriram retain League Cup; City to face Mariners in Grand Final

Kuala Lumpur: Buriram United are on course for a treble in Thailand as they secured their second piece of silverware of the season by defeating BG Pathum United 2-0 in the Thai League Cup final on Saturday, to add to their Thai League 1 title that Masatada Ishii’s side won last month. 

After going down to Western United in last season’s Grand Final, Melbourne City will have another shot at the A-League title when they face Central Coast Mariners in the showpiece event in Australia after the duo wrapped up comfortable wins over Sydney FC and Adelaide United in the semi-finals over the weekend. 
 
Fernando Forestieri scored for the fourth game running as Johor Darul Ta’zim made it 11 wins out of 11 matches in Malaysia while there were also games in Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos and Brunei Darussalam, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from across ASEAN. 

East Asia Wrap: Southern lift cup; Marinos close in on Vissel

Mon, 22 May, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Southern lift cup; Marinos close in on Vissel

Hong Kong: Brazilian forward Stefan Pereira scored twice in the second half as Cheng Siu Chung’s Southern defeated Lee Man FC 2-0 in the final at Mong Kok Stadium on Saturday to lift the Sapling Cup in Hong Kong – the first-ever major piece of silverware for the Aberdeeners coming in their 21st year of existence. 

Left-back Katsuya Nagato scored his first goal of the season and also provided an assist as reigning J1 League champions Yokohama F. Marinos moved within three points of early-season leaders Vissel Kobe in Japan following a 2-0 win over Gamba Osaka on Saturday. 

Former Espanyol forward Wu Lei scored and assisted in Shanghai Port’s 2-0 win over Meizhou Hakka which moved them to the summit in China PR while matches also took place in Korea Republic, Chinese Taipei and Guam, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from across East Asia.

West Asia Wrap: Kuwait SC, Al Nahda clinch titles

Mon, 22 May, 2023

West Asia Wrap: Kuwait SC, Al Nahda clinch titles

Doha: Kuwait SC emerged champions of Kuwait on Saturday, clinching the title for a record 18th time.

Al Nahda emerged top in Oman as they ended a nine-year wait for the title.
 
The Saudi Pro League is set to go down to the wire, Air Force Club have taken over the lead in Iraq while Al Foutoua and Al Ittihad are involved in a neck-and-neck race in Syria so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the domestic action across West Asia. 

Hopefuls set for AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Qatar 2024 Qualifiers draw

Fri, 19 May, 2023

Hopefuls set for AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Qatar 2024 Qualifiers draw

Kuala Lumpur: The qualifying journey for the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Qatar 2024 will be revealed on Thursday, May 25, 2023 when the official draw ceremony takes place at 3pm local time at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

A total of 43 teams have submitted their interest to compete in the Qualifiers for the sixth edition of the tournament, which will be held from September 4 to 12 this year. 

China PR's Jankovic happy with available talent

Mon, 22 May, 2023

China PR's Jankovic happy with available talent

Hong Kong: China PR head coach Aleksandar Jankovic will be in no hurry to rejuvenate his squad in the build-up to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Finals next January as he looks to lead the country back to the upper reaches of the Asian game.

The Chinese have been drawn to face hosts Qatar as well as Tajikistan and Lebanon in Group A at the Finals with several players who represented the country at the last AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates in 2019 still integral to the national team squad.
 
But while key players such as goalkeeper Yan Junling, defender Zhang Linpeng, captain Wu Xi and striker Wu Lei are now reaching the veteran stage of their careers, Jankovic is convinced his squad retains the ability to compete with the continent’s best. 

Group C: Matsuki earns Japan winning start

Mon, 22 May, 2023

Group C: Matsuki earns Japan winning start

La Plata: A well-taken Kuryu Matsuki strike from the edge of the area proved enough for Japan to earn all three points from their opening FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023 encounter against Senegal at La Plata Stadium on Sunday.

Japan face Columbia - who defeated Israel 2-1 - next on Wednesday with a place in the knockout stage well within their reach.

Vote For Your Best #ACL2022 Team: Defenders

Fri, 19 May, 2023

Vote For Your Best #ACL2022 Team: Defenders

Kuala Lumpur: With yet another gripping AFC Champions League™ season now behind us, the-AFC.com continues its quest to find out who you, the fans, pick as the Best XI from this year's continental competition. 

Earlier in the week, we brought to you the nominees for the best goalkeeper from the 2022 edition of Asia’s premier club tournament, which was won by Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds after they defeated Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SFC, and now we present the candidates who could make up the back four of the Best XI. 
 
Here are the 12 players who are in contention for a place in the backline. Review the candidates and don't forget to select your favourite defenders for the AFC Champions League 2022 all-star XI in the polls below.