ASEAN Wrap: Mariners crowned A-League champions; Phnom Penh defend League Cup

Mon, 05 Jun, 2023

ASEAN Wrap: Mariners crowned A-League champions; Phnom Penh defend League Cup

Kuala Lumpur: Central Coast Mariners secured their second A-League championship in Australia on Saturday as Jason Cummings netted a hat-trick to help Nick Montgomery’s side defeat Premiers and heavy favourites Melbourne City 6-1 in the Grand Final in Sydney. 

Phnom Penh Crown became back-to-back League Cup winners in Cambodia as they defeated Nagaworld on penalties while reigning champions and leaders Johor Darul Ta’zim remain perfect in Malaysia as they overcame Penang for their 13th win from as many matches. 
 
In Singapore, Lion City Sailors edged Balestier Khalsa in a nine-goal thriller to move three points behind leaders Tampines Rovers while there were also matches in Vietnam, Myanmar, the Philippines, Laos and Brunei Darussalam, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from across ASEAN. 

Vote for your Best Goal of #ACL2022: Semi-final 1 (East)

Wed, 31 May, 2023

Vote for your Best Goal of #ACL2022: Semi-final 1 (East)

Kuala Lumpur: Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds last month became Asian champions for the third time when they overcame Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SFC in the title clash of the AFC Champions League 2022 – a tournament that saw 384 goals scored in 130 matches at an average of almost three goals every 90 minutes. 

Now it’s your turn, as the fans of Asian football, to select which among the lot deserves to be considered the best. In the first of the two semi-finals, the-AFC.com brings you eight fantastic goals from the East Asia section of the draw to look back on.
 
After reviewing our selection, don’t forget to vote for your favourite in the poll at the bottom of the article to help decide which of the goals will advance to a final to face the best goals from the West Asia side of the draw. 

Central & South Asia Wrap: Church Boys almost there; Alga stay ahead

Mon, 05 Jun, 2023

Central & South Asia Wrap: Church Boys almost there; Alga stay ahead

Bishkek: Church Boys are on the verge of claiming the Nepal A-Division League title after back-to-back wins this past week.

Alga, meanwhile, continue to lead the Kyrgyz Premier League while there was also action in Bangladesh and Tajikistan. 
 
Join the-AFC.com as we review the domestic scene across Central and South Asia. 

West Asia Wrap: Al Ittihad sign off in style; Al Shorta regain lead

Mon, 05 Jun, 2023

West Asia Wrap: Al Ittihad sign off in style; Al Shorta regain lead

Doha: Al Ittihad celebrated lifting the title with a 2-0 win over Al Ta'ee as the curtains came down on the 2022-23 Saudi Pro League season.

In Iraq, defending champions Al Shorta are back in front with just six matches to go with the rest of the West Asian leagues already concluded. 

Choi heads Korea Republic into semi-finals

Mon, 05 Jun, 2023

Choi heads Korea Republic into semi-finals

Santiago del Estero: Choi Seok-hyun’s extra-time header earned Korea Republic a 1-0 victory over Nigeria in a tense FIFA U20 World Cup Argentina 2023 quarter-final on Sunday.

The young Taegeuk Warriors will now face Italy on Thursday for a place in the final.

Klinsmann leaves Serie A title-winner Min-jae out of squad

Mon, 05 Jun, 2023

Klinsmann leaves Serie A title-winner Min-jae out of squad

Seoul: Kim Min-jae will miss Korea Republic’s friendly matches against Peru and El Salvador next week after head coach Jurgen Klinsmann left the Napoli defender out of his 23-man squad for the games in Busan and Daejon.

Kim was named Serie A’s best defender for the season after playing a key role in Napoli’s first league title win in 33 years but the 26-year-old former Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors centre-half has been rested for the games on June 16 and 20.

Australia great Wilkinson calls time on career

Thu, 01 Jun, 2023

Australia great Wilkinson calls time on career

Sydney: AFC Asian Cup-winning defender and former Australia international Alex Wilkinson has retired from professional football, his club Sydney FC confirmed on Thursday.

The 38-year-old, part of the Socceroos squad that claimed the AFC Asian Cup™ on home soil in 2015, also won five A-League Premierships during stints with Central Coast Mariners and Sydney as well as two K-League titles with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in a career that spanned more than two decades.