ASEAN Wrap: Melbourne reach semis; Madura lead in Indonesia

Mon, 18 Sep, 2023

ASEAN Wrap: Melbourne reach semis; Madura lead in Indonesia

Kuala Lumpur: Melbourne City needed a late winner from Tolgay Arslan to defeat MetroStars 2-1 on Thursday and enter the semi-finals of the Australia Cup where they will face Sydney FC, while Brisbane Roar will take on Melbourne Knights in the other last-four clash. 

Madura United remain four points clear at the top of the standings in Indonesia after a 3-0 win against Persebaya Surabaya on Sunday while their closest challengers Borneo and RANS Nusantara, tied on the same points after 12 rounds, kept up the pressure on the leaders with wins during the week. 
 
Tadanari Lee, Japan's 2011 AFC Asian Cup™ Final hero, hit a double in his final professional match, with Brazilian striker Bergson also bagging two goals as holders Johor Darul Ta’zim defeated Negeri Sembilan in the first leg of their Malaysia Cup quarter-final, while there were also matches in Thailand and Cambodia, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from ASEAN.

East Asia Wrap: Sanfrecce stun Vissel; Pohang close in on Ulsan

Mon, 18 Sep, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Sanfrecce stun Vissel; Pohang close in on Ulsan

Hong Kong: The battle for the league title in Japan took another twist this week as leaders Vissel Kobe were beaten 2-0 by Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Saturday leaving just one point between them and defending champions Yokohama F. Marinos in second place with seven games remaining. 

The title race in Korea Republic is also heating up as it enters the home stretch after Pohang Steelers defeated Suwon FC 2-0 on Saturday to move six points behind leaders and reigning champions Ulsan Hyundai, who continued their recent struggles with a 1-1 draw against Daejeon Hana Citizen. 
 
Shanghai Port moved another step closer to the league title in China PR with a 2-0 defeat of Changchun Yatai on Friday while there were also matches taking place in Hong Kong and Guam, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Muras United lift Kyrgyz Republic Cup; Paro lead the way in Bhutan

Mon, 18 Sep, 2023

Central & South Asia Wrap: Muras United lift Kyrgyz Republic Cup; Paro lead the way in Bhutan

Bishkek: Muras United emerged as champions of the Kyrgyz Republic Cup 2023 after they defeated Abdysh-Ata Kant while in the league, Alay stole a march on their challengers to move to the top of the standings.

There were also matches in the Bhutan Premier League and Turkmenistan Higher League as domestic football returned after the international break, so join the-AFC.com as we go through the action from Central and South Asia.

#ACL 2023/24: Ones to Watch (East)

Fri, 15 Sep, 2023

#ACL 2023/24: Ones to Watch (East)

Kuala Lumpur: The wait for the 2023/24 AFC Champions League™ is almost over with the group stage set to kick off on Monday as 40 clubs across the continent battle it out for the ultimate prize in Asian club football.

It is the first time since the beginning of the 2020 campaign and the onset of COVID-19 that the group stage will return to the home-and-away format with the Matchday One games taking place in 18 countries across Asia.  
 
As we countdown the hours to the big kick-off, the-AFC.com takes a look at five players from the East side of the draw who could play a pivotal role for their clubs during what promises to be the most star-studded AFC Champions League season yet. 

#ACL 2023/24: Ones to Watch (West)

Sat, 16 Sep, 2023

#ACL 2023/24: Ones to Watch (West)

Riyadh: As the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 gets underway on Monday, the five West groups will feature an unprecedented level of star power, with some of the world’s finest players moving to Asia over the course of the past few months.

Asia’s top club competition will for the first time boast not one, but two former Ballon d’Or winners, as well as some prolific AFC Champions League perennials and some of their respective nations’ all-time top scorers. The-AFC.com looks at some of the most exciting players to watch ahead of the group stage.

Serial winner Marega determined to power Sharjah to glory

Sat, 16 Sep, 2023

Serial winner Marega determined to power Sharjah to glory

Sharjah: After two very successful seasons at Al Hilal in which he helped the Saudi club win the AFC Champions League™ 2021, Malian forward Moussa Marega returns to the competition in new colours this season.

With his former club investing in seven new foreign players, Marega completed a move to UAE Pro League side Sharjah FC earlier this month. He leaves behind an exceptional legacy in Riyadh, having reached the AFC Champions League final in both of his two seasons at the club.
 
Perhaps no moment symbolises Marega’s impact in Riyadh than his goal in the semi-final of the 2021 edition. After a tense start at King Saud University Stadium, Marega moved into the right half-space, receiving Bafetimbi Gomis’ pass and applying the finish into the far corner past the goalkeeper to open the scoring and set the tone for a famous 2-1 derby victory that sent his team into the final.