ASEAN Wrap: Song downs PSM; Kunimoto stars on JDT debut

Mon, 21 Aug, 2023

ASEAN Wrap: Song downs PSM; Kunimoto stars on JDT debut

Kuala Lumpur: PSM Makassar’s poor start to the season continued in Indonesia as the defending champions were beaten 1-0 by Persebaya Surabaya for whom Singapore attacking midfielder Song Ui-young scored the winner early in the first half on Friday. 

In Malaysia, former Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Casa Pia attacking midfielder Takahiro Kunimoto made a memorable debut for Johor Darul Ta’zim as the defending champions advanced to the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Cup with a massive 15-1 aggregate win over Kelantan FC on Saturday. 
 
Reigning champions Buriram United got their first win in Thailand as they beat Lamphun Warriors 3-0 on Sunday while there were also matches in Singapore, Cambodia, the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from ASEAN.

East Asia Wrap: Marinos back on top; Ulsan down Jeonbuk

Mon, 21 Aug, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Marinos back on top; Ulsan down Jeonbuk

Hong Kong: Reigning champions Yokohama F. Marinos returned to the top of the table in Japan on Saturday as a last-gasp 2-1 victory against FC Tokyo helped them leapfrog Vissel Kobe who dropped points in a 1-1 draw with Kashiwa Reysol. 

In Korea Republic, defending champions Ulsan Hyundai and last season’s runners-up Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors met in a heavyweight clash on Saturday, and it was Hong Myung-bo’s side that emerged as 1-0 winners with Um Won-sang scoring the goal that kept the leaders 11 points ahead at the front.  
 
Beijing FC and Shanghai Shenhua also renewed their rivalry in China PR and it was the capital city club who held on for a 2-1 win in front of more than 52,000 fans at Workers’ Stadium while there were also matches in Hong Kong, China and Guam, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia. 

Stage set for AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group Stage Draw

Fri, 18 Aug, 2023

Stage set for AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group Stage Draw

Kuala Lumpur: The battle lines for the best clubs in Asia will be determined when the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group Stage draw takes place at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on August 24, 2023 at 4pm. 

Marking the first instance of the AFC Club Competitions calendar shifting from its current Spring-Autumn season to an Autumn-Spring calendar, the 21st edition of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s flagship club competition will take place from September 2023 to May 2024. 

Scholz determined to take Urawa past Lee Man

Sun, 20 Aug, 2023

Scholz determined to take Urawa past Lee Man

Saitama: Urawa Red Diamonds’ Danish defender Alex Scholz has his eyes set on victory over Lee Man on Tuesday as the defending champions prepare to take on the Hong Kong Premier League runners-up in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 playoff at Saitama Stadium.

Lee Man handed Indonesia’s Bali United a 5-1 defeat last week to advance to the final preliminary round, but Scholz is determined that the three-time winners will be the side that progresses into Thursday’s draw for the Group Stage.

Gomis sold on 'Project Kawasaki'

Mon, 21 Aug, 2023

Gomis sold on 'Project Kawasaki'

Kawasaki: Two-time AFC Champions League™ winner Bafetimbi Gomis has said the desire to help Kawasaki Frontale return to the upper reaches of Japanese football was his principal motivation for joining the J1 League club.

The former Al Hilal forward, who led Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal SFC to the continental title in 2019 and 2021, has signed an initial six-month contract with Kawasaki with the option for an additional year and he is focused on lifting the club out of their current slump.

AFC Cup™ 2023/24 contenders set for Group Stage draw

Fri, 18 Aug, 2023

AFC Cup™ 2023/24 contenders set for Group Stage draw

Kuala Lumpur: The route to glory at the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 will be laid out in the official draw for the Group Stage on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at 2pm.

The 19th edition of the AFC Cup™ – the first to adhere to an autumn-spring schedule – will feature 36 clubs from the five AFC Zones across nine groups and is set to take place between September 2023 and May 2024.

#FIFAWWC: Asia in Review

Sun, 20 Aug, 2023

#FIFAWWC: Asia in Review

Sydney: The curtains came down on the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 on Sunday with Spain lifting the title for the very first time in their history.

Despite the trophy eluding Asia, it was a successful outing for the continent's six representatives so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how they fared.

Japan's Miyazawa claims Golden Boot

Sun, 20 Aug, 2023

Japan's Miyazawa claims Golden Boot

Sydney: Japan's Hinata Miyazawa claimed the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Golden Boot award following the conclusion of the tournament on Sunday.

Although Japan were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Sweden, Miyazawa's five goals saw her emerge topscorer.
 
It is a richly deserved award, with the midfielder emerging as one of the success stories of the tournament.