Central & South Asia Wrap: Abdysh-Ata retain league title, Istiklol win cup

Mon, 06 Nov, 2023

Central & South Asia Wrap: Abdysh-Ata retain league title, Istiklol win cup

Kant: The 2023 Kyrgyz Premier League came to a close last week with Abdysh-Ata Kant sealing their second straight league title that comes with a place on the continental stage in the 2024/25 AFC Champions League 2.

There were also winners in Tajikistan with FC Istiklol emerging as the Tajikistan Cup champions, their 10th time lifting the coveted trophy.

Over in Uzbekistan, Pakhtakor remained the firm favourites for the league title while in Islamic Republic of Iran, Esteghlal and Persepolis were reined in by Malavan.

Domestic action also took place in Turkmenistan, India and Bhutan - so join the-AFC.com as we get you up to date with the latest from Central and South Asia.

East Asia Wrap: Pohang win FA Cup; Fukuoka script history

Mon, 06 Nov, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Pohang win FA Cup; Fukuoka script history

Hong Kong: A stunning late surge from Pohang Steelers helped them get the better of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the final at the Steelyard on Saturday and win their fifth FA Cup title in Korea Republic to become the joint most successful club in the tournament’s history. 

In Japan, Avispa Fukuoka won the first major piece of silverware in their 41-year history after they defeated Urawa Red Diamonds 2-1 in the final of the J.League Cup in Tokyo’s Japan National Stadium in front of a crowd of nearly 62,000 on Saturday. 
 
Dalian Pro’s six-year stay in the top division came to an end with a defeat on the final matchday in China PR while there were also matches taking place in Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and Mongolia, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.

UAE at the AFC Asian Cup™

Mon, 06 Nov, 2023

UAE at the AFC Asian Cup™

Kuala Lumpur: United Arab Emirates will be chasing a maiden AFC Asian Cup™ title in Qatar 2023. 

Drawn in Group C, UAE will have three-time champions Islamic Republic of Iran, Hong Kong, China and Palestine for company. 

Preview - Group B: FC Nasaf (UZB) v Sharjah FC (UAE)

Sun, 05 Nov, 2023

Preview - Group B: FC Nasaf (UZB) v Sharjah FC (UAE)

Namangan: FC Nasaf will be desperate for three points when they host Sharjah FC in Group B of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Monday.

Nasaf suffered a 1-0 defeat to their opponents from the United Arab Emirates on Matchday Three, leaving the Uzbekistan side a point behind Sharjah heading into the reverse fixture. 

Preview - Group C: Air Force Club (IRQ) v Al Ittihad FC (KSA)

Sun, 05 Nov, 2023

Preview - Group C: Air Force Club (IRQ) v Al Ittihad FC (KSA)

Erbil: Air Force Club will attempt to pull themselves back in the race for a Round of 16 spot when they host Al Ittihad FC in Group C of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Monday.

A 1-0 defeat to the Saudi Arabian side left Iraq's Air Force Club five points off the pace at the midway point of the tournament.

Preview - Group D: Mumbai City (IND) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Sun, 05 Nov, 2023

Preview - Group D: Mumbai City (IND) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Navi Mumbai: Neymar will not be present but that won't make it any easier for Mumbai City in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group D clash with Al Hilal SFC on Monday. 

Mumbai City will head into the tie with no points to show while two-time AFC Champions League winners Al Hilal look set to advance to the Round of 16.

Preview - Group B: Al Faisaly (JOR) v Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Sun, 05 Nov, 2023

Preview - Group B: Al Faisaly (JOR) v Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Amman: Al Sadd SC will aim to continue their revival when they travel to face Al Faisaly in Group B of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Monday.

A resounding 6-0 win over the Jordanian side two weeks ago saw Qatar's Al Sadd reviving their hopes and the 2011 AFC Champions League winners will be determined to not slip up in the reverse fixture. 

Preview - Group C: Sepahan FC (IRN) v AGMK FC (UZB)

Sun, 05 Nov, 2023

Preview - Group C: Sepahan FC (IRN) v AGMK FC (UZB)

Tehran: Sepahan FC and AGMK FC are set for an exciting AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group C clash at the Azadi Stadium on Monday.

Both sides need to win - albeit for different reasons - with Islamic Republic of Iran's Sepahan on four points while AGMK are on a run of three consecutive defeats.

Preview - Group D: Nassaji Mazandaran (IRN) v Navbahor (UZB)

Sun, 05 Nov, 2023

Preview - Group D: Nassaji Mazandaran (IRN) v Navbahor (UZB)

Tehran: Nassaji Mazandaran know only a win will suffice when they meet Navbahor in Group D of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Monday.

The debutants from Islamic Republic of Iran head into the second half of the group stage on three points, four adrift of leaders Al Hilal SFC of Saudi Arabia.