Central & South Asia Wrap: Mumbai City champions again; exciting race continues in IR Iran

Mon, 06 May, 2024

Central & South Asia Wrap: Mumbai City champions again; exciting race continues in IR Iran

Kolkata: Mumbai City FC lifted the ISL Cup for the second time when they registered a comeback 3-1 win against Mohun Bagan Super Giant to emerge Indian Super League 2023-24 Cup winners.

In the Iran Pro League,  leaders Esteghlal and defending champions Persepolis dropped points while in Bangladesh, Bashundhara Kings seem to be running away with the title.
 
The-AFC.com recaps the latest domestic league action across Central and South Asia.

ASEAN Wrap: Svay Rieng crowned Cambodian champions; Sailors lift Community Shield

Mon, 06 May, 2024

ASEAN Wrap: Svay Rieng crowned Cambodian champions; Sailors lift Community Shield

Kuala Lumpur: A week after lifting the Hun Sen Cup, Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng added another piece of silverware to their trophy cabinet when they registered a 4-1 victory against Boeung Ket on Saturday to emerge as the champions of the Cambodian Premier League for the first time since 2019.

The domestic season in Singapore kicked off with the Community Shield on Saturday and it was cup winners Lion City Sailors who came out on top after defeating league winners Albirex Niigata (S) 2-0.
 
Goalkeeper Paul Izzo had a game to remember in Melbourne Victory’s penalty shootout win against Melbourne City while matches also took place in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from ASEAN.

East Asia Wrap: Pohang remain top with late win; Shenhua stay clear of Port

Mon, 06 May, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Pohang remain top with late win; Shenhua stay clear of Port

Hong Kong: Pohang Steelers maintained a one-point advantage at the top of the K League 1 with a last-gasp 1-0 victory against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors as defending champions Ulsan Hyundai continued to put pressure on the leaders with a dramatic late win against FC Seoul on Saturday.

Shanghai Shenhua stayed five points clear in the Chinese Super League after a 4–0 defeat of Zhejiang FC as their city rivals and reigning champions Shanghai Port registered a resounding 6-0 victory against Shenzhen Peng City on Sunday.
 
Vissel Kobe got their title defence back on track in Japan after they overcame Nagoya Grampus 2-0 on Friday while matches also took place in Hong Kong, Mongolia, Chinese Taipei and Macau, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.

Vote for your #AFCU23 NEOM Future Star of the Tournament

Mon, 06 May, 2024

Vote for your #AFCU23 NEOM Future Star of the Tournament

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ bore witness to a showcase of the continent's finest young talents, as they captivated the continent with their skill and tenacity in the battle for the title and places in the Paris Olympics 2024. 

After Japan’s win over Uzbekistan in the final, the-AFC.com now looks back on the competition and asks you, the fans, to determine the standout NEOM Future Star of the Tournament. 
 
We’ve selected six nominees who delivered eye-catching performances throughout the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024, so review the list and don’t forget to vote for your favourite NEOM Future Star at the bottom of the article. 

Preview - Group B: China PR v Australia

Tue, 07 May, 2024

Preview - Group B: China PR v Australia

Bali: Head coach Rae Dower says Australia are coming into the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Indonesia™ 2024 with a winning mindset with her side kicking off their Group B campaign against China PR at the Bali United Training Center on Tuesday. 

While Australia have yet to win the title, Dower’s side showed their pedigree by topping their group in the Qualifiers Round 2 with three wins.

Preview - Group B: Japan v Thailand

Tue, 07 May, 2024

Preview - Group B: Japan v Thailand

Bali: Japan will be aiming to kickstart their campaign with victory over Thailand in Group B of the AFC Women’s U17 Asian Cup Indonesia™ 2024 at the Captain 1 Wayan Dipta Stadium on Tuesday.

Thailand have not reached the knockout stage since 2015 and will be focused on doing so when they face a Japanese side who are looking to add to their four AFC U-16 Women’s Championship titles. 

Jackson: Central Coast's triumph proves Australian football can compete with the best

Mon, 06 May, 2024

Jackson: Central Coast's triumph proves Australian football can compete with the best

Muscat: Central Coast Mariners' AFC Cup™ 2023/24 triumph is a boost for Australian football, said a delighted Mark Jackson on Sunday.

Alou Kuol's 84th minute strike at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex clinched the title for Central Coast, with the triumph coming a decade after Western Sydney Wanderers had lifted the AFC Champions League™ title.

We tried but Mariners were better, admits Al Ahed's Mohamad

Mon, 06 May, 2024

We tried but Mariners were better, admits Al Ahed's Mohamad

Muscat: Raafat Mohamad admitted defeat in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 final was a bitter fact to accept but was nonetheless proud of Al Ahed FC's drive and determination in Sunday's final at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.

Seeking to win the AFC Cup for a second time, Lebanon's Al Ahed had to be satisfied with a second place finish following Alou Kuol's late winner for Australia's Central Coast Mariners.

Vietnam appoint Kim Sang-sik as men’s head coach

Sun, 05 May, 2024

Vietnam appoint Kim Sang-sik as men’s head coach

Hanoi: The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has appointed Kim Sang-sik as men’s national team and Under-23 head coach for a two-year period starting May 2024.

The 47-year-old Korean replaces Philippe Troussier, who left by mutual consent following a disappointing run of results culminating in a 3-0 loss to Indonesia in the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.