Central & South Asia Wrap: Neftchi and Bunyodkor stay hot; Sepahan and Bashundhara slip

Mon, 10 Apr, 2023

Central & South Asia Wrap: Neftchi and Bunyodkor stay hot; Sepahan and Bashundhara slip

Fergana: Neftchi Fergana and Bunyodkor showed no signs of slowing down after registering victories in the Uzbekistan Super League. 

Sepahan lost their grip at the top of the Iran Pro League standings after a defeat against Tractor, which saw Esteghlal and Persepolis closing in.
 
Bashundhara Kings were held by Azampur Football Club Uttara in Bangladesh, while the Indian Super Cup kicked off, so join the-AFC.com as we recap the latest domestic news across Central and South Asia.

East Asia Wrap: Marinos triumph in Yokohama Derby; Jeonbuk get much-needed win

Mon, 10 Apr, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Marinos triumph in Yokohama Derby; Jeonbuk get much-needed win

Hong Kong: Reigning champions Yokohama F. Marinos moved three points behind leaders Vissel Kobe in Japan after a comprehensive 5-0 win over Yokohama FC in the Yokohama Derby on Saturday as Takayuki Yoshida’s Vissel were held goalless by Albirex Niigata. 

In Korea Republic, under-pressure Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors posted a much-needed 2-0 win over Incheon United on Sunday while Ulsan Hyundai maintained their perfect start to their title defence. Matches also took place in Hong Kong and Macau, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from across East Asia.

ASEAN Wrap: Buriram one point away; City victorious in derby

Mon, 10 Apr, 2023

ASEAN Wrap: Buriram one point away; City victorious in derby

Kuala Lumpur: Buriram United are close to defending their league title in Thailand as a 2-0 win over Lampang on Sunday meant that head coach Masatada Ishii’s side need just one point from their remaining four games to guarantee the club’s ninth Thai League 1 title. 

In Australia, Melbourne City sealed a Melbourne Derby victory on Wednesday to extend their lead to four points and Johor Darul Ta’zim's best-ever start to a domestic season in Malaysia continued as Esteban Solari’s free-scoring Southern Tigers overcame Kedah Darul Aman 6-0 to make it eight wins in a row.
 
Seia Kunori’s treble helped reigning champions Albirex Niigata (S) move within touching distance of leaders Tampines Rovers in Singapore while there were also matches in Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from across ASEAN. 

West Asia Wrap: Al Duhail lift Qatar Cup; Al Ittihad surge clear in Saudi Arabia

Mon, 10 Apr, 2023

West Asia Wrap: Al Duhail lift Qatar Cup; Al Ittihad surge clear in Saudi Arabia

Doha: Al Duhail SC stayed on course for a domestic quadruple after lifting the Qatar Cup by defeating Al Sadd SC.

In Saudi Arabia, Al Ittihad moved three points clear at the top after defeating Al Wehda.
 
Shabab Al Ahli, meanwhile, maintained their title winning pace in the United Arab Emirates while there was also domestic action in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait and Oman so join the-AFC.com as we review the week gone by in West Asia. 

Asian stars chasing European glory

Thu, 06 Apr, 2023

Asian stars chasing European glory

Kuala Lumpur: Football in Europe is entering its business end and many Asian players are still vying for coveted prizes in its club competitions, namely the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Women’s Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Europa Conference League. 

Since Korea Republic legend Park Ji-sung lifted the Champions League with Manchester United in 2008, Son Heung-min has reached the final with Tottenham Hotspur in 2019 and Japan’s Takumi Minamino did likewise with Liverpool in 2022, but both settled for runner-up medals just like Islamic Republic of Iran legend Ali Daei in 1999.