Central & South Asia Wrap: Persepolis hot on Esteghlal’s heels; Odisha and Basundhara slip

Mon, 26 Feb, 2024

Central & South Asia Wrap: Persepolis hot on Esteghlal’s heels; Odisha and Basundhara slip

Tehran: Defending champions Persepolis narrowed the gap at the top of the Iran Pro League with a 2-0 victory over Tractor after leaders Esteghlal were held to a 1-1 draw by Malavan.

In the Indian Super League (ISL), Odisha FC maintained their lead after a goalless draw against Mohun Bagan Super Giant, while Basundhara Kings remained in control at the summit of the Bangladesh Premier League.

The-AFC.com recaps the past week’s domestic action from Central & South Asia.

West Asia Wrap: Al Hussein on the rise, Al Nassr keep Al Hilal in sight

Mon, 26 Feb, 2024

West Asia Wrap: Al Hussein on the rise, Al Nassr keep Al Hilal in sight

Amman: Al Hussein SC took a significant step forward in their bid to win their first Jordanian league title as they racked up their 11th win from 12 matches this season.

Over in Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo and Anderson Talisca combined to help Al Nassr to a fourth win in all competitions to temporarily close the gap to Al Hilal SFC.

There was also exciting domestic action in Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates - so join the-AFC.com as we look at the past week's movers and shakers from West Asia.

ASEAN Wrap: Buriram extend lead; Mariners edge past Victory

Mon, 26 Feb, 2024

ASEAN Wrap: Buriram extend lead; Mariners edge past Victory

Buriram: Guilherme Bissoli was on target four times as defending champions Buriram United extended their lead in Thailand to three points after a 6-2 win against Police Tero on Sunday while Bangkok United slipped to third after their second consecutive draw – this time against BG Pathum United. 

Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Victory faced off on Sunday intending to close in on leaders Wellington Phoenix in Australia and it was Mariners who came out on top to cut the gap to three points. 
 
Leaders Nam Dinh suffered a 2-1 defeat to Binh Dinh in Vietnam while matches also took place in Indonesia and Cambodia, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from ASEAN.

East Asia Wrap: Vissel open with win; Shenhua lift Chinese Super Cup

Mon, 26 Feb, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Vissel open with win; Shenhua lift Chinese Super Cup

Hong Kong: Vissel Kobe’s title defence got off to a winning start against Jubilo Iwata in Japan while Yokohama F. Marinos followed up their midweek AFC Champions League™ triumph against Bangkok United with a victory over Tokyo Verdy.  

Cephas Malele scored the only goal of the game as Shanghai Shenhua edged city rivals Shanghai Port 1-0 to win the Chinese Super Cup as the domestic season in China PR kicked off on Sunday.
 
Kitchee SC reduced the gap to leaders Lee Man FC in Hong Kong while the season kicked off in Macau and there was also action in Guam, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.

IR Iran take bronze in style

Mon, 26 Feb, 2024

IR Iran take bronze in style

Dubai: Islamic Republic of Iran claimed third place in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024 Dubai with a 6-1 win over Belarus on Sunday.

Having suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat to Brazil in the semi-finals on Saturday, Iran turned on the power against Belarus, having also finished third in the 2017 edition. 
 
Brazil, meanwhile, claimed the title for the sixth time with a 6-4 win over Italy in the final. 

Japan’s lack of potency a concern for Ikeda

Sun, 25 Feb, 2024

Japan’s lack of potency a concern for Ikeda

Jeddah: Head coach Futoshi Ikeda was less than pleased after Japan settled for a goalless draw with DPR Korea in the first leg of their Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024™ Asian Qualifiers Round 3 tie on Saturday.

The Nadeshiko struggled to create chances with goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita needing to be in top form to deny the Koreans a lead to take into Wednesday’s return leg in Tokyo, leading Ikeda to ponder different options.

Gustavsson wants sharper Matildas in second leg

Sun, 25 Feb, 2024

Gustavsson wants sharper Matildas in second leg

Tashkent: Despite a commanding 3-0 advantage, head coach Tony Gustavsson wants Australia to be more clinical in the second leg of their Round 3 of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024™ Asian Qualifiers tie against Uzbekistan in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Gustavsson’s charges toiled in front of goal for 71 minutes at the Bunyodkor Stadium on Saturday before goals from Michelle Heyman, Mary Fowler and Caitlin Foord all but confirmed Australia’s berth at the Paris Olympics.

R16, 2nd Leg: What They Said

Fri, 23 Feb, 2024

R16, 2nd Leg: What They Said

Kuala Lumpur: The identity of the eight AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 quarter-finalists was decided this week as the Round of 16 concluded with the second leg games.

Playing the right way, ending seven years of hurt, and eyes on the prize all feature as the-AFC.com talks to those involved in the latest edition of the Continent's most prestigious competition.