Central & South Asia Wrap: Sepahan break clear at the top; Perfect 10 for Bashundhara Kings

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

Central & South Asia Wrap: Sepahan break clear at the top; Perfect 10 for Bashundhara Kings

Tehran: Sepahan edged Zobahan 2-1 to move three points ahead of Persepolis at the top of the Islamic Republic of Iran Pro League.

Bashundhara Kings registered their 10th consecutive victory in the Bangladesh Premier League so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the latest domestic action across Central and South Asia.

Edmilson: Final within Al Duhail’s reach

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

Edmilson: Final within Al Duhail’s reach

Doha: Edmilson Junior believes Al Duhail SC have what it takes to make the AFC Champions League™ 2022 final after their gritty win over Al Rayyan SC in the Round of 16 on Sunday.

Al Duhail were tested to the limit by a hardy Al Rayyan who refused to give up despite staring at defeat, with Hernan Crespo’s side finally advancing with a 7-6 penalty shootout win after the tie ended 1-1 at the Al Thumama Stadium. 

Fighting performance a boost for Al Rayyan, says Cordova

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

Fighting performance a boost for Al Rayyan, says Cordova

Doha: There was heartbreak in the end but Nicolas Cordova was lifted by the performance of his Al Rayyan SC side in their AFC Champions League™ (West) 2022 Round of 16 tie against Al Duhail SC on Sunday.

Al Rayyan produced a fighting performance against Al Duhail, who needed penalties to see off the challenge of their fellow Qatari side at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. 

Cordova’s side refused to back down in the absorbing encounter, forcing the match to a shootout after drawing level through Steven Nzonzi deep in added time in the second period of extra-time, with Al Duhail goalkeeper Salah Zakaria saving Al Rayyan’s seventh spot-kick for a 7-6 win. 

Al Shabab cruise past FC Nasaf for last eight spot

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

Al Shabab cruise past FC Nasaf for last eight spot

Al Wakrah: Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab returned to the AFC Champions League™ quarter-finals for the first time since 2013 after defeating FC Nasaf of Uzbekistan 2-0 in the 2022 Round of 16 at Al Janoub Stadium on Sunday.

Al Shabab were quick to show their attacking intent from the start and could have been in front inside 60 seconds when Moteb Al Harbi applied the pressure on his opposite number on the left flank, regaining the ball and feeding Hussain Al Qahtani who rifled from the edge of the box but his effort passed just over the crossbar.

Al Duhail edge Al Rayyan to book q-final ticket

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

Al Duhail edge Al Rayyan to book q-final ticket

Doha: Goalkeeper Salah Zakaria was the hero as Al Duhail advanced to the AFC Champions League™ (West) 2022 quarter-finals with a 7-6 penalty shootout victory at the expense of neighbours Al Rayyan after the two sides had played out a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes at Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday.

Al Rayyan’s first foray into the knockout stages ended in heartbreak, while Al Duhail returned to the last eight of the competition for the fourth time in their history and the first since 2018.

West Asia Wrap: Bahrain's Khalidiya on the rise; Saudi Pro League sizzling

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

West Asia Wrap: Bahrain's Khalidiya on the rise; Saudi Pro League sizzling

Manama: Manama Club’s hold on the Bahraini Premier League is beginning to show signs of cracks as Khalidiya recorded an important win over the leaders, while the Saudi Pro League drama continues with three teams tied at the top of the standings. 

Plenty more action went down in West Asia as several leagues approached the halfway mark, so join the-AFC.com as we highlight the past week’s action in the region.

East Asia Wrap: Marinos defeat Kawasaki as J1 League kicks off; Kitchee retain lead in Hong Kong

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Marinos defeat Kawasaki as J1 League kicks off; Kitchee retain lead in Hong Kong

Hong Kong: After scoring in the Japanese Super Cup triumph over Ventforet Kofu in the season opener in Japan, Yokohama F. Marinos duo Takuma Nishimura and Elber were on target again on Friday as the defending champions edged Kawasaki Frontale 2-1 to begin their J1 League campaign in style.

Leaders Kitchee SC made it nine wins in a row in the Hong Kong Premier League with a 2-1 victory over BC Rangers which also enabled them to maintain their three-point advantage at the summit, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from East Asia.

ASEAN Wrap: Albirex lift Community Shield in Singapore; Leaders Melbourne City beaten in Australia

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

ASEAN Wrap: Albirex lift Community Shield in Singapore; Leaders Melbourne City beaten in Australia

Kuala Lumpur: League champions Albirex Niigata (S) downed cup winners Hougang United 3-0 on Sunday to win the Community Shield, the first silverware of the year in Singapore, as the annual fixture got the ball rolling for a new football season in the Lion City. 

In Australia, leaders Melbourne City fell to a surprise 3-2 defeat to local rivals Melbourne Victory on Saturday, but Rado Vidosic’s defending premiers still maintain a healthy seven-point lead over second-placed Central Coast Mariners in the A-League. 
 
Leaders Buriram United preserved their nine-point lead in Thailand while Indonesia witnessed PSM Makassar emerge as the new frontrunners and matches also took place in Vietnam, the Philippines and Cambodia, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from across Southeast Asia.