Central & South Asia Wrap: Sepahan on a streak; FC Ahal rise to the top

Mon, 22 Aug, 2022

Central & South Asia Wrap: Sepahan on a streak; FC Ahal rise to the top

Bishkek: Sepahan FC have taken the early lead in the Iran Pro League, while FC Ahal stole the spotlight in Turkmenistan after overtaking FK Merw for the Yokary Liga top spot. 

The Uzbekistan Super League continues to see a close fight at the top, while FC Istiklol suffered their first loss in the Tajik League 2022/23 season. 

Join the-AFC.com as we highlight the domestic scene across Central and South Asia. 

ASEAN Wrap: PSM Makassar and Kuala Lumpur City victorious ahead of AFC Cup™ showdown

Mon, 22 Aug, 2022

ASEAN Wrap: PSM Makassar and Kuala Lumpur City victorious ahead of AFC Cup™ showdown

Kuala Lumpur: Both PSM Makassar and Kuala Lumpur City FC warmed up for Wednesday’s AFC Cup™ 2022 ASEAN Zonal final by picking up victories in Indonesia’s Liga 1 and the Malaysia Super League respectively as they prepared for the crunch continental tie in perfect fashion.

Buriram United put six past Sukothai to move into pole position in Thailand, yet another win for Hanoi FC in Vietnam opened up a nine-point lead at the summit and table-toppers Lion City Sailors were also big winners to stay in the driving seat in Singapore. 

Elsewhere, Laotian champions Young Elephants brought their undefeated season to a close with another win, while there were games in Myanmar, Cambodia and the Philippines, so join the-AFC.com as we look back at the best of the action from around Southeast Asia.

East Asia Wrap: Ulsan extend lead with milestone triumph; Sanfrecce up to second

Mon, 22 Aug, 2022

East Asia Wrap: Ulsan extend lead with milestone triumph; Sanfrecce up to second

Hong Kong: Ulsan Hyundai moved nine points clear of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at the top of the table in Korea Republic after coming from behind to defeat Gimcheon Sangmu 2-1 on Sunday with what was their 600th win in the K League. 

In Japan, Sanfrecce Hiroshima won for the third game in a row as they stormed to a 5-2 victory over Gamba Osaka to rise to second in the standings, while Shandong Taishan defeated Chengdu Roncheng to keep the pressure on Chinese Super League leaders Wuhan Three Towns. 

Elsewhere, there was nothing to separate the top two in Chinese Taipei, so join the-AFC.com as we review the latest set of fixtures from across East Asia. 

West Asia Wrap: Winning start for Al Seeb Club; Al Arabi stay perfect

Sun, 21 Aug, 2022

West Asia Wrap: Winning start for Al Seeb Club; Al Arabi stay perfect

Dubai: Al Seeb Club kicked off their defence of the Oman Pro League title with an emphatic win over Al Bashair.

In Qatar, Al Arabi stayed perfect as they made it three wins out of three while defending champions Al Sadd and Al Duhail registered their first victories of the season.

Join the-AFC.com as we review the past week's domestic action in West Asia. 

Preview - QF: Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) v BG Pathum United (THA)

Mon, 22 Aug, 2022

Preview - QF: Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) v BG Pathum United (THA)

Saitama: Urawa Red Diamonds coach Ricardo Rodriguez has warned his players against complacency ahead of their AFC Champions League™ 2022 quarter-final meeting with Thailand’s BG Pathum United at the Saitama Stadium 2002 on Monday.

The two-time champions cruised into the last eight with a comprehensive 5-0 win over Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim on Friday prompting hopes of another run deep into the competition, but the Spanish coach wants the focus to be solely on the immediate task at hand.

Preview - QF: Vissel Kobe (JPN) v Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR)

Mon, 22 Aug, 2022

Preview - QF: Vissel Kobe (JPN) v Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR)

Saitama: Vissel Kobe and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are both equally confident of their chances ahead of their AFC Champions League™ 2022 (East) quarter-final clash at the Saitama Stadium 2002 on Monday.

Japan's Vissel Kobe will be looking to make the semi-finals again after having done so in their debut appearance in 2020 while Jeonbuk have not appeared at the last four stage since winning the second of their two AFC Champions League titles in 2016.

ASEAN Zonal Final 2022: Ones to Watch

Mon, 22 Aug, 2022

ASEAN Zonal Final 2022: Ones to Watch

Kuala Lumpur: There are just two days to go to the AFC Cup™ 2022 ASEAN Zonal Final with Kuala Lumpur City FC of Malaysia and Indonesia’s PSM Makassar set to lock horns in the latest chapter of their nations’ regional rivalry.

Having previously shared a goalless draw in the group stage, the two sides will now face off in a single-leg final at Kuala Lumpur Stadium on Wednesday. 

We look at six players – three from each of the finalists – who could prove to be the difference-makers.

Nuengrutai: Hard work pays off for College of Asian Scholars

Mon, 22 Aug, 2022

Nuengrutai: Hard work pays off for College of Asian Scholars

Chonburi: College of Asian Scholars head coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian praised her players for winning the AFC Women’s Club Championship™ 2022 East title following their 0-0 draw with Taichung Blue Whale FC of Chinese Taipei at the Chonburi Stadium on Sunday.

College of Asian Scholars finished top on goal difference, having tied with Blue Whale on four points.