Central & South Asia Wrap: Istiklol champions again; Arkadag secure title

Mon, 11 Dec, 2023

Central & South Asia Wrap: Istiklol champions again; Arkadag secure title

Dushanbe: FC Istiklol are confirmed as Tajikistan Higher League champions with two games to spare, extending their incredible hold on the league title they have won every season since 2014.

The league title was also won in Turkmenistan as FC Arkadag continued to be perfect, their 21st win of the season giving them an unassailable lead over Altyn Asyr.

Matches were also played in Islamic Republic of Iran, India, Uzbekistan, Bhutan and Maldives - so join the-AFC.com as we recap the action from the past week in Central and South Asia.

East Asia Wrap: Kawasaki lift Emperor’s Cup; Gangwon and Suwon survive

Mon, 11 Dec, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Kawasaki lift Emperor’s Cup; Gangwon and Suwon survive

Hong Kong: Kawasaki Frontale became Emperor's Cup champions in Japan for the second time in their history after they defeated Kashiwa Reysol on penalties in the final held in front of more than 60,000 supporters at Japan National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday. 

In Korea Republic, Gangwon FC and Suwon FC preserved their top-flight status as they prevailed over Gimpo FC and Busan IPark respectively in the relegation playoffs, meaning second division champions Gimcheon Sangmu will be the only new face in the top division next season. 
 
Lee Man FC maintained their three-point lead over holders Kitchee SC with a 3-2 win against Tai Po FC in Hong Kong while Taipower secured third place in Chinese Taipei with a 3-1 defeat of Hang Yuan on Sunday, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.

Player to Watch: Mehdi Taremi (IR Iran)

Sun, 10 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Mehdi Taremi (IR Iran)

Kuala Lumpur: Strikers from the Islamic Republic of Iran have long had to live in the shadow of those who have gone before them, such is the depth of historic talent to have led the line for Team Melli.

But over the last eight years Mehdi Taremi has established himself as a star in his own right for both club and country, joining the greats of Iranian football.

Player to Watch: Ali Al Hamadi (Iraq)

Sun, 10 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Ali Al Hamadi (Iraq)

Kuala Lumpur: Just two years after making his international debut, young Ali Al Hamadi has emerged as one of the most exciting Iraqi players in recent times, as the Lions of Mesopotamia prepare to compete at the AFC Asian Cup™ Qatar 2023.

Born in Maysan in the south of Iraq, Al Hamadi never played professional football in his country of birth. Instead, he came through the ranks at Tranmere Rovers and Swansea City, having emigrated to the UK with his parents from an early age.
 
Following a move to AFC Wimbledon in the third tier of English football, Al Hamadi grew into one of the most important players of his team, with eight goals in 17 games and a League Two September Player of The Month to his name already this season.

Asia at the FIFA Club World Cup

Sun, 10 Dec, 2023

Asia at the FIFA Club World Cup

Kuala Lumpur: Saudi Arabia is to follow in the footsteps of Japan, the UAE and Qatar in hosting the FIFA Club World Cup for the final edition of the competition in its current format, marking the 16th time the tournament has been held in Asia.

The two AFC representatives in Saudi Arabia 2023, Al Ittihad as the hosts and Urawa Red Diamonds as the reigning AFC Champions League™ winners, will be dreaming of bringing home the trophy for the first time in Asia’s history, but over the course of two decades, there have been some exceptional performances that saw clubs from the continent come close to winning the title.

Matchday Six: 5 things to look out for

Fri, 08 Dec, 2023

Matchday Six: 5 things to look out for

Kuala Lumpur: Just five places remain up for grabs in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 knockout rounds as the four remaining groups in the East get set to play their final round of fixtures on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Bangkok United, Kawasaki Frontale and Pohang Steelers have already won their respective groups, leaving top spot in the other two groups still to play for, while the three best-placed runners-up will also progress. 
 
Ahead of what is sure to be a gripping couple of days on the continent, the-AFC.com has selected five things to look out for. 

Test Your Knowledge - Round 9

Fri, 08 Dec, 2023

Test Your Knowledge - Round 9

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Cup™ quiz is back with more challenging questions about the continent's premier national team tournament.

Try it out to see how well versed you - the fans - are as the countdown for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ gathers pace. 

Group I: Tainan City FC (TPE) 4-2 Must CPK (MAC)

Sun, 10 Dec, 2023

Group I: Tainan City FC (TPE) 4-2 Must CPK (MAC)

Gaoxiong: Chinese Taipei’s Tainan City FC kept their hopes of qualifying for the AFC Cup™ 2023/24  Inter-Zone semi-finals alive with a 4-2 win over Macau’s Must CPK in their rescheduled Group I Matchday Two tie at the Nanzih Football Stadium on Sunday.

The win put Tainan City on nine points, with the two sides to meet again on Thursday. Taichung Futuro are leading the group on 12 points, with the Chinese Taipei side only needing a point from their final tie against FC Ulaanbaatar of Mongolia in their final game. 

Jurcevic steps down as Lebanon head coach

Sun, 10 Dec, 2023

Jurcevic steps down as Lebanon head coach

Beirut: Nikola Jurcevic has stepped down as the Lebanon national team head coach “by mutual consent”, the Lebanese Football Federation said on Saturday.

The Croatian was appointed head coach two months ago with the task of taking Lebanon to the AFC Asian Cup™ Qatar 2023, with the West Asian side to open their Group A campaign against the host nation on January 12.