Central & South Asian Wrap: Istiklol edge closer, Goa return to the top

Mon, 04 Dec, 2023

Central & South Asian Wrap: Istiklol edge closer, Goa return to the top

Rudaki: FC Istiklol only need one point from their remaining three matches to retain the Tajikistan Higher League title after another win in the Championship Round.

In the Indian Super League, FC Goa secured two wins the past week to overtake Kerala Blasters at the top of the standings.

Action also took place in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Bhutan and Maldives, so join the-AFC.com as we recap the latest from Central and South Asia.

Preview - Group D: Mumbai City (IND) v Navbahor (UZB)

Sun, 03 Dec, 2023

Preview - Group D: Mumbai City (IND) v Navbahor (UZB)

Pune: Navbahor will be determined to get full points when they travel to face Mumbai City in Group D of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Monday.

On 10 points, victory will surely seal Navbahor one of the three Round of 16 spots available for the second-placed teams from the West Zone.

Preview - Group D: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Nassaji Mazandaran (IRN)

Sun, 03 Dec, 2023

Preview - Group D: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Nassaji Mazandaran (IRN)

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC will aim to end their group stage campaign with a fifth consecutive win when they host Nassaji Mazandaran on Monday.

Last week's 2-0 win over Uzbekistan's Navbahor confirmed the four-time Asian champions as the Group D winners but the in-form side will not be satisfied with that.

Preview - Group C: Al Ittihad FC (KSA) v Sepahan FC (IRN)

Tue, 05 Dec, 2023

Preview - Group C: Al Ittihad FC (KSA) v Sepahan FC (IRN)

Mekkah: Al Ittihad FC will be braced for a tough test when they host Sepahan FC in Group C of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Monday.

Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad are, irrespective of the result at the King Abdulaziz Sport City, assured of their spot in the Round of 16 while Islamic Republic of Iran's Sepahan need three points to be absolutely sure. 

Preview - Group C: Air Force Club (IRQ) v AGMK FC (UZB)

Sun, 03 Dec, 2023

Preview - Group C: Air Force Club (IRQ) v AGMK FC (UZB)

Erbil: Air Force Club and AGMK FC will be playing for pride when they meet in Group C of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Monday.

Air Force Club's Round of 16 hopes were dashed following last week's 1-0 defeat to Sepahan FC while AGMK have failed to find their footing on the continental stage, with no points to show heading into their final match of the season.

Preview - Group B: Al Sadd SC (QAT) v FC Nasaf (UZB)

Sun, 03 Dec, 2023

Preview - Group B: Al Sadd SC (QAT) v FC Nasaf (UZB)

Doha: Al Sadd SC and FC Nasaf cannot afford to hold back when they square off in Group B of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Monday.

A win will seal Uzbekistan's Nasaf the top spot and a place in the Round of 16 while Al Sadd need the points to keep their hopes of advancing alive.

Preview - Group B: Al Faisaly (JOR) v Sharjah FC (UAE)

Sun, 03 Dec, 2023

Preview - Group B: Al Faisaly (JOR) v Sharjah FC (UAE)

Amman: Sharjah FC have to win when they face Al Faisaly in their final AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group B match at the Amman International Stadium on Monday. 

The UAE side trail leaders FC Nasaf by two points with only the group winners assured of an automatic spot in the Round of 16.

East Asia Wrap: Gangwon draw sends Bluewings down; Sanfrecce pip Urawa

Mon, 04 Dec, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Gangwon draw sends Bluewings down; Sanfrecce pip Urawa

Hong Kong: Four-time champions Suwon Samsung Bluewings were relegated in Korea Republic for the first time in their history after a goalless draw to fellow strugglers Gangwon FC on the final day on Saturday saw them finish bottom and end their 28-year stay in the top division.

In Japan, Sanfrecce Hiroshima qualified for next season’s AFC Champions League™ 2 with a dramatic 1-0 win against Avispa Fukuoka, while Yokohama FC finished last following a 2-1 defeat to Kashima Antlers in their final outing and were relegated to the second tier. 
 
Tainan City FC successfully completed their title defence in Chinese Taipei with two matches to spare while holders Kitchee SC stayed within touching distance of leaders Lee Man FC in Hong Kong, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.

Japanese football great Shinji Ono retires at 44

Mon, 04 Dec, 2023

Japanese football great Shinji Ono retires at 44

Sapporo: Japanese great Shinji Ono retired from football at the age of 44 on Sunday, ending a career that saw him become the first player from his country to win a European club trophy.

Ono was part of the Feyenoord team that beat Borussia Dortmund in the 2002 UEFA Cup final, during a successful four-year stint with the Dutch club.
 
Nicknamed "Genius", Ono made his international debut as an 18-year-old and played for Japan at the FIFA World Cup in France 1998 two months later.

Matchday Six: 5 things to look out for

Sun, 03 Dec, 2023

Matchday Six: 5 things to look out for

Kuala Lumpur: It’s do-or-die time as the group stage of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 has reached its final round of games with all 20 sides in the West set to take to the pitch for the Matchday Six fixtures in the coming days.

Over in the East, meanwhile, only the teams from Group J will face off this week as defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds look to continue their recovery from being on the brink of elimination and increase their chances of advancing to the knockout rounds. 
 
Ahead of the games, the-AFC.com has selected five things to look out for.