Central & South Asian Wrap: Pakhtakor champs again, Kerala move to the summit

Mon, 27 Nov, 2023

Central & South Asian Wrap: Pakhtakor champs again, Kerala move to the summit

Termez: Pakhtakor FC wrapped up the 2023 Uzbekistan Super League title on Friday after Navbahor slipped up at Olympic, as the Lions emerged champions for the 16th time.

In the Indian Super League, a third straight win for Kerala Blasters saw them climb to the top spot. 

In the Iran Pro League, Esteghlal FC and Zobahan met in a top of the table clash and there was also action in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Bhutan and Maldives - so join the-AFC.com as we bring to up to date with the latest from Central and South Asia.

East Asia Wrap: Vissel seal maiden league title; Shenhua lift Chinese FA Cup

Mon, 27 Nov, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Vissel seal maiden league title; Shenhua lift Chinese FA Cup

Hong Kong: Vissel Kobe sealed their very first league title in Japan with a game to spare after they defeated Nagoya Grampus 2-1 on Saturday and their closest challengers and outgoing champions Yokohama F. Marinos dropped points in a goalless draw against Albirex Niigata. 

Shanghai Shenhua and Shandong Taishan faced each other in a repeat of the 2019 FA Cup final in China PR and it was the former who once again triumphed as a Yu Hanchao strike gave them their fourth cup title and ended Shandong’s run of three triumphs in a row in the competition. 
 
Suwon Samsung Bluewings took the relegation battle in Korea Republic to the final day of the season with a 1-0 win against FC Seoul in the Super Match while matches also took place in Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.

Preview - Group B: Sharjah FC (UAE) v Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Sun, 26 Nov, 2023

Preview - Group B: Sharjah FC (UAE) v Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Sharjah: Sharjah FC will strive for full points when they host Al Sadd SC in Group B of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Monday.

Should the United Arab Emirates side win and Uzbekistan's FC Nasaf fail to collect full points in their tie against Jordan's Al Faisaly, Sharjah will confirm top spot with a match to spare.

Preview - Group C: Sepahan FC (IRN) v Air Force Club (IRQ)

Sun, 26 Nov, 2023

Preview - Group C: Sepahan FC (IRN) v Air Force Club (IRQ)

Tehran: It will be a face-off between two confident sides when Sepahan FC welcome Air Force Club to the Azadi Stadium for their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group C tie on Monday.

Islamic Republic of Iran's Sepahan will expect another win, having defeated AGMK FC of Uzbekistan 9-0 at the same venue three weeks ago, while Iraq's Air Force Club will still be buzzing after their 2-0 defeat of Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad FC. 

Preview - Group E: Al Nassr (KSA) v Persepolis FC (IRN)

Sun, 26 Nov, 2023

Preview - Group E: Al Nassr (KSA) v Persepolis FC (IRN)

Riyadh: Al Nassr will look to confirm their Round of 16 spot when they welcome Persepolic FC to Riyadh for their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group E tie on Monday.

The Saudi Arabia side only need a point to confirm top spot as they sit five points ahead of Islamic Republic of Iran's Persepolis.

Preview - Group B: FC Nasaf (UZB) v Al Faisaly (JOR)

Sun, 26 Nov, 2023

Preview - Group B: FC Nasaf (UZB) v Al Faisaly (JOR)

Namangan: FC Nasaf's aim will be to maintain pressure in the race to top Group B of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 when they host Al Faisaly on Monday.

The Uzbekistan side will head into the Matchday Five encounter a point behind group leaders Sharjah FC of the United Arab Emirates.

Preview - Group C: AGMK (FC) (UZB) v Al Ittihad FC (KSA)

Sun, 26 Nov, 2023

Preview - Group C: AGMK (FC) (UZB) v Al Ittihad FC (KSA)

Olmaliq: AGMK FC and Al Ittihad FC will be on redemption missions when they face off in Group C of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Monday. 

Uzbekistan's AGMK were on the receiving end of a 9-0 defeat by Islamic Republic of Iran's Sepahan FC on Matchday Four while Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia were beaten 2-0 by Iraq's Air Force Club.

Preview - Group E: Al Duhail SC (QAT) v FC Istiklol (TJK)

Sun, 26 Nov, 2023

Preview - Group E: Al Duhail SC (QAT) v FC Istiklol (TJK)

Doha: Al Duhail SC and FC Istiklol will be playing for pride when they meet in Group E of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Monday.

Both sides have virtually no chance of advancing to the Round of 16 after poor campaigns with both sides yet to register a win.

Saudi Arabia geared for trophy challenge

Sun, 26 Nov, 2023

Saudi Arabia geared for trophy challenge

Kuala Lumpur: In 10 previous AFC Asian Cup™ appearances, Saudi Arabia have emerged champions thrice and runners-up the same number of times.

However, the last of their titles was won in 1996 while the defeat in the 2007 final to Iraq was followed by group stage exits in the following two editions and a Round of 16 elimination in UAE 2019.