Central & West Asia Wrap: Al Shorta defend Iraq title; Pakhtakor close in

Mon, 08 Jul, 2024

Central & West Asia Wrap: Al Shorta defend Iraq title; Pakhtakor close in

Kuala Lumpur: Al Shorta retained the Iraqi Stars League title in style, completing a hat-trick of triumphs with a match to spare.

In Uzbekistan, FC Pakhtakor moved within four points of leaders FC Nasaf while Abdysh-Ata Kant maintained their relentless pace in Kyrgyz Republic.

Join the-AFC.com as we review the latest round of domestic action across Central and West Asia.

East Asia Wrap: Gamba down Marinos; Gangwon inch closer to top

Mon, 08 Jul, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Gamba down Marinos; Gangwon inch closer to top

Hong Kong: Gamba Osaka posted a 4-0 win against Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday and moved level with Kashima Antlers as the duo continue to put pressure on leaders Machida Zelvia while reigning champions Vissel Kobe sit six points from the top as the title race heats up in Japan. 

Only three points separate the top four in Korea Republic as leaders Gimcheon Sangmu, defending champions Ulsan Hyundai and Pohang Steelers all dropped points during the week, allowing fourth-placed Gangwon to move closer to the summit by defeating Gwangju 2-0 on Sunday.

Shanghai Shenhua registered a resounding 6-0 win against Shandong Taishan to remain within touching distance of leaders Shanghai Port in China PR while there were also matches taking place in Mongolia and Macau, so join the-AFC.com as we look back at last week’s action from across East Asia.

Hong Myung-bo named Korea Republic head coach

Mon, 08 Jul, 2024

Hong Myung-bo named Korea Republic head coach

Seoul: Former coach and captain Hong Myung-bo will return to guide Korea Republic's national men's football team, the governing body said on Sunday, five months after the dismissal of Jurgen Klinsmann.

"We have signed Hong as our next national team head coach," a spokesman for the Korea Football Association (KFA) said.

Asia at the Olympics - Women

Sun, 07 Jul, 2024

Asia at the Olympics - Women

Kuala Lumpur: Australia and Japan will be Asia's representatives at the Women's Olympic Football Tournament with both teams expecting to be challenging for medals.

Ahead of the 12-team tournament kicking off later this month, the-AFC.com takes a look at how Asian teams have previously fared at the Summer Games.

Asia at the Olympics - Men

Fri, 05 Jul, 2024

Asia at the Olympics - Men

Kuala Lumpur: Iraq, Japan and Uzbekistan will be Asia's challengers in the Paris Olympics 2024 Men's Football Tournament which kicks off on July 24.

Ahead of what promises to be an enthralling competition, the-AFC.com takes a look back at how the continent's teams have fared at previous editions of the Summer Games.

Saudi Arabia clinch maiden title

Sat, 06 Jul, 2024

Saudi Arabia clinch maiden title

Taif: Saudi Arabia secured the WAFF U19 Championship 2024 title after a hard-fought 1-0 victory against the United Arab Emirates in the final on Friday.

The decisive moment came in the 43rd minute with Talal Haji scoring the winning goal with a precise header, which proved to be enough for Saudi Arabia.

Saintfiet: Philippines must strive to be at Saudi Arabia 2027

Wed, 26 Jun, 2024

Saintfiet: Philippines must strive to be at Saudi Arabia 2027

Kuala Lumpur: Belgian Tom Saintfiet was appointed the Philippines’ coach in late February with the task of resetting the nation’s ambitions after missing out on the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™. He tells the-AFC.com of his hopes to return the country to the continent’s greatest stage.

The tears in Neil Etheridge’s eyes told the story, six years ago, of what it meant to the Philippines to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup™ Finals; victory over Tajikistan took the nation to the tournament for the first time and the emotion streaked the goalkeeper’s face.
 
For a country that has historically occupied a position of significance within the continental game – it featured in the first international played on Asian soil in 1913 and was the first home of the Asian Football Confederation - the Philippines’ on-field record is underwhelming.