Central and South Asia Wrap: Esteghlal back to winning ways; Odisha and Mumbai City rejoice

Mon, 04 Mar, 2024

Central and South Asia Wrap: Esteghlal back to winning ways; Odisha and Mumbai City rejoice

Tehran: Esteghlal FC remained three points clear of defending champions Persepolis at the top of the table after a week of exciting matches in the Iran Pro League.

In India, Odisha FC and Mumbai City FC qualified for the play-offs, while the Uzbekistan Super League 2024 kicked off so join the-AFC.com as we recap of past week’s domestic action from Central and South Asia.

ASEAN Wrap: Sydney FC win derby; Buriram five points clear

Mon, 04 Mar, 2024

ASEAN Wrap: Sydney FC win derby; Buriram five points clear

Kuala Lumpur: Fabio Gomes bagged a brace as Sydney FC overcame Western Sydney Wanderers 4-1 in the Sydney derby on Friday while Central Coast Mariners edged Newcastle Jets 1-0 in the F3 derby to keep up the pressure on Wellington Phoenix who have a three-point advantage at the top in Australia.

In Thailand, Buriram United bounced back from a shock FA Cup exit to third-tier side Bangkok FC during the midweek with a come-from-behind 3-2 win against Bangkok United in a high-stakes contest on Sunday which gave Arthur Papas’ side a five-point lead after 20 rounds. 
 
Nam Dinh also extended their lead at the top of the table in Vietnam to five points after a late victory against Song Lam Nghe An and matches also took place in Indonesia and Cambodia, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from ASEAN.

East Asia Wrap: Ulsan edge Pohang in derby; Jubilo stun Kawasaki

Mon, 04 Mar, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Ulsan edge Pohang in derby; Jubilo stun Kawasaki

Hong Kong: Ataru Esaka’s fortuitous goal six minutes into the second half settled the East Coast derby as reigning champions Ulsan Hyundai kicked off their K League 1 campaign with a 1-0 win over last season’s runners-up Pohang Steelers in Korea Republic on Friday. 

Defending J1 League champions Vissel Kobe were beaten 1-0 by Kashiwa Reysol but the biggest upset of the week unfurled at Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium where newcomers Jubilo Iwata edged four-time champions Kawasaki Frontale 5-4 with four goals from Ryo Germain. 
 
Wu Lei scored twice to hand defending champions Shanghai Port a win against Wuhan Three Towns in Kevin Muscat’s first league fixture in charge in China PR while matches also took place in Hong Kong and Mongolia, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.

Pen: Taichung Futuro living a dream

Mon, 04 Mar, 2024

Pen: Taichung Futuro living a dream

Gaoxiong: Their domestic season may not have started but that won’t stop Taichung Futuro from reaching for the stars in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Inter-Zone semi-finals. 

The Chinese Taipei side face Kyrgyz Republic’s Abdysh-Ata Kant, with head coach Pen Wu-shung’s side travelling to Bishkek for Wednesday’s first leg.

Hsieh wants Chinese Taipei to keep improving; Uzbekistan’s Khanjariev laments poor second half

Mon, 04 Mar, 2024

Hsieh wants Chinese Taipei to keep improving; Uzbekistan’s Khanjariev laments poor second half

Tashkent: Hsieh Chih-chun wants Chinese Taipei to use their 2-0 win over Uzbekistan in Group A of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 as a stepping stone for bigger and better things in the tournament.

The 53-year-old head coach was pleased with his side’s opening victory but was well aware of the tougher challenges ahead with matches against Australia and Korea Republic to come.

Blayney praises resilient Australia; Park vows Korea Republic will bounce back

Sun, 03 Mar, 2024

Blayney praises resilient Australia; Park vows Korea Republic will bounce back

Tashkent: Head coach Leah Blayney applauded Australia for displaying a fighting mentality in their 2-1 win over Korea Republic in Group A of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ 2024 Uzbekistan on Sunday.

Australia found themselves trailing to Jeon Yug-yeong’s 25th minute goal but Blayney’s side came back fighting under challenging conditions in the second half to win through goals from Peta Trimis and Naomi Chinnama.

Group A: Uzbekistan 0-2 Chinese Taipei

Mon, 04 Mar, 2024

Group A: Uzbekistan 0-2 Chinese Taipei

Tashkent: Second half goals from He Jia-shiuan and Chen Yu-chin gave Chinese Taipei a 2-0 win over Uzbekistan in their AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ 2024 Group A opener at the JAR Stadium on Sunday.

Hsieh Chih-chun’s side deserved the win, having produced the better opportunities and sit top of the group ahead of Australia, who defeated Korea Republic 2-1 in the earlier match.

Group A: Korea Republic 1-2 Australia

Sun, 03 Mar, 2024

Group A: Korea Republic 1-2 Australia

Tashkent: Australia came from behind to defeat Korea Republic 2-1 in their AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ 2024 Group A opener on Sunday.

Naomi Chinnama scored in the 89th minute to seal the points after Peta Trimis had cancelled out Jeon Yug-yeong’s first half opener for Korea Republic.

The win is a boost to Australia’s semi-final hopes, with Leah Blayney’s side to face Uzbekistan next on Wednesday. 

Preview - QF: Al Ain FC (UAE) v Al Nassr (KSA)

Tue, 05 Mar, 2024

Preview - QF: Al Ain FC (UAE) v Al Nassr (KSA)

Al Ain: Al Ain FC will look to make home ground advantage count when they host Al Nassr in the first leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 quarter-final on Monday.

The inaugural AFC Champions League winners, Al Ain will be bidding to make the semi-finals for the first time since 2014 while Al Nassr will be aiming to do so since back-to-back appearances in the last four stage in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.