Central, South & West Asia Wrap: Big win for Neftchi, Al Faisaly begin with victory

Mon, 07 Aug, 2023

Central, South & West Asia Wrap: Big win for Neftchi, Al Faisaly begin with victory

Tashkent: Neftchi edged out Pakhtakor in one of the biggest matches of the season in the Uzbekistan Super League to cut Navbahor's lead.

Abdish-Ata are one step closer to winning the Kyrgyz Premier League league while the new Jordanian Pro League season kicked off in style with opening wins for both Al Faisaly and Al Wehdat.

There were also action from Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Bhutan, Maldives, India as well as the latest from the King Salman Club Cup, so join the-AFC.com as we go through all the action from the past week.

ASEAN Wrap: Bangkok win Champions Cup; Cong retake lead in Vietnam

Mon, 07 Aug, 2023

ASEAN Wrap: Bangkok win Champions Cup; Cong retake lead in Vietnam

Kuala Lumpur: Bangkok United kicked off the new season in Thailand in style as they defeated last season’s treble winners Buriram United 2-0 to win their maiden Thailand Champions Cup at Rajamangala Stadium on Saturday in their first-ever appearance in the competition. 

The title race in Vietnam is heading for an exciting conclusion as Cong An Hanoi overcame Hanoi FC 2-1 in a top-of-the-table clash on Sunday to take a two-point lead while Viettel, in third position, are also two points behind the leaders with two matches remaining of the season. 
 
In Singapore, Albirex Niigata (S) are one win away from retaining their league title after Seia Kunori’s four goals helped them beat Geylang International 6-1 while matches also took place in Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Cambodia and Brunei Darussalam, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from ASEAN.

East Asia Wrap: Top two level in Japan; Port extend lead

Mon, 07 Aug, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Top two level in Japan; Port extend lead

Hong Kong: League leaders Vissel Kobe dropped points for the second game running in Japan as they were beaten 2-0 by third-from-bottom Yokohama FC on Sunday allowing defending champions Yokohama F. Marinos to tie them on points following a goalless draw against Urawa Red Diamonds. 

With 10 games left of the league campaign, Shanghai Port are in the driver’s seat in China PR as they have a 14-point advantage at the top of the table after a 2-1 win over Tianjin Jinmen Tiger on Thursday while Shandong Taishan emerged as their closest challengers pipping Shanghai Shenhua to second place. 
 
In Korea Republic, reigning champions Ulsan Hyundai shared the spoils in a goalless draw against Daegu FC on Saturday, but second-placed Pohang Steelers failed to capitalise as they dropped points against FC Seoul in a 2-2 draw on Friday, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from East Asia.

Sweden's Musovic praises teammates, devastated Rapinoe heads home

Mon, 07 Aug, 2023

Sweden's Musovic praises teammates, devastated Rapinoe heads home

Melbourne: Goalkeeper Zecira Musovic hailed her teammates after Sweden edged the United States on penalties to advance to the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 quarter-finals on Sunday. 

The defending champions found Musovic a stumbling block in the shoot-out following a goalless stalemate over 120 minutes, with Sweden to face Japan in Auckland on Friday. 

Jonker admits relief after Netherlands survive South Africa scare

Mon, 07 Aug, 2023

Jonker admits relief after Netherlands survive South Africa scare

Sydney: Netherlands head coach Andries Jonker did not hide his relief after side avoided becoming the latest to be on the end of a FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 shock on Sunday.

The 2019 runners-up defeated South Africa 2-0 in their Round of 16 tie but had goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar to thank for keeping the African champions at bay in the first half.
 
Jill Roord scored after nine minutes to put the Dutch on their way against a team ranked 45 places below them and featuring in the knockout rounds for the first time.
 
South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart then made a mess of an innocuous Lineth Beerensteyn shot midway through the second half to give the Dutch a second.

Focus, unity driving Japan

Mon, 07 Aug, 2023

Focus, unity driving Japan

Wellington: Japan's polished performances have changed their status from darkhorses to potential FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 winners, a shift which head coach Futushi Ikeda has attributed to his players' determination to excel. 

A perfect group stage campaign was followed by an impressive 3-1 win over Norway in the Round of 16 to set up a quarter-final against Sweden in Auckland on Friday. 

Sweden stun USA to seal q-final berth

Sun, 06 Aug, 2023

Sweden stun USA to seal q-final berth

Melbourne: Sweden stunned the United States 5-4 in a sudden-death penalty shootout on Sunday to surge into the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 quarter-final against Japan and consign the defending champions to their earliest-ever exit.

The title-holders dominated the opening 90 minutes but a breakthrough proved elusive with Swedish goalkeeper Zecira Musovic making some startling saves to keep her side alive. With the deadlock remaining after extra-time it went to penalties in Melbourne – and the tension went up another notch.
 
Sweden's Nathalie Bjorn was the first to miss, skying high, only for Megan Rapinoe to do the same. Rebecka Blomqvist's effort was saved, again putting the USA in the driving seat, only for Sophia Smith to blast wide.
 
When Kelley O'Hara hit the post, it was all down to Sweden's Lina Hurtig, who made sure – but only after VAR ruled her kick had crossed the line.