East Asia Wrap: Marinos down Vissel; Ulsan drop points

Mon, 24 Apr, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Marinos down Vissel; Ulsan drop points

Hong Kong: After a shaky start to their title defence, reigning champions Yokohama F. Marinos have cut the distance to Vissel Kobe at the top of the table to two points after Kevin Muscat’s side posted a thrilling 3-2 come-from-behind victory over the league leaders in Japan on Saturday.

Having begun their campaign with six wins on the bounce, defending champions Ulsan Hyundai dropped points for the second straight outing in Korea Republic when they were held by Pohang Steelers in the East Coast Derby while FC Seoul piled further pressure on Hong Myung-bo’s side by moving three points behind them in second place. 

Shanghai Port and Shanghai Shenhua both posted back-to-back wins in their fledgling league campaigns in China PR while there were also matches taking place in Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and Macau, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from across East Asia.

Maclaren becomes A-League's leading scorer

Sun, 23 Apr, 2023

Maclaren becomes A-League's leading scorer

Melbourne: Melbourne City striker Jamie Maclaren said he felt his decision to return to the A-League had been vindicated after becoming the division’s all-time leading goal scorer with a hat-trick in his side’s 3-1 win over Western United.

Maclaren took his career tally to 143 goals in 201 games on Saturday at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium to surpass Besart Berisha as the A-League most prolific scorer and the 29-year-old former Hibernian forward was delighted to achieve the feat.

Miura makes Oliveirense debut aged 56

Sun, 23 Apr, 2023

Miura makes Oliveirense debut aged 56

Oliveira de Azemeis: Evergreen Japan striker Kazuyoshi Miura created more history on Saturday by making his debut for Portuguese club Oliveirense at the age of 56.

Nicknamed 'King Kazu', Miura joined the second-tier club on loan from Yokohama FC earlier this year and came on in the 90th minute of a 4-1 win against Academico de Viseu.

Al Hilal SFC vs Urawa Red Diamonds: A modern-day rivalry

Fri, 21 Apr, 2023

Al Hilal SFC vs Urawa Red Diamonds: A modern-day rivalry

Kuala Lumpur: The final of the AFC Champions League 2022™ sees Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SFC take on Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds as the sides meet in the showpiece event for the third time in six editions of the tournament. 

In a competition that is split into East and West until the final, it’s unprecedented to see teams from different sides of the continent face off so regularly. But with holders Al Hilal and Urawa continuing to shine in Asia’s most prestigious club competition, the pair have established a rivalry for the ages. 

Players who featured in multiple ACL finals

Fri, 21 Apr, 2023

Players who featured in multiple ACL finals

Riyadh: A quartet of Al Hilal SFC players are set to play their fifth AFC Champions League™
final in a few days’ time, marking a record for the competition, thanks to the club’s incredible run of form in recent years.

Over the years, many players have led their teams to battle for glory at the showpiece match of Asia’s top club competition. the-AFC.com looks at several players who have made multiple appearances in the final, be it for the same club or multiple clubs.

Asia's finest learn Argentina 2023 opponents

Sat, 22 Apr, 2023

Asia's finest learn Argentina 2023 opponents

Zurich: The continent's four representatives learnt their FIFA U20 World Cup Argentina 2023 opponents following the official draw in Zurich on Friday.

Asia will be represented by Uzbekistan, Iraq, Japan and Korea Republic in the May 20-June 11 tournament.