East Asia Wrap: Vissel down Marinos; East Coast Derby ends level

Sun, 01 Oct, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Vissel down Marinos; East Coast Derby ends level

Hong Kong: J1 League leaders Vissel Kobe were victorious in the crucial top-of-the-table clash in Japan on Friday as first-half goals from Yuya Osako and Yoshinori Muto helped them defeat reigning champions Yokohama F. Marinos 2-0 and extend their lead at the top to four points with five games to go. 

Pacesetters Ulsan Hyundai and their closest challengers Pohang Steelers shared the spoils as the East Coast Derby in Korea Republic ended goalless to mean Ulsan maintain their eight-point lead at the top. 
 
In China PR, Shanghai Port are one win away fron the title after a 1-0 victory against Nantong Zhiyun, while there were also matches in Hong Kong, Mongolia and Guam, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.

Korea Republic stay on course to defend title, Hong Kong, China join semis party

Sun, 01 Oct, 2023

Korea Republic stay on course to defend title, Hong Kong, China join semis party

Hangzhou: Korea Republic moved into the semi-finals of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou on Sunday as Hwang Sun-hong’s side handed hosts China PR a 2-0 defeat as Hong Kong, China claimed a shock 1-0 win over the Islamic Republic of Iran to qualify for the semi-finals for the first time.

Poon Pui Hin scored two minutes into the second half to earn Jorn Andersen’s side an unexpected victory and means they will face Japan, 2-1 winners over DPR Korea, in the last four on Wednesday.
 
The Koreans, meanwhile, will next play Uzbekistan as Timur Kapadze’s side handed Saudi Arabia a 2-1 defeat to advance to the last four for the first time since 1994.

China PR to meet Japan in semis, DPR Korea, Uzbekistan set up face off

Sat, 30 Sep, 2023

China PR to meet Japan in semis, DPR Korea, Uzbekistan set up face off

Hangzhou: Wang Shanshan’s third minute opener sent China PR on their way to a comfortable 4-0 win over Thailand at the Hangzhou Asian Games on Saturday to set up a semi-final meeting with defending champions Japan.

The Japanese stormed into the last four with an 8-1 defeat of a short-handed Philippines side while DPR Korea will meet Uzbekistan after respective victories over Korea Republic and Chinese Taipei took the pair through.

Preview - Group B: Sharjah FC (UAE) v Al Faisaly (JOR)

Tue, 03 Oct, 2023

Preview - Group B: Sharjah FC (UAE) v Al Faisaly (JOR)

Sharjah: Sharjah FC and Al Faisaly will be equally determined to claim victory when they meet in Group B of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Monday. 

Both sides did not collect full points on Matchday One and failure to do so again could have grave consequences in the race to advance to the knockout stage. 

Preview - Group B: FC Nasaf (UZB) v Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Tue, 03 Oct, 2023

Preview - Group B: FC Nasaf (UZB) v Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Namangan: FC Nasaf will target another win when they host Al Sadd SC in Group B of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Monday.

The Uzbekistan club already have three points from Matchday One and another win will firmly establish them at the top of the standings.

Preview - Group C: Sepahan FC (IRN) v Al Ittihad (KSA)

Sun, 01 Oct, 2023

Preview - Group C: Sepahan FC (IRN) v Al Ittihad (KSA)

Isfahan: Sepahan FC won't need any extra motivation to perform when they meet Al Ittihad in Group C of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Monday.

Having been denied victory at the very end on Matchday One, the Islamic Republic of Iran side will be determined to not slip up against a star-studded Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia.

Preview - Group C: AGMK FC (UZB) v Air Force Club (IRQ)

Mon, 02 Oct, 2023

Preview - Group C: AGMK FC (UZB) v Air Force Club (IRQ)

Olmaliq: AGMK FC will aim to bounce back in resounding fashion when they host Air Force Club in Group C of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Monday. 

The Uzbekistan side suffered defeat on Matchday One and failure to collect three points at home against Iraq's Air Force Club could see them falling out of the race for the knockout stage prematurely.

Preview - Group E: Al Nassr (KSA) v FC Istiklol (TKJ)

Tue, 03 Oct, 2023

Preview - Group E: Al Nassr (KSA) v FC Istiklol (TKJ)

Riyadh: Al Nassr will expect nothing less than three points when they host FC Istiklol in Group E of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Monday.

The Riyadh-based club have been firing on all cylinders since recovering from a slow start domestically and Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates will aim to continue their good run at Al Awwal Park.

Preview - Group E: Al Duhail SC (QAT) v Persepolis FC (IRN)

Tue, 03 Oct, 2023

Preview - Group E: Al Duhail SC (QAT) v Persepolis FC (IRN)

Doha: Al Duhail SC and Persepolis FC will be seeking full points when they face off in Group E of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Monday.

Al Duhail had to settle for a share of the spoils with Tajikistan's FC Istiklol on Matchday One while Persepolis were beaten by Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad.