Europe Wrap: Doan stars for Freiburg; Machino's goal helps Holstein Kiel create history

Tue, 24 Sep, 2024

Europe Wrap: Doan stars for Freiburg; Machino's goal helps Holstein Kiel create history

Kuala Lumpur: Japan's Ritsu Doan was among the scorers as Freiburg defeated FC Heidenheim to stay within touching distance of Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.

Doan's compatriot Shuto Machino scored late goal to force a 2-2 draw as Holstein Kiel earned their first ever point in the top tier of German football.

Son Heung-min, meanwhile, made two assists as Tottenham Hotspur erased last week's North London derby misery. The-AFC.com takes a look at how Asia's European brigade performed over the past week.

#AFCU20 Qualifiers - MD2: Results & Reports

Tue, 24 Sep, 2024

#AFCU20 Qualifiers - MD2: Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: The journey to reach the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 continued on Monday with five of the 10 groups seeing Matchday Two action.

To run until September 29, the 10 groups - five of four teams each and five of five – of the Qualifiers will be contested in a centralised league format.

All group winners, along with the five best-placed runners-up, will progress to the final tournament and be joined by 1985 champions China PR, who also hosted the 2010 edition.

Stay updated on all the action with the-AFC.com.

DPR Korea defeat Japan to win third title

Mon, 23 Sep, 2024

DPR Korea defeat Japan to win third title

Bogota: Choe Il Son was the match winner as DPR Korea defeated Japan 1-0 to emerge champions of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Colombia 2024 on Sunday.

It was the East Asian side's third title, having also lifted the trophy in 2006 and 2016 while Japan, winners in 2018, settled for the runners-up spot for the second successive edition.

Al Ain FC beat Auckland City to advance

Mon, 23 Sep, 2024

Al Ain FC beat Auckland City to advance

Al Ain: United Arab Emirates’ Al Ain secured a 6-2 win over Auckland City of New Zealand in their FIFA Intercontinental Cup African-Asian-Pacific Cup playoff at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Sunday.

The win sees Al Ain book a clash against Egypt’s Al Ahli in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup in Cairo on October 29 with the victors to advance to the final stage of three matches which will be hosted by Qatar in December. 

Asian trio set for knockout stage

Mon, 23 Sep, 2024

Asian trio set for knockout stage

Tashkent: Afghanistan joined Islamic Republic of Iran and Thailand in the knockout stage of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 following the conclusion of the group stage on Sunday.

Tournament newcomers Afghanistan advanced as one of the best four third-placed teams, with Iran topping Group F while Thailand booked their spot as the Group B runners-up.

ASEAN Wrap: HAGL continue to impress; Buriram on a roll

Mon, 23 Sep, 2024

ASEAN Wrap: HAGL continue to impress; Buriram on a roll

Pleiku: Things are starting to take shape in the V. League 1 with Hoang Anh Gia Lai winning for the second straight week.

Over in Thailand, Buriram United are showing incredible form with yet another big win as they start to pull away from nearest rivals, Port FC.

Matches were also played in Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Myanmar and Indonesia, so join the-AFC.com as we take a journey across the domestic action in Southeast Asia this past week.

East Asia Wrap: Shanghai Port remain in control; Gimcheon revive title aspirations

Mon, 23 Sep, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Shanghai Port remain in control; Gimcheon revive title aspirations

Shanghai: Wu Lei came to Shanghai Port’s rescue twice as they edged Changchun Yatai 4-3 in the Chinese Super League.

In Korea Republic, Ulsan were held to a goalless draw, leaving the door open for Gimcheon Sangmu to capitalise.

There was also action in Japan and Hong Kong, so join the-AFC.com as we recap the past week's domestic action across East Asia.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Sepahan’s winning run halted

Mon, 23 Sep, 2024

Central & South Asia Wrap: Sepahan’s winning run halted

Fuladshahr: Zobahan halted Sepahan’s winning streak, holding them to a 1-1 draw in the Iran Pro League 2024/25 while in Uzbekistan, FC AGMK cemented their position in second place.

In Kyrgyz Republic, Abdysh-Ata Kant continue to dominate while Jamshedpur FC won both their matches over the week in the Indian Super League.

The-AFC.com takes a look at the action played across domestic leagues in Central and South Asia.

West Asia Wrap: Pacesetters stay perfect in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE

Mon, 23 Sep, 2024

West Asia Wrap: Pacesetters stay perfect in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE

Doha: Al Hilal SFC swept aside the challenge of Al Ittihad on Saturday to make it four wins in a row in the Saudi Pro League 2024/25.

Al Duhail SC showed their Qatar Stars League title ambitions with an emphatic 5-1 defeat of defending champions Al Sadd SC while in the UAE, Sharjah and Shabab Al Ahli Dubai registered their third consecutive wins.

Defending champions Al Seeb and Al Nahda also stayed perfect in Oman while Kuwait SC and Al Arabi both registered fifth consecutive wins in Kuwait so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how the domestic scene unfolded across West Asia in the week gone by.

Popovic named new Socceroos head coach

Mon, 23 Sep, 2024

Popovic named new Socceroos head coach

Sydney: Tony Popovic has been named Australia head coach, replacing Graham Arnold at the helm after the former Sydney FC boss quit the Socceroos role on Friday as a result of disappointing results in the most recent matches in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26.

Popovic, who guided Western Sydney Wanderers to the AFC Champions League title in 2014, has signed a contract that runs until the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States, Mexico and Canada and will commence the role immediately.

The 51-year-old will lead the team into October’s qualifiers against China PR and Japan looking to improve on their recent performances, when the team lost to Bahrain on the Gold Coast before drawing in Jakarta with Indonesia under Arnold.