Europe Wrap: Son seals Tottenham win; Jahanbakhsh nets in Feyenoord victory

Tue, 21 Feb, 2023

Europe Wrap: Son seals Tottenham win; Jahanbakhsh nets in Feyenoord victory

Kuala Lumpur: Son Heung-min sealed a 2-0 win for Tottenham Hotspur against West Ham in a London Derby on Sunday that helped them move into the top four in England’s Premier League while Alireza Jahanbakhsh netted for leaders Feyenoord in a crucial win over AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Eredivisie. 

Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in celebrated his 22nd birthday by bagging an assist in Real Mallorca’s win in Spain and Japanese star Reo Hatate’s purple patch continued in Scotland as he scored another brace for Ange Postecoglou’s pacesetting Celtic.
 
Elsewhere, Ko Itakura’s Borussia Monchengladbach handed a shock defeat to leaders Bayern Munich in Germany and Kim Min-jae’s Napoli preserved their 15-point lead at the top of Italy’s Serie A, so join the-AFC.com as we review how the Asian stars performed across Europe over the past week. 

Al Hilal stay on course to defend title

Tue, 21 Feb, 2023

Al Hilal stay on course to defend title

Al Wakrah: Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SFC continued their AFC Champions League™ title defence, advancing into the quarter-finals after overcoming Shabab Al Ahli Dubai 3-1 in the last Round-of-16 encounter at Al Janoub Stadium on Monday.

Al Hilal join compatriots Al Shabab, Qatar’s Al Duhail and Islamic Republic of Iran’s Foolad in the next round, with a place opposite Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in the two-legged final up for grabs.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Sepahan break clear at the top; Perfect 10 for Bashundhara Kings

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

Central & South Asia Wrap: Sepahan break clear at the top; Perfect 10 for Bashundhara Kings

Tehran: Sepahan edged Zobahan 2-1 to move three points ahead of Persepolis at the top of the Islamic Republic of Iran Pro League.

Bashundhara Kings registered their 10th consecutive victory in the Bangladesh Premier League so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the latest domestic action across Central and South Asia.

West Asia Wrap: Bahrain's Khalidiya on the rise; Saudi Pro League sizzling

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

West Asia Wrap: Bahrain's Khalidiya on the rise; Saudi Pro League sizzling

Manama: Manama Club’s hold on the Bahraini Premier League is beginning to show signs of cracks as Khalidiya recorded an important win over the leaders, while the Saudi Pro League drama continues with three teams tied at the top of the standings. 

Plenty more action went down in West Asia as several leagues approached the halfway mark, so join the-AFC.com as we highlight the past week’s action in the region.

East Asia Wrap: Marinos defeat Kawasaki as J1 League kicks off; Kitchee retain lead in Hong Kong

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Marinos defeat Kawasaki as J1 League kicks off; Kitchee retain lead in Hong Kong

Hong Kong: After scoring in the Japanese Super Cup triumph over Ventforet Kofu in the season opener in Japan, Yokohama F. Marinos duo Takuma Nishimura and Elber were on target again on Friday as the defending champions edged Kawasaki Frontale 2-1 to begin their J1 League campaign in style.

Leaders Kitchee SC made it nine wins in a row in the Hong Kong Premier League with a 2-1 victory over BC Rangers which also enabled them to maintain their three-point advantage at the summit, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from East Asia.

ASEAN Wrap: Albirex lift Community Shield in Singapore; Leaders Melbourne City beaten in Australia

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

ASEAN Wrap: Albirex lift Community Shield in Singapore; Leaders Melbourne City beaten in Australia

Kuala Lumpur: League champions Albirex Niigata (S) downed cup winners Hougang United 3-0 on Sunday to win the Community Shield, the first silverware of the year in Singapore, as the annual fixture got the ball rolling for a new football season in the Lion City. 

In Australia, leaders Melbourne City fell to a surprise 3-2 defeat to local rivals Melbourne Victory on Saturday, but Rado Vidosic’s defending premiers still maintain a healthy seven-point lead over second-placed Central Coast Mariners in the A-League. 
 
Leaders Buriram United preserved their nine-point lead in Thailand while Indonesia witnessed PSM Makassar emerge as the new frontrunners and matches also took place in Vietnam, the Philippines and Cambodia, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from across Southeast Asia. 

Japan, Korea Republic denied in friendlies

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

Japan, Korea Republic denied in friendlies

Nashville: Japan fell to a 1-0 defeat to reigning world champions United States on Matchday Two of the SheBelieves Cup on Sunday. 

Korea Republic, meanwhile, were unable to hold off Belgium as the Europeans bounced back for a 2-1 win in the Arnold Clark Cup. 

Australia impress in thriller against Spain

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

Australia impress in thriller against Spain

Sydney: A Sam Kerr-led Australia beat powerhouse Spain 3-2 on Sunday in a big confidence boost ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 on home soil, stretching their unbeaten streak to six games.

The two sides are both seen as contenders at the showpiece tournament in Australia and New Zealand in July-August, with the ongoing four-team Cup of Nations in Sydney and its surrounds being used as a dress rehearsal.
 
Cortnee Vine, Clare Polkinghorne and Arsenal star Caitlin Foord all scored in a blistering first half before Olga Carmona and Alba Redondo pulled goals back for Spain in the second stanza.
 
The Czech Republic earlier beat Jamaica 3-2 at the same Sydney stadium, thanks to a last-gasp winner from substitute Alena Peckova.