West Asia Wrap: Al Futuwa continue reign; Al Hilal survive stiff test

Mon, 01 Apr, 2024

West Asia Wrap: Al Futuwa continue reign; Al Hilal survive stiff test

Damascus: Al Futuwa SC successfully defended their Syrian Premier League title, with a 3-1 defeat of Al Hurriya giving them an unassailable lead of 45 points with four matches remaining.

In Saudi Arabia, Al Hilal SFC kept their unbeaten run going but not before surviving a major scare from Al Shabab while Cristiano Ronaldo starred with a hat-trick as Al Nassr kept their faint hopes alive by defeating Al Tai 5-1. 

Join the-AFC.com as we recap the latest domestic action from across West Asia.

ASEAN Wrap: Irankunda nets historic treble; Supachai double in Buriram win

Mon, 01 Apr, 2024

ASEAN Wrap: Irankunda nets historic treble; Supachai double in Buriram win

Kuala Lumpur: Nestory Irankunda became the youngest player to score a hat-trick in A-League history as the 18-year-old helped Adelaide United overcome Western United 4-1 on Friday while Wellington Phoenix extended their lead at the top to six points with a 1-0 defeat of Brisbane Roar.

In Thailand, Supachai Jaided emerged as reigning champions Buriram United’s hero as they defeated Chiangrai United 2-1 but Bangkok United are within touching distance of the leaders after an impressive 6-0 win over Chonburi has them four points behind with a match in hand.
 
Bali United posted a 1-0 win against visitors Persija Jakarta to boost their chances of reaching the Championship series in Indonesia while matches also took place in Vietnam and Cambodia, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from ASEAN.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Chennaiyin stun Mohun Bagan Super Giant; Bashundhara Kings in cruise control

Mon, 01 Apr, 2024

Central & South Asia Wrap: Chennaiyin stun Mohun Bagan Super Giant; Bashundhara Kings in cruise control

Kolkata: Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s title aspirations took a hit as they fell to a 3-2 defeat against Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League with leaders Mumbai FC keeping top spot after their 4-1 win against NorthEast United.

In Bangladesh, Bashundhara Kings extended their lead at the top, while Neftchi Fergana held on to pole position despite defeat in the Uzbekistan Super League.

Arkadag, meanwhile, recorded their third consecutive victory in Turkmenistan’s Yokary Liga, so join the-AFC.com as we recap all the domestic league action from Central and South Asia.

East Asia Wrap: Jeonbuk fight back against Ulsan; Vissel hit six past Consadole

Mon, 01 Apr, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Jeonbuk fight back against Ulsan; Vissel hit six past Consadole

Hong Kong: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors came from two goals down against Ulsan Hyundai to earn a vital point against the defending champions while newcomers Gimcheon Sangmu stayed top of the league as domestic action resumed in Korea Republic after the international break.

It is a promoted side that lead the standings in Japan as well after Machida Zelvia overcame Sagan Tosu to stay two points clear while Vissel Kobe got the biggest win of the week as two goals each from Taisei Miyashiro and Yoshinori Muto helped the defending champions defeat Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 6-1. 
 
Shanghai Shenhua made it three wins out of three matches in China PR by defeating last year's runners-up Shandong Taishan 3-0 and matches also took place in Hong Kong, Mongolia and Macau, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.

#AFCU23: 2013 revisited

Sat, 30 Mar, 2024

#AFCU23: 2013 revisited

Kuala Lumpur: The sixth edition of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ is set to kick off in Qatar on April 15 as 16 teams from across the continent converge on Doha and Al Wakrah with some of the hottest prospects in Asian football set to be on show.

Stars such as Takumi Minamino, Alireza Beiranvand, Hwang Hee-chan, Chanathip Songkrasin and Almoez Ali are among the big names to have featured in a competition that has delivered numerous magical moments over the years. 
 
To whet the appetite ahead of one of the Asian Football Confederation’s showpiece tournaments, we look back at the previous editions of the AFC U23 Asian Cup starting with 2013.

#AFCU23: Historical Facts & Figures

Sun, 31 Mar, 2024

#AFCU23: Historical Facts & Figures

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ kicks off on April 15 with 16 teams vying to lift the coveted trophy.

As the teams enter their final phase of preparations and excitement begins to build, the-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts and figures from the previous editions of the tournament.

#AsianQualifiers – MD3 & MD4 in Numbers

Thu, 28 Mar, 2024

#AsianQualifiers – MD3 & MD4 in Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: An action-packed double-header in the AFC Asian Qualifiers saw 36 nations take to the field as some of the continent’s biggest stars turned on the style for their countries.

Four games into the Preliminary Joint Qualifiers – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and with just two remaining, it was a decisive pair of matchdays in some groups while there remains plenty to play for in others. 

The-AFC.com looks back on some of the stats and facts that caught the eye. 

#AsianQualifiers - The Star Performers

Thu, 28 Mar, 2024

#AsianQualifiers - The Star Performers

Kuala Lumpur: There were plenty of excellent individual performances as the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ returned to action across the continent on March 21 and 26. 

Some of Asia's biggest names turned on the style on Matchdays Three and Four of the qualifying campaign, while several hat-tricks and some notable displays at the back were among the highlights of the double-headers.
 
As the AFC Asian Qualifiers now take a two-month break before returning in early June, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the players who caught the eye in the recent internationals.