West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal firmly in charge; Al Sadd tighten grip

Mon, 25 Dec, 2023

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal firmly in charge; Al Sadd tighten grip

Doha: Al Hilal SFC look set to claim the Saudi Pro League title after another scintillating performance maintained their 10-point lead.

Al Sadd were equally impressive in Qatar while there was also matches in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Syria and the United Arab Emirates so join the-AFC.com in our review of the past week's domestic action across West Asia. 

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Phoenix rise to the top; Top two stumble in Thailand

Mon, 25 Dec, 2023

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Phoenix rise to the top; Top two stumble in Thailand

Kuala Lumpur: Wellington Phoenix enjoy a three-point lead at the top of the standings in Australia after a 2-0 victory against Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday while Melbourne Victory, in second place, played out a goalless draw with Melbourne City in the Melbourne derby. 

Frontrunners Bangkok United were saved by a 93rd-minute goal from Willen as they played out a 1-1 draw with Police Tero in Thailand on Sunday, but chasing BG Pathum United failed to capitalise as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Nakhon Pathom United. 
 
Shan United finished their season unbeaten for the second time running in Myanmar while matches also took place in Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Cambodia and Chinese Taipei, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from ASEAN and East Asia.

Central & South Asian Wrap: Arkadag lift Turkmenistan Cup

Mon, 25 Dec, 2023

Central & South Asian Wrap: Arkadag lift Turkmenistan Cup

Arkadag: The Turkmenistan Cup has new champions after FC Arkadag beat Ahal FC to lift the trophy at their first attempt to secure their second major honour of the 2023 season.

In the Iran Pro League, the race remained as tight as ever with Esteghlal FC, Sepahan FC and Persepolis FC only separated by four points at the top of the standings after a busy week.

Matches also took place in Tajikistan, India and Maldives, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the league action from Central and South Asia.

Test Your Knowledge - Round 11

Fri, 22 Dec, 2023

Test Your Knowledge - Round 11

Kuala Lumpur: Round 11 of the AFC Asian Cup™ quiz has another set of interesting questions about the continent's premier national team tournament.

Try it out to see how well versed you - the fans - are ahead of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ which kicks off on January 12.

Player to Watch: Chanathip Songkrasin (Thailand)

Sat, 23 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Chanathip Songkrasin (Thailand)

Kuala Lumpur: After a fine AFC Asian Cup™ 2019 campaign where he guided his nation to the knockout stages of the competition for the first time in 47 years, Chanathip Songkrasin will be keen to create more history with Thailand as the continental showpiece returns.

Thailand made a shaky start to the tournament four years ago with a 4-1 defeat to India leading to the departure of head coach Milovan Rajevac, but Chanathip scored in a 1-0 win against Bahrain in their second outing before a 1-1 draw with hosts United Arab Emirates sent them through. 
 
Finding themselves in a group featuring Saudi Arabia, Kyrgyz Republic and Oman this time around, the Southeast Asian nation, managed by Masatada Ishii, will need the 30-year-old attacking midfielder to deliver the goods again if they want to make a mark at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™. 

Player to Watch: Alisher Dzhalilov (Tajikistan)

Fri, 22 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Alisher Dzhalilov (Tajikistan)

Kuala Lumpur: Playmaker Alisher Dzhalilov has emerged as the creative fulcrum for Tajikistan in the four-and-a-half years since making his debut for the Central Asian nation, the diminutive midfielder using his guile and skill to open opposing defences.

Although born near Dushanbe, Dzhalilov initially progressed through the Russian system and represented the European nation as a youth, from under 17 level through to the country’s under 21 team.

Player to Watch: Omar Khrbin (Syria)

Fri, 22 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Omar Khrbin (Syria)

Kuala Lumpur: Syria’s hopes of reaching the AFC Asian Cup™ knockout stage for the first time in their history rest on the shoulders of a number of key players, prime among them is the only Syrian to have won the AFC Player of the Year award.

Despite six previous participations in the competition, most recently in the UAE 2019, The Eagles of Qasioun have not been able to advance past the group stage, but if that’s to change in a tough group that includes Australia, Uzbekistan and India, then star striker Omar Khrbin will be vital.