West Asia Wrap: Al Ittihad surge; Al Rayyan stay in control

Mon, 25 Sep, 2023

West Asia Wrap: Al Ittihad surge; Al Rayyan stay in control

Jeddah: Al Ittihad reclaimed top spot in the Saudi Pro League 2023/2024 as the season continues to produce twists and turns. 

The defending champions hold a one-point lead following the conclusion of Matchday Seven while action in Qatar and UAE resumed, so join the-AFC.com as we review the past week’s domestic action across West Asia. 

#ACL Goals of the Group Stage - Matchday One

Mon, 25 Sep, 2023

#ACL Goals of the Group Stage - Matchday One

Kuala Lumpur: An exhilarating AFC Champions League™ 2023/2024 Matchday One saw a whopping 53 goals scored across 20 games.

As we await the action to resume, the-AFC.com has selected 10 of the best goals from Matchday One and invites you, the fans, to cast your votes for your favourite ones.

ASEAN Wrap: Sydney to meet Brisbane in final; JDT into semis

Mon, 25 Sep, 2023

ASEAN Wrap: Sydney to meet Brisbane in final; JDT into semis

Kuala Lumpur: Patrick Wood and Joe Lolley were on the scoresheet at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Sunday as Sydney FC booked a title clash with Brisbane Roar in the Australia Cup by overcoming hosts Melbourne City 2-1 in a hard-fought semi-final.

In Malaysia, defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim remain on course to win the Malaysia Cup for a fourth time after a double from Brazilian striker Bergson and goals from Juan Munis and Fernando Forestieri on Saturday sealed a 7-1 aggregate win over Negeri Sembilan in the quarter-final. 
 
Persib Bandung are on a six-match unbeaten run in Indonesia following a late 2-1 win against Bhayangkara FC while there were also matches taking place in Thailand, Singapore and Cambodia, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from ASEAN.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Indian Super League 2023-24 begins, Pakhtakor gained advantage

Mon, 25 Sep, 2023

Central & South Asia Wrap: Indian Super League 2023-24 begins, Pakhtakor gained advantage

Kolkata: Mohun Bagan Super Giant FC started their defence of the Indian Super League on the right note by beating Punjab FC, while there were also wins for Mumbai City FC and Odisha FC.

In Islamic Republic of Iran, victories for Tractor FC and Zobahan pushed them up the table while in Uzbekistan, Pakhtakor were held by Sogdiana Jizzah but still increased their lead at the top.

There were also matches in Turkmenistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Bhutan, so join the-AFC.com as we round up the domestic action from Central and South Asia.

East Asia Wrap: Marinos fight back to win; Leaders Port beaten

Mon, 25 Sep, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Marinos fight back to win; Leaders Port beaten

Hong Kong: Anderson Lopes scored a brace as Yokohama F. Marinos came from behind to defeat Kashima Antlers 2-1 on Sunday, and with six games to go in Japan, the defending champions remain one point behind leaders Vissel Kobe who they will face in a heavyweight contest this Friday. 

In China PR, league leaders Shanghai Port suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Chengdu Rongcheng, but despite their recent inconsistencies, Javier Pereira’s side remain favourites to win the title as they have an eight-point lead over their closest challengers Shandong Taishan with four matches remaining. 
 
Reigning champions Ulsan Hyundai extended their lead at the top to eight points in Korea Republic with a dramatic 3-2 win against Suwon FC on Sunday while there were also matches taking place in Guam and Hong Kong, China, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.

China PR, Korea Republic advance with perfect records

Sun, 24 Sep, 2023

China PR, Korea Republic advance with perfect records

Hangzhou: Defending champions Korea Republic defeated Bahrain 3-0 as the Hangzhou Asian Games cast for the men's football Round of 16 took shape on Sunday.

Also through as group winners were hosts China PR, Islamic Republic of Iran and DPR Korea.

Philippines create history to complete Indonesia 2024 cast

Sun, 24 Sep, 2023

Philippines create history to complete Indonesia 2024 cast

Hanoi: Philippines defeated Vietnam 1-0 on Sunday to confirm their spot in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 Finals.

The result not only meant Philippines finished as the Qualifiers Round 2 Group B runners-up but also qualified for the Finals for the first time. 
 
Australia finished top after four goals from Sienna Dale powered them 4-0 past Bangladesh earlier on Sunday.
 
Australia, Philippines, Group A winners Korea Republic and runners-up Thailand join the three highest-seeded sides from the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship Thailand 2019 – current holders Japan, DPR Korea and China PR - and hosts Indonesia in the April 7-20 Finals.

#ACL - What They Said: Matchday One

Sun, 24 Sep, 2023

#ACL - What They Said: Matchday One

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 got off to a flying start this week, with drama and excitement across Asia in the opening round of fixtures. 

The next round of matches kick off in the first week of October but, before that, the-AFC.com looks back at what some of those involved had to say after their Matchday One encounters.