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.

Al Shabab cruise past FC Nasaf for last eight spot

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

Al Shabab cruise past FC Nasaf for last eight spot

Al Wakrah: Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab returned to the AFC Champions League™ quarter-finals for the first time since 2013 after defeating FC Nasaf of Uzbekistan 2-0 in the 2022 Round of 16 at Al Janoub Stadium on Sunday.

Al Shabab were quick to show their attacking intent from the start and could have been in front inside 60 seconds when Moteb Al Harbi applied the pressure on his opposite number on the left flank, regaining the ball and feeding Hussain Al Qahtani who rifled from the edge of the box but his effort passed just over the crossbar.

Al Duhail edge Al Rayyan to book q-final ticket

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

Al Duhail edge Al Rayyan to book q-final ticket

Doha: Goalkeeper Salah Zakaria was the hero as Al Duhail advanced to the AFC Champions League™ (West) 2022 quarter-finals with a 7-6 penalty shootout victory at the expense of neighbours Al Rayyan after the two sides had played out a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes at Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday.

Al Rayyan’s first foray into the knockout stages ended in heartbreak, while Al Duhail returned to the last eight of the competition for the fourth time in their history and the first since 2018.

Preview - Ro16: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (UAE)

Tue, 21 Feb, 2023

Preview - Ro16: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (UAE)

Al Wakrah: Al Hilal SFC will not change their approach despite Shabab Al Ahli Dubai expected to offer a different kind of challenge when the sides clash in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 (West) Round of 16 on Monday.

Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, fresh from their runners-up finish in the FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2022, are aiming to not only defend the AFC Champions League title but lift the trophy for the third time in four years.

UAE side Shahab Al Ahli, however, are very much a team in form and will pose a stiff challenge at the Al Janoub Stadium.

Preview - Ro16: Al Faisaly FC (KSA) v Foolad Khouzestan FC (IRN)

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

Preview - Ro16: Al Faisaly FC (KSA) v Foolad Khouzestan FC (IRN)

Doha: Al Faisaly will play with freedom when they meet Foolad Khouzestan FC in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 (West) Round of 16 on Monday.

Much has changed for tournament debutants Al Faisaly since they booked a place in the Round of 16 last April, with the club relegated from the Saudi Pro League.

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. 

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.

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.