West Asia Wrap: Lebanon, Oman leagues back in action; UAE League Cup quarter-final cast confirmed

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

West Asia Wrap: Lebanon, Oman leagues back in action; UAE League Cup quarter-final cast confirmed

Doha: Domestic leagues across the West Asia region swung back in action with Lebanon’s Al Ansar and Al Nahda of Oman picking up wins. 

Muharraq Club continued their fine form in Bahrain, while the UAE League Cup saw the quarter-final cast confirmed. 

Join the-AFC.com as we dive into the past week’s domestic action across West Asia.

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: JDT secure treble in Malaysia; Hanoi lift National Cup in Vietnam

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: JDT secure treble in Malaysia; Hanoi lift National Cup in Vietnam

Kuala Lumpur: Bergson and Fernando Forestieri scored as Johor Darul Ta’zim claimed their first-ever domestic treble by defeating Selangor 2-1 in the 2022 Malaysia Cup final at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Saturday. 

Doan Van Hau and Truong Van Thai Quy produced two stunning goals as Hanoi FC lifted the Vietnamese National Cup by beating Binh Dinh 2-0 in Sunday’s final in Hanoi while Tainan City emerged league champions in Chinese Taipei for the third season running. 
 
In China PR, Wuhan Three Towns are back at the top of the table, but with only goal difference separating them from the chasing Shandong Taishan. There were also matches in Thailand, Hong Kong and Cambodia last week, so join the-AFC.com as we review the action from across ASEAN and East Asia. 

Central & South Asia Wrap: Istiklol end season on high note; Mumbai City surge

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Central & South Asia Wrap: Istiklol end season on high note; Mumbai City surge

Dushanbe: FC Istiklol were simply too good as they brought the Tajik League to a close with back-to-back wins, while Mumbai City FC overtook Hyderabad FC for top spot in the Indian Super League. 

FC Ahal continued their fine form to lead the Turkmenistan Yokary Liga, with Paro FC flexing their muscles to stay on top of the Bhutan National League. 

Join the-AFC.com as we dive into the past week’s domestic action across Central and South Asia.

Preview - Group H: Korea Republic v Ghana

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Preview - Group H: Korea Republic v Ghana

Al Rayyan: Korea Republic head coach Paulo Bento said the team would see a "different" Son Heung-min against Ghana on Monday after the forward got used to his face mask during their opening FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 match.

Son wore the mask during his side's 0-0 draw against Uruguay in Group H following surgery to repair a fracture around his left eye he suffered earlier this month while playing for Tottenham.

Carvajal: Spain must beat Japan for right knockout form

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Carvajal: Spain must beat Japan for right knockout form

Al Khor: Dani Carvajal said Spain must try and beat Japan in their final FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match, even though a point would clinch qualification for the last 16.

Luis Enrique's side conceded a late equaliser against Germany in a 1-1 draw on Sunday, meaning Spain are top on four points, above Costa Rica and Japan on three, and Germany on one.

Yoshida rallies Japan after Costa Rica disappointment

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Yoshida rallies Japan after Costa Rica disappointment

Al Rayyan: Japan captain Maya Yoshida urged his team to stick together after their 1-0 loss to Costa Rica on Sunday and believes a place in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 knockout round is still within their reach.

Yoshida said the Blue Samurai struggled to come down from the high of beating Germany in their opening Group E game and found it "difficult" to prepare for Costa Rica, who were coming off a 7-0 thrashing by Spain.

Japan will likely now need at least a point in their final group game against Spain to progress and Yoshida urged his teammates to pull off another famous win.

Duke, journeyman goal hero spearheading Australia

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Duke, journeyman goal hero spearheading Australia

Doha: Mitchell Duke wouldn't be high on anyone's list of FIFA World Cup stars but the journeyman forward is pivotal to Australia's hopes of reaching the last 16 for only the second time.

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Robert Lewandowski all scored crucial goals in Qatar on Saturday - and so did Duke, who plays in Japan's second tier and turns 32 in January.

Duke gave Tunisia's defence a torrid time with his physicality but his 23rd-minute header for what turned out to be the winner was a thing of beauty as he deftly glanced the ball over his shoulder and into the net.