West Asia Wrap: Shabab Al Ahli clinch UAE title

Mon, 08 May, 2023

West Asia Wrap: Shabab Al Ahli clinch UAE title

Doha: Shabab Al Ahli defeated Baniyas 2-1 to win the 2022-23 UAE Pro League title with a match to spare on Sunday.

In Qatar, the race for the title goes down to the final day after Al Duhail SC's setback against Al Sadd SC.
 
Al Ittihad, meanwhile, suffered defeat in the Saudi Pro League as the title race took another twist so join the-AFC.com as we review the latest round of domestic action in West Asia.

ASEAN Wrap: Sydney test for Premiers City; Tampines stumble

Mon, 08 May, 2023

ASEAN Wrap: Sydney test for Premiers City; Tampines stumble

Kuala Lumpur: The semi-final contests in the A-League are confirmed after Adelaide United and Sydney FC both posted victories in the elimination finals over the weekend in Australia to join Premiers Melbourne City and second-placed Central Coast Mariners in the final four. 

Title-chasing Tampines Rovers suffered their first defeat of the season in Singapore when they fell to Balestier Khalsa on Friday while defending champions and league leaders Albirex Niigata (S) recorded their fifth successive victory by overcoming Hougang United 5-0 on Saturday.
 
It’s a three-way battle between Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen United and PT Prachuap to avoid relegation in Thailand while there were first wins of the season for Lun Bawang and MS ABDB in Brunei Darussalam, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from across ASEAN. 

East Asia Wrap: Kitchee champions of Hong Kong; Marinos close in

Mon, 08 May, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Kitchee champions of Hong Kong; Marinos close in

Hong Kong: Kitchee SC secured their third consecutive Hong Kong Premier League crown by salvaging a point in a 2-2 draw against title challengers Lee Man FC on Sunday in a nail-biting final game of the season that saw them finish two points clear at the top.

Yokohama F. Marinos are within two points of Vissel Kobe at the top of the standings in Japan after the defending champions posted back-to-back wins against Sagan Tosu and Kyoto Sanga while the leaders threw away a two-goal lead against high-flying Nagoya Grampus last Wednesday. 

In Korea Republic, reigning champions Ulsan Hyundai increased their advantage at the top of the standings to eight points with a 3-0 defeat of Daegu FC and there were also matches in China PR, Chinese Taipei, Macau and Guam, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from across East Asia.

Andersen determined to defy odds again

Mon, 08 May, 2023

Andersen determined to defy odds again

Hong Kong: Jorn Andersen became a celebrity in Hong Kong, China after guiding the territory’s representative team to the AFC Asian Cup™ for the first time in more than half a century. 

Ahead of Thursday's highly anticipated draw in Doha, The Norwegian tells the-AFC.com what it means to qualify and his hopes for Hong Kong at the Finals in Qatar.

Men's Group A: Timor-Leste 0-3 Indonesia; Myanmar 2-0 Cambodia

Sun, 07 May, 2023

Men's Group A: Timor-Leste 0-3 Indonesia; Myanmar 2-0 Cambodia

Phnom Penh: Indonesia qualified for the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games Men's Football semi-finals with a match to spare after defeating Timor-Leste 3-0 in Group A on Sunday.

Myanmar, meanwhile, scored a crucial 2-0 victory over Cambodia to boost their last four hopes. 

Scholz: Urawa owe victory to Rodriguez, Skorza

Sun, 07 May, 2023

Scholz: Urawa owe victory to Rodriguez, Skorza

Saitama: Urawa Red Diamonds defender Alex Scholz paid tribute to former head coach Ricardo Rodriguez after the Japanese club defeated defending champions Al Hilal SFC to win the AFC Champions League™ for a third time at Saitama Stadium 2002 on Saturday.

Rodriguez guided Urawa through the group phase and the knockout rounds last year, securing the team a place in the final with a shoot-out win over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors before leaving the club at the end of last season after a disappointing J.League campaign
 
The Spaniard has since been replaced by Poland’s Maciej Skorza, who masterminded the 2-1 aggregate win over the Saudi Arabian side after instilling a newly positive atmosphere within the Urawa squad.

Diaz vows Al Hilal will bounce back stronger

Sun, 07 May, 2023

Diaz vows Al Hilal will bounce back stronger

Saitama: Head coach Ramon Diaz wants Al Hilal SFC to bounce back from their AFC Champions League™ 2022 disappointment by challenging for the title again next season.

Al Hilal’s bid for a third title in four seasons was denied by Urawa Red Diamonds on Saturday, with the Japanese side carving a 1-0 win in the second leg for a 2-1 aggregate victory. 

Al Hilal had started the match positively, with the experienced trio of Abdullah Al Hamdan, Odion Ighalo and Michael leading their charge but failure to convert their chances cost the Saudi Arabia side dearly at the Saitama Stadium 2002. 

Skorza credits hard work for Urawa’s amazing triumph

Sat, 06 May, 2023

Skorza credits hard work for Urawa’s amazing triumph

Saitama: Head coach Maciej Skorza revealed that hard work and dedication were the reasons behind Urawa Red Diamonds lifting the AFC Champions League™ 2022 title on Saturday.

An own goal from Andre Carrillo in the second half sealed Urawa a 2-1 aggregate win over defending champions Al Hilal SFC of Saudi Arabia as the Japanese side became the first team to win the trophy for a third time in the AFC Champions League era.