Korea Republic off to great start

Mon, 07 Jul, 2025

Korea Republic off to great start

Yongin: Korea Republic kickstarted their 2025 (EAFF) E-1 Football Championship campaign with a 3-0 win against China PR on Monday.

Five-time winners of the competition, Hong Myung-bo’s side will next take on Hong Kong, China on Friday while China PR will look to bounce back against Japan on Saturday.

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Furuhashi joins Birmingham City

Mon, 07 Jul, 2025

Furuhashi joins Birmingham City

Kuala Lumpur: Japan forward Kyogo Furuhashi has moved to English Championship side Birmingham City, penning a three-year deal with the newly promoted outfit.

Furuhashi has joined City after a disappointing six-month spell with French side Stade Rennes, who he moved to in January after three-and-a-half trophy laden seasons with Celtic in Scotland.

Central, South and West Asia Wrap: Al Ansar close in on Lebanese title; Nasaf keep it late in Uzbekistan

Mon, 07 Jul, 2025

Central, South and West Asia Wrap: Al Ansar close in on Lebanese title; Nasaf keep it late in Uzbekistan

Doha: Al Ansar moved closer to the Lebanese Premier League title with a crucial win over Sagesse while the season came to a close in Iraq.

FC Nasaf struck a late equaliser to maintain their unbeaten run in the Uzbekistan Super League while Paro continued their winning ways in the Bhutan Premier League.
 
Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central, South and West Asia.

East Asia Wrap: Kashiwa take top spot; Kobe close in

Mon, 07 Jul, 2025

East Asia Wrap: Kashiwa take top spot; Kobe close in

Hong Kong: Kashiwa Reysol moved to the summit of the J1 League after edging FC Tokyo, while defending champions Vissel Kobe capitalised on a double gameweek to close the gap.

In Mongolia, Falcons maintained their lead with back-to-back wins as Khangarid stayed in pursuit. Over in Macau, Must IPO and Shao Jiang continued their title battle in the Championship Group.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across East Asia.

Kulbyte hails Uzbekistan’s resilience after sealing continental return

Sun, 06 Jul, 2025

Kulbyte hails Uzbekistan’s resilience after sealing continental return

Tashkent: Uzbekistan head coach Kotryna Kulbyte praised her players’ resilience and character after they overcame a red card and a spirited Nepal fightback to book their place in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ with a dramatic 4-2 win on penalties on Saturday.

In what proved to be a thrilling finale to Group F, the hosts looked to be cruising after taking a 2-0 lead by the 40th minute, but the game turned on its head after Nozimakhon Ergasheva’s sending off in first half stoppage time. 

Nepal took full advantage, with forward Sabitra Bhandari netting a hat-trick to force a 3-3 draw and sending the match to a penalty shootout as the sides were tied on points and goal difference. Uzbekistan, however, were perfect from the spot while Sabitra and goalkeeper Anjana Rana Magar failed to convert for Nepal as the Central Asian side finished top of Group F.

Chinese Taipei deserved qualification, says Chan

Sun, 06 Jul, 2025

Chinese Taipei deserved qualification, says Chan

Tangerang Regency: Three-time champions Chinese Taipei confirmed their spot at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ after beating Indonesia 2-1 in their Qualifiers Group D decider on Saturday.

Head coach Chan Hiu Meng believes that Chinese Taipei’s achievement in securing a second straight Finals appearance is one that is warranted given the drive and focus that the squad has shown towards this path.

Chettri envisions bright future for India

Sun, 06 Jul, 2025

Chettri envisions bright future for India

Chiang Mai: India sealed their place at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Thailand on Saturday with head coach Crispin Chettri attributing the qualification to long-term development.

Sangita Basfore was the star on Saturday, scoring both goals to ensure India finished top of Group B with a perfect record of 12 points, leaving former champions Thailand to miss out on a place in the Finals.

Torcaso proud as Philippines meet all targets

Sun, 06 Jul, 2025

Torcaso proud as Philippines meet all targets

Phnom Penh: Head coach Mark Torcaso was a happy man after the Philippines kept their winning run going by beating Hong Kong, China 1-0 to book their place at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™.

The Australian had set several targets for the Philippines going into the Qualifiers and was pleased that his players achieved every single one of them as they topped Group G with a perfect nine points. 

Vietnam’s Mai attributes progress to tactical discipline

Sun, 06 Jul, 2025

Vietnam’s Mai attributes progress to tactical discipline

Viet Tri: Head coach Mai Duc Chung was full of praise for Vietnam’s tactical discipline after the Southeast Asian side booked their place at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ with a commanding 4-0 victory over Guam on Saturday.

The win meant a 10th successive appearance at the Finals, with Vietnam topping Group E of the Qualifiers with a perfect nine points.