Central Asia Domestic Wrap: Football returns in Tajikistan, Yakhshiboev stays hot

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Central Asia Domestic Wrap: Football returns in Tajikistan, Yakhshiboev stays hot

Bishkek: Istiklol won the Tajikistan Super Cup, and Tajik football itself attracted a legion of new fans as the season proper got underway, becoming one of world’s only active football leagues in the process.

Elsewhere, Uzbekistan youngster Jasur Yakhshiboev continued his fine early season in another of the countries still in action, scoring a third goal in as many matches for Belarusian Premier League leaders FC Enegretik-BGU Minsk.

Join the-AFC.com for all the latest news and results from Dushanbe and beyond.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/lokomotiv-pamir_v_fayzkand_-_fft.html

ASEAN & East Asia Social Wrap: At home with the stars

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

ASEAN & East Asia Social Wrap: At home with the stars

Kuala Lumpur: The on-pitch action may be on hold for the time being, but players across the AFC's East and ASEAN Zones have been keeping themselves active as they #StayAtHome in order to #BreakTheChain.

From hidden talents to messy games and tips on how to fill your time during this unprecedented period, here's what some of the stars have been doing over the past few days.

The world’s only Cup winners: Istiklol overrun Khujand in Super Cup

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

The world’s only Cup winners: Istiklol overrun Khujand in Super Cup

Dushanbe: With the world watching, FC Istiklol came from behind to beat FC Khujand 2-1 in the Tajikistan Super Cup at Central Republican Stadium on Saturday.

Khujand, who finished 15 points adrift of Istiklol last season, threatened to cause an upset when they took the lead through a second-minute strike from on-loan FC Bunyodkor forward Sanjar Rikhsiboev, but two goals in two minutes from Manuchehr Dzahlilov and Muhammadjon Rakhimov settled the tie in the Dushanbe club’s favour.

4 signings who have lit up West Asian leagues this season

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

4 signings who have lit up West Asian leagues this season

Kuala Lumpur: With well over half the season gone across West Asian leagues, we look at some of the signings from the summer of 2019 who have made the biggest impact this season.

While the likes of Driss Fettouhi at Al Hazem SC, Brandley Kuwas at Al Nasr SC and Karim Ansarifard at Al Sailiyah all deserve honorary mentions in this category, here are the four new arrivals who have stood out this campaign.

My Asian Home - Aleksandar Durić

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

My Asian Home - Aleksandar Durić

Singapore: An Olympian, a refugee and one of the most prolific goal scorers in the history of Singaporean football - few players anywhere have a story with as many twists, turns and triumphs as Aleksandar Durić.

Born in 1970, Durić would famously leave his war-torn homeland to hitchhike his way to competing for Bosnia at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, only for his footballing exploits to evolve into an equally remarkable tale.

After establishing himself as a professional in Australia and China, a former teammate’s recommendation took him to Singapore, sparking a 15-year, 387-goal love-affair which saw Durić make an international debut at the age of 37 and win the 2012 AFF Cup before finally retiring as a beloved figure in 2014.

In conversation with the-AFC.com, Singapore’s Olympian goal-machine looks back of over his extraordinary career, and his plans to guide the next generation of Singaporeans in his role with the ActiveSG academy.

5 Asian FIFA World Cup Heroes 

Tue, 01 Nov, 2022

5 Asian FIFA World Cup Heroes 

Kuala Lumpur: Over the years a number of Asian players have produced the goods at the FIFA World Cup, lighting up arenas around the globe and providing incredible moments that have gone down in the Continent’s footballing folklore. 

With the kick-off for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 only days away, we turn back the clock to highlight the achievements of five Asian players who have shone brightest on the global showpiece.

You can tell us who you think is the best Asian player at the FIFA World Cup by voting at the bottom of the article. 

ACL Legends: China PR

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

ACL Legends: China PR

Kuala Lumpur: In the third part of this series of profiles, we look at five Chinese icons of the AFC Champions League era.

Since the opening edition of the AFC Champions League in 2002-03 to recent times, players from the world's most populous nation have left an indelible mark on the tournament.

While the bulk of our selection is understandably from powerhouse Guangzhou Evergrande - two-time winners and, indeed, the only side from China to lift the title in the AFC Champions League era - we have also included two stand-out forwards who have made their own Continental history away from the southern heavyweights.