China PR title race poised for last-day drama as Paulinho hits brace

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

China PR title race poised for last-day drama as Paulinho hits brace

Shanghai: Paulinho scored twice for top-of-the-table Guangzhou Evergrande in a 3-1 victory on Wednesday but the Chinese Super League title race will go to the final day of the season.

Fellow Brazilian Anderson Talisca also netted in a comfortable win at Javier Mascherano's Hebei China Fortune but Beijing Guoan defeated Guangzhou R&F 4-1 to set up a nerve-wracking finale to the campaign on Sunday.

Fabio Cannavaro's Evergrande are two points clear of Beijing and host struggling Shanghai Shenhua with one hand on their eighth league crown.

Bruno Genesio's Beijing, the only side that can catch them, must beat fourth-placed Shandong Luneng at home and hope Evergrande lose.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/guangzhou.html

East Asia Domestic Wrap: Ulsan edge closer to K League title

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

East Asia Domestic Wrap: Ulsan edge closer to K League title

Kuala Lumpur: Ulsan Hyundai need just a point from their final game of the season to be crowned K League champions after playing out a 1-1 draw with title rivals Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Saturday. 

Elsewhere, Guangzhou Evergrande defeated Shanghai SIPG to take a giant step towards the Chinese Super League title and Yokohama F. Marinos moved top of the J.League after a dramatic weekend in Japan.

There was also a full set of fixtures in Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and Guam, so join the-AFC.com as we review all the action in what was a busy few days in East Asia.

ASEAN Domestic Wrap: Melbourne City stay top after last-gasp win

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

ASEAN Domestic Wrap: Melbourne City stay top after last-gasp win

Kuala Lumpur: Melbourne City left it late to beat Western Sydney Wanderers and remain top of Australia's A-League at the weekend, while there was a first win of the season for Wellington Phoenix at the other end of the table. 

Elsewhere, Indonesia’s runaway league leaders Bali United have now gone five games without a win following defeat to PSM Makassar, but the cluster of teams beneath them yet again failed to take advantage of their dropped points. 

With the only action in ASEAN coming in the Australian and Indonesian domestic competitions, here’s the-AFC.com’s review of the latest round of fixtures in the A-League and Liga 1.

Central Asia Domestic Wrap: Six in a row for Altyn Asyr, Istiklol taste Cup glory

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Central Asia Domestic Wrap: Six in a row for Altyn Asyr, Istiklol taste Cup glory

Bishkek: FC Altyn Asyr reinforced their status as the kings of football in Turkmenistan with a sixth successive Yokary Liga title, while FC Istiklol completed a clean sweep of Tajikistan’s domestic honours with a dramatic Cup Final win.

Elsewhere, relegation beckons for two Uzbekistan clubs, while Iranian top flight action resumed after the international break.

Join the-AFC.com for all the key results from Ashgabat to Andijan.

South Asia Domestic Wrap: ATK lead, Bengaluru move up

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

South Asia Domestic Wrap: ATK lead, Bengaluru move up

New Delhi: Domestic league action resumed following the international break as the Indian Super League saw Bengaluru move up to second in the standings.

Bhutan's Premier League season came to an end as Transport United held on to second place despite falling to a defeat against BFF United.

Participation in ACL vital for players' development, says Malaysia's Tan

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Participation in ACL vital for players' development, says Malaysia's Tan

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia are right up there challenging for a place in the next round of the Asian Qualifiers and head coach Tan Cheng Hoe knows the reason why - Johor Darul Ta'zim's participation in the AFC Champions League.

The Malaysian champions made their group stage bow in the 2019 AFC Champions League and, despite not advancing, turned heads with fighting performances which included defeating 2018 winners Kashima Antlers.

With Johor Darul Ta'zim providing the core of the players for the Malaysia national team fighting for a place in the next round of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and a confirmed slot in the AFC Asian Cup China 2023, Tan said the experience of playing against Asia's top clubs have benefitted Harimau Malaya.

Tan shares his thoughts with the-AFC.com.

Group A: Cambodia, Myanmar score important wins

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Group A: Cambodia, Myanmar score important wins

Manila: Cambodia surged to an impressive win over Timor-Leste while Myanmar struck late to defeat hosts Philippines in Group A of the 2019 SEA Games on Wednesday.

Cambodia defeated Timor-Leste 5-0 while Myanmar edged Philippines 2-1 as both teams moved to the top of the standings, with Cambodia ahead on goal difference.