Itakura returns to Gladbach; Al Shabab nab Partey

Sat, 22 Aug, 2026

Itakura returns to Gladbach; Al Shabab nab Partey

Kuala Lumpur: Japan international Ko Itakura completed a return to the German Bundesliga after re-signing for Borussia Monchengladbach.

The 29-year-old played in the Dutch Eredivisie with Ajax last season and captained Japan to the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Einaga seals Belgium move; Cancelo returns to Barcelona

Fri, 21 Aug, 2026

Einaga seals Belgium move; Cancelo returns to Barcelona

Kuala Lumpur: Japan’s Takatora Einaga secured a move to Europe after completing a permanent transfer to Belgian side K. Beerschot V.A.

Einaga has signed a two-year contract at the Kiel, with an option for an additional season.

Elsewhere, Al Hilal SFC defender Joao Cancelo returned to Barcelona and Ryo Nakamura joined Thespa Gunma on loan.

#AFCU17 hopefuls set for Qualifiers Draw

Tue, 11 Aug, 2026

#AFCU17 hopefuls set for Qualifiers Draw

Kuala Lumpur: The road to the AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027™ will begin with the Qualifiers Draw on August 27 (Thursday) at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Set to take place at 3pm, the ceremony will split the 35 participating teams into seven groups of five to contest a single round-robin centralised league for the qualifying rounds that run from November 8 to 20, 2026.

Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan learn Brazil 2027 playoff path

Fri, 21 Aug, 2026

Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan learn Brazil 2027 playoff path

Kuala Lumpur: Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan have discovered their paths in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 Playoff Tournament, with the two sides aiming to further increase Asia’s representation at the global showpiece.

The preliminary phase draw, conducted in Zurich on Thursday, placed the AFC representatives among six teams battling for two places in the final phase of the Inter-Confederation Playoffs.

Indonesia, Japan make FIFAe Finals 2026 in Console

Fri, 21 Aug, 2026

Indonesia, Japan make FIFAe Finals 2026 in Console

Kuala Lumpur: It was jubilation for Indonesia and Japan as the two sides confirmed their participation in the FIFAe Finals 2026 in eFootball Console after emerging victorious in their respective semi-final ties at the FIFAe Continental Championship 2026 by AFC, while Malaysia and Jordan will try their luck in the 2nd Chance Final on Saturday.

As the top two finishers in the Group Stage standings, Indonesia and Jordan enjoyed direct qualification to the semi-finals, while Malaysia, Thailand, Japan and Lebanon battled in best-of-two quarter-final ties for the remaining two places.

Japan, India book FIFAe Finals 2026 spots in eFootball Mobile

Fri, 21 Aug, 2026

Japan, India book FIFAe Finals 2026 spots in eFootball Mobile

Kuala Lumpur: Japan and India secured their places at the FIFAe Finals 2026 after coming through their respective semi-final ties at the FIFAe Continental Championship 2026 by AFC, while Jordan and Thailand will get another opportunity to qualify through the 2nd Chance Final.

The top two teams from the Group Stage, Japan and India, advanced directly to the semi-finals, while Indonesia, Malaysia, Jordan and Thailand battled through the Knockout Stage for the remaining two semi-final spots.