Premier League for Maeda, Lee returns to Spain

Sun, 26 Jul, 2026

Premier League for Maeda, Lee returns to Spain

Kuala Lumpur: Ipswich signed Japan forward Daizen Maeda from Scottish champions Celtic while Korea Republic international Kang-In Lee has joined Atletico Madrid from France’s Paris Saint-Germain.

Maeda agreed a three-year contract with the newly-promoted Premier League club after four and a half years with Celtic where he lifted five Scottish titles, three Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups.

The 28-year-old scored 79 goals in 212 appearances for Celtic and was a member of the Japan squad that reached the last 32 at the FIFA World Cup 2026 before losing to Brazil.

Inzaghi signs Summerville; Morita seals Hull City move

Sat, 25 Jul, 2026

Inzaghi signs Summerville; Morita seals Hull City move

Kuala Lumpur: Head coach Simone Inzaghi has further strengthened Al Hilal SFC’s star-studded squad with the signing of Netherlands international Crysencio Summerville, while Japan midfielder Hidemasa Morita has completed a move to English side Hull City.

Summerville joined the four-time Asian champions from West Ham United on a four-year contract, with the signing completed at Al Hilal’s pre-season training camp in Austria.

Koln snap up Okon-Engstler, Dahal joins Al Hilal

Fri, 24 Jul, 2026

Koln snap up Okon-Engstler, Dahal joins Al Hilal

Kuala Lumpur: Australian international Paul Okon-Engstler secured a move to German Bundesliga club FC Koln on a four-year deal on Thursday.

Four-time Asian champions Al Hilal SFC, meanwhile, have inked a deal with rising talent Sabri Dahal, signing the youngster from fellow Saudi Pro League, Al Fayha.

Group B: Malaysia roar; Thailand cruise

Sat, 25 Jul, 2026

Group B: Malaysia roar; Thailand cruise

Yangon: Two goals in five second-half minutes from captain Paulo Josue earned Malaysia a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Myanmar in Yangon on Saturday as Tan Cheng Hoe’s side made a winning start to Group B in the ASEAN Championship 2026.

Thailand, meanwhile, began their bid to reclaim the title with an impressive 5-0 defeat of Laos.

Group A: Winning starts for Vietnam, Singapore

Fri, 24 Jul, 2026

Group A: Winning starts for Vietnam, Singapore

Chonburi: Vietnam made a winning start to their defence of the ASEAN Championship title on Friday as Kim Sang-sik’s side handed Timor-Leste a 7-0 defeat in Group A in Chonburi while Singapore registered a last-gasp 2-1 win over Cambodia in Phnom Penh.

Nguyen Dinh Bac scored a hat-trick for the three-time champions while Do Hoang Hen struck twice and Nguyen Xuan Son was also on target before an own goal by Liam Farrugia completed the scoring.

Asian Review: Japan

Sat, 25 Jul, 2026

Asian Review: Japan

Kuala Lumpur: Japan's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign may have ended at the first knockout stage but they exited the tournament with their heads held high after producing strong performances.

A late Gabriel Martinelli goal meant a 2-1 defeat to Brazil in their Round of 32 showdown but head coach Hajime Moriyasu remains firmly convinced that the trajectory that Japan are on will lead them to the world title in the near future.

That Japan can hold their own against the biggest teams in the world can no longer be disputed, with the Samurai Blue having defeated Brazil and England in friendly matches leading up to the FIFA World Cup 2026.