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Europe Wrap: Scoring week for Asian stars

Tue, 17 Feb, 2026

Europe Wrap: Scoring week for Asian stars

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran’s Allahyar Sayyad, Jordan’s Mousa Al Tamari, Syria’s Aiham Ousou and Japan’s Atsuki Ito all found the back of the net across Europe this past week.

Japan international Wataru Endo made his first league start of the season for Liverpool in the English Premier League but the midfielder’s joy was short-lived as he was stretchered out after the break with an ankle injury. 

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.

Preview: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) v Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Mon, 16 Feb, 2026

Preview: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) v Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Iskandar Puteri: Johor Darul Ta’zim can't afford anything other than victory when they meet Vissel Kobe in their concluding AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ tie on Tuesday.

Malaysia's JDT are seventh in the standings with eight points while Japan's Vissel Kobe will be seeking victory to confirm themselves as the top team in the East Zone.

Preview: FC Machida Zelvia (JPN) v Chengdu Rongcheng FC (CHN)

Mon, 16 Feb, 2026

Preview: FC Machida Zelvia (JPN) v Chengdu Rongcheng FC (CHN)

Machida: Victory will be FC Machida Zelvia's only expectation when they play Chengdu Rongcheng FC in their concluding AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ tie on Tuesday.

Japan's Machida could end the League Stage top of the table while China PR's Chengdu desperately need victory if they are to stand a chance of advancing.

Preview: FC Seoul (KOR) v Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)

Mon, 16 Feb, 2026

Preview: FC Seoul (KOR) v Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)

Seoul: FC Seoul will have to be at their best on Tuesday if they are to keep their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ hopes alive.

The Korea Republic outfit - sixth with nine points - will confirm their Round of 16 spot with victory but will face a FC Machida Zelvia who could finish top of the East Zone with three points.

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Verdy drama; Buriram statement and Sailors perfection headline pivotal week

Mon, 16 Feb, 2026

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Verdy drama; Buriram statement and Sailors perfection headline pivotal week

Kuala Lumpur: Tokyo Verdy and Sanfrecce Hiroshima set the tone in Japan with late drama and shootout composure while Newcastle Jets strengthened their grip on the A-League summit with another assured display.

In Thailand, Buriram United delivered a title statement away to BG Pathum United while Lion City Sailors continued their perfect run in Singapore with a seven-goal demolition of Tanjong Pagar.
 
There was also action in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the domestic scene unfolded across ASEAN and East Asia this past week.

Park, Wissing content with stalemate

Fri, 13 Feb, 2026

Park, Wissing content with stalemate

Pohang: Park Tae-ha and Jens Wissing expressed their satisfaction despite FC Pohang Steelers and Gamba Osaka sharing a 1-1 draw in their AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™ Round of 16 first leg tie on Thursday.

New season jitters played a part in the result with the match being Pohang’s first of the year and Gamba’s second.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_two.html/video/acltwo-|-r16-1st-leg-fc-pohang-steelers-kor-1-1-gamba-osaka-jpn

R16 (1st Leg): FC Pohang Steelers (KOR) 1-1 Gamba Osaka (JPN)

Thu, 12 Feb, 2026

R16 (1st Leg): FC Pohang Steelers (KOR) 1-1 Gamba Osaka (JPN)

Pohang: FC Pohang Steelers and Gamba Osaka have it all to play for in their AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™ Round of 16 tie after sharing a 1-1 stalemate in the first leg on Thursday.

Ryoya Yamashita gave the visitors the lead early in the second half but the Japanese side were pegged back by a spectacular Jorge Luiz strike for the Korea Republic outfit to set up an enticing return fixture at Suita City Football Stadium next week.

Saudi Arabia 2026 hopefuls discover road to glory

Thu, 12 Feb, 2026

Saudi Arabia 2026 hopefuls discover road to glory

Kuala Lumpur: The teams vying for the title learnt their Group Stage challengers following the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Official Draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The 16 teams were divided into four groups with the tournament to be contested between between May 5 and 22, 2026.

China 2026 Draw finalised

Thu, 12 Feb, 2026

China 2026 Draw finalised

Kuala Lumpur: The 12 hopefuls for the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026™ discovered their road to continental glory following the Official Draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The 12 teams - expanded from eight - were divided into three groups with the tournament to be contested between May 1 and 17, 2026.

Kuroda proud as Machida achieve target

Wed, 11 Feb, 2026

Kuroda proud as Machida achieve target

Shanghai: FC Machida Zelvia’s fairy-tale debut in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ continues as the Japanese side secured qualification to the Round of 16 with head coach Go Kuroda expressing his delight at the achievement.

Machida capped an impressive continental debut with a 2-0 against China PR’s Shanghai Shenhua FC on Tuesday to take them up 14 points, with Kuroda pinpointing Yuki Soma’s third minute opener from the penalty spot as being crucial to the win.

Skibbe pleased as Vissel kick off season in style

Wed, 11 Feb, 2026

Skibbe pleased as Vissel kick off season in style

Kobe: Michael Skibbe was delighted to see his Vissel Kobe side qualifying for the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 following a 2-0 win against FC Seoul on Tuesday.

The victory confirmed Vissel Kobe’s second successive appearance in the Round of 16 but the German tactician admitted it was achieved with some difficulty due in part to the busy schedule ahead.