LATEST NEWS - BFF

Sri Lanka, Brunei shine in pilot FIFA Series

Fri, 29 Mar, 2024

Sri Lanka, Brunei shine in pilot FIFA Series

Kuala Lumpur: The inaugural FIFA Series took place across six different locations over the recent international period featuring 24 teams from all over the world including five from Asia.

Mongolia, Cambodia, Brunei Darussalam, Sri Lanka and Bhutan were all part of the new FIFA initiative, so join the-AFC.com as we recap how these teams fared.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Istiklol champions again; Arkadag secure title

Mon, 11 Dec, 2023

Central & South Asia Wrap: Istiklol champions again; Arkadag secure title

Dushanbe: FC Istiklol are confirmed as Tajikistan Higher League champions with two games to spare, extending their incredible hold on the league title they have won every season since 2014.

The league title was also won in Turkmenistan as FC Arkadag continued to be perfect, their 21st win of the season giving them an unassailable lead over Altyn Asyr.

Matches were also played in Islamic Republic of Iran, India, Uzbekistan, Bhutan and Maldives - so join the-AFC.com as we recap the action from the past week in Central and South Asia.

Central & South Asian Wrap: Istiklol edge closer, Goa return to the top

Mon, 04 Dec, 2023

Central & South Asian Wrap: Istiklol edge closer, Goa return to the top

Rudaki: FC Istiklol only need one point from their remaining three matches to retain the Tajikistan Higher League title after another win in the Championship Round.

In the Indian Super League, FC Goa secured two wins the past week to overtake Kerala Blasters at the top of the standings.

Action also took place in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Bhutan and Maldives, so join the-AFC.com as we recap the latest from Central and South Asia.

Central & South Asian Wrap: Pakhtakor champs again, Kerala move to the summit

Mon, 27 Nov, 2023

Central & South Asian Wrap: Pakhtakor champs again, Kerala move to the summit

Termez: Pakhtakor FC wrapped up the 2023 Uzbekistan Super League title on Friday after Navbahor slipped up at Olympic, as the Lions emerged champions for the 16th time.

In the Indian Super League, a third straight win for Kerala Blasters saw them climb to the top spot. 

In the Iran Pro League, Esteghlal FC and Zobahan met in a top of the table clash and there was also action in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Bhutan and Maldives - so join the-AFC.com as we bring to up to date with the latest from Central and South Asia.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Nasaf retain Uzbekistan Cup

Mon, 13 Nov, 2023

Central & South Asia Wrap: Nasaf retain Uzbekistan Cup

Qarshi: FC Nasaf lifted the Uzbekistan Cup for the third straight year after a hard-fought win over fellow AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 side, AGMK FC.

In Islamic Republic of Iran, Esteghlal FC increased their lead at the top while Arkadag’s winning momentum in Turkmenistan remains unchallenged.

Domestic action also took place in India and Bhutan, so join the-AFC.com as we look back at another week of exciting matches in Central and South Asia.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Abdysh-Ata retain league title, Istiklol win cup

Mon, 06 Nov, 2023

Central & South Asia Wrap: Abdysh-Ata retain league title, Istiklol win cup

Kant: The 2023 Kyrgyz Premier League came to a close last week with Abdysh-Ata Kant sealing their second straight league title that comes with a place on the continental stage in the 2024/25 AFC Champions League 2.

There were also winners in Tajikistan with FC Istiklol emerging as the Tajikistan Cup champions, their 10th time lifting the coveted trophy.

Over in Uzbekistan, Pakhtakor remained the firm favourites for the league title while in Islamic Republic of Iran, Esteghlal and Persepolis were reined in by Malavan.

Domestic action also took place in Turkmenistan, India and Bhutan - so join the-AFC.com as we get you up to date with the latest from Central and South Asia.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Pakhtakor, Abdysh-Ata inch closer to titles

Mon, 30 Oct, 2023

Central & South Asia Wrap: Pakhtakor, Abdysh-Ata inch closer to titles

Bukhara: Pakhtakor FC stayed in pole position to retain their Uzbekistan Super League title but have FC Nasaf and Navbahor in close pursuit after all three won in the past week.

Titles are also close to being decided in the Kyrgyz Premier League and Turkmenistan Higher League with Abdysh-Ata Kant and Arkadag leading the respective races.

Over in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Esteghlal FC have a lead in the Iran Pro League while FC Goa have the same in the Indian Super League, so join the-AFC.com as we recap the past week’s domestic action across Central and South Asia.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Persepolis and Esteghlal impress, Goa, Paro stay perfect

Mon, 23 Oct, 2023

Central & South Asia Wrap: Persepolis and Esteghlal impress, Goa, Paro stay perfect

Qazvin: Persepolis continued their impressive start to the season, picking up their sixth win from seven matches in the Iran Pro League with title rivals Esteghlal only a point behind.

It was cup action in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan with FC Nasaf and AGMK FC making it to the Uzbekistan Cup final while FC Istiklol and FC Ravshan will contest the Tajikistan Cup final.

There were also matches in Kyrgyz Republic, India and Bhutan, so join the-AFC.com as we catch up with the latest action from Central and South Asia.

Round 1: Hong Kong, China survive Bhutan fightback

Tue, 17 Oct, 2023

Round 1: Hong Kong, China survive Bhutan fightback

Thimphu: Hong Kong, China survived a huge scare to book their ticket to the Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ after a 2-0 defeat to Bhutan on Tuesday saw them advance 4-2 on aggregate.

Having suffered a heavy 4-0 away loss in the first leg of Round 1 last Thursday, Bhutan took the lead just before the half hour of the return meeting at Changlimithang Stadium through captain Chencho Gyeltshen before Lobzang Chogyal made it two early in the second half.
 
But a third goal was not forthcoming as Hong Kong held out to progress to Round 2, where they will join Islamic Republic of Iran, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in a tricky looking Group E.

Andersen delighted, Dorji remains hopeful

Fri, 13 Oct, 2023

Andersen delighted, Dorji remains hopeful

Hong Kong: Head coach Jorn Andersen was delighted with his Hong Kong, China's first half display in their 4-0 win over Bhutan on Thursday as the east Asians took a huge step towards qualifying for the second round of the Preliminary Joint Qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Michael Udebuluzor scored twice with his head in the opening 15 minutes to give the home side the perfect start before Shinichi Chan and an own goal from Tenzin Norbu gave Andersen’s team a four-goal cushion at the interval.
 
But while Matt Orr hit the post in the dying moments of the game, Hong Kong, China were unable to add to their haul with a lacklustre second half performance that took some of the gloss off a comfortable win.

Round 1: Hong Kong, China 4-0 Bhutan

Thu, 12 Oct, 2023

Round 1: Hong Kong, China 4-0 Bhutan

Hong Kong: Michael Udebuluzor’s early double sent Hong Kong, China on their way to a 4-0 win over Bhutan at Hong Kong Stadium in the Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday to move a step closer to a place in the next round.

Udebuluzor, making only his second start for the territory, headed home in the 10th and 15th minutes before goals from Shinichi Chan and Bhutan’s Tenzin Norbu ensured Jorn Andersen’s side go to Thimphu on Tuesday confident of progressing.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Dordoi and Abdysh-Ata close gap, Navbahor impress in big win

Mon, 02 Oct, 2023

Central & South Asia Wrap: Dordoi and Abdysh-Ata close gap, Navbahor impress in big win

Bishkek: Dordoi and Abdysh-Ata both picked up four points from two matches to put the pressure on Alay with just four points separating the three teams at the top of the Kyrgyz Premier League.

Over in the Uzbekistan Premier League, league leaders Pakhtakor had to settle for a point with nearest challengers Navbahor producing a five star performance.

There were also matches in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, India and Bhutan; so join the-AFC.com as we recap the domestic action from Central and South Asia this past week.