In today’s round-up, an Asian Qualifiers postponement, a big-name managerial departure and an opportunity for Indonesia’s youngsters to shine.


Making his first foray into the rarefied atmosphere of Asia’s premier club competition, Adriano rarely looked back after finding the net four times on Matchday One against Buriram United – his astute runs, sublime touch and deadly finishing earmarking the Brazilian forward as one to watch wherever he played that year.

Al Hilal defeated Al Fateh 2-1, with Gomis scoring an own goal after having given the reigning AFC Champions League titleholders the lead in the 38th minute from the penalty spot at the King Saud University Stadium.

It was the French striker's 17th goal of the season but he inadvertently allowed Al Fateh back into the match when he deflected the ball into Al Hilal's net following a corner in the 53rd minute.

The former Islamic Republic of Iran national team boss stepped down following Sepahan’s 2-0 Hafzi Cup quarter-final defeat against Esteghlal at Azadi Stadium.

He had held the position since 2018.

In the first edition of Gamechangers – the-AFC.com's new weekly series highlighting great stories within the Asian women’s game – we meet Aidana Otorbaeva, the Kyrgyz Republic international who utilised her standing as a footballer to play a courageous role in the country’s fight against COVID-19.

The vast island nation's Liga 1 top flight features teams from as far northwest as Banda Aceh on Sumatra and as easterly as Jayapura on Papua, while intense rivalries often reach fever pitch.

Below we've selected five teams, based on their success over the years, as Indonesia's most popular clubs. Review the candidates and vote for your favourite at the bottom of the article.

With a selection that is sure to stir up domestic rivalries, we bring you goals from three of the biggest teams in Saudi Arabia and a pair of Japanese giants with moves that were perfected on the training ground before being played out under the floodlights. After reviewing the five teams goals, vote for your favourite at the bottom of the article.

Also check out our previous editions: acrobatic goals, solo goals, volleys, long-range screamers, chips, free-kicks, curlers, saves and flicks, tricks and backheels.