LATEST NEWS - AFM

Singapore on cloud nine after Macau win

Wed, 17 Jul, 2024

Singapore on cloud nine after Macau win

Singapore: Danelle Tan and Putri Syaliza led the charge as Singapore cruised to a 9-0 win over Macau in an international friendly at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Tuesday.

Borussia Dortmund’s Tan starred with a hat-trick while Putri, who plays for Oakland University in the United States, grabbed a brace as Singapore registered their biggest ever victory since their 6-0 win over Maldives in 2007.

East Asia Wrap: Benfica crowned champions of Macau; Shenhua in hot pursuit of Port

Mon, 15 Jul, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Benfica crowned champions of Macau; Shenhua in hot pursuit of Port

Hong Kong: Benfica secured their sixth league title, and a first since 2018, in Macau after they defeated Cheng Fung 3-0 in the championship series of Liga de Elite on Saturday and took an unassailable seven-point lead over last season’s winners C.P.K.

Wu Lei took his tally to 21 goals for the season with another double as reigning champions Shanghai Port defeated Beijing FC 5-1 on Friday and maintained their two-point lead at the summit in China PR but second-placed Shanghai Shenhua, also unbeaten this season, kept up the chase with a 3-2 win against Changchun Yatai. 

After suffering defeats during the midweek, Gimcheon Sangmu and Ulsan Hyundai – the top two in Korea Republic – bounced back with victories at the weekend while there were also matches taking place in Japan and Guam, so join the-AFC.com as we look back at last week’s action from across East Asia.

East Asia Wrap: Gamba down Marinos; Gangwon inch closer to top

Mon, 08 Jul, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Gamba down Marinos; Gangwon inch closer to top

Hong Kong: Gamba Osaka posted a 4-0 win against Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday and moved level with Kashima Antlers as the duo continue to put pressure on leaders Machida Zelvia while reigning champions Vissel Kobe sit six points from the top as the title race heats up in Japan. 

Only three points separate the top four in Korea Republic as leaders Gimcheon Sangmu, defending champions Ulsan Hyundai and Pohang Steelers all dropped points during the week, allowing fourth-placed Gangwon to move closer to the summit by defeating Gwangju 2-0 on Sunday.

Shanghai Shenhua registered a resounding 6-0 win against Shandong Taishan to remain within touching distance of leaders Shanghai Port in China PR while there were also matches taking place in Mongolia and Macau, so join the-AFC.com as we look back at last week’s action from across East Asia.

East Asia Wrap: Sangmu lead as Ulsan beaten in derby; Wu treble in Port win

Mon, 01 Jul, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Sangmu lead as Ulsan beaten in derby; Wu treble in Port win

Hong Kong: The lead changed hands in Korea Republic for the third time in six matchdays with Gimcheon Sangmu emerging as the frontrunners after they beat Daegu FC 2-0 on Saturday and holders Ulsan Hyundai went down 2-1 to Pohang Steelers in the East Coast Derby on Sunday.

Wu Lei continues to score goals for fun in China PR as his hat-trick helped defending champions Shanghai Port preserve their two-point lead over rivals Shanghai Shenhua at the top following a 3-1 defeat of Zhejiang FC while Shandong Taishan suffered a 2-0 loss at the hands of Beijing FC on Sunday. 

Machida Zeliva’s lead in Japan increased to five points after a crucial 3-1 victory against Gamba Osaka while there were also matches taking place in Mongolia, Chinese Taipei, Macau and Guam, so join the-AFC.com as we look back at last week’s action from across East Asia.

East Asia Wrap: Falcons are Mongolian champions; Gamba overcome Vissel

Mon, 24 Jun, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Falcons are Mongolian champions; Gamba overcome Vissel

Hong Kong: SP Falcons confirmed their first-ever league title in Mongolia after they overcame Khoromkhon 6-2 on Saturday, thereby also punching their ticket for the inaugural AFC Challenge League™ (ACGL) – the group stage of which is slated to kick off on October 26. 

In Japan, reigning champions Vissel Kobe suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of red-hot Gamba Osaka, who moved within two points of the top where Machida Zelvia have a two-point advantage despite settling for a goalless draw against Avispa Fukuoka on Saturday. 

Ulsan Hyundai edged Jeju United in a closely contested encounter to preserve their two-point lead in Korea Republic while there were also matches taking place in China PR, Chinese Taipei and Macau, so join the-AFC.com as we look back at last week’s action from across East Asia.

East Asia Wrap: Gangwon stay red-hot; Zelvia open up lead in Japan

Mon, 17 Jun, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Gangwon stay red-hot; Zelvia open up lead in Japan

Hong Kong: Gangwon FC recorded their fifth successive win in K League 1 after they defeated Suwon FC 3-1 on Saturday to move one point behind defending champions and leaders Ulsan Hyundai who continued their struggles, dropping points for the fifth time in last seven matches. 

In Japan, Machida Zelvia established a two-point lead at the top of the J1 League standings with an impressive 3-1 win against Yokohama F. Marinos while second-placed Kashima Antlers slipped up in a stalemate with 15th-placed Albirex Niigata on Sunday.

Leaders Shanghai Shenhua were held to a draw by Chengdu Rongcheng presenting defending champions Shanghai Port with a chance to go top in China PR, while matches also took place in Mongolia, Chinese Taipei, Macau and Guam, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.

#AFCU17 Qualifying groups decided

Thu, 13 Jun, 2024

#AFCU17 Qualifying groups decided

Kuala Lumpur: The draw for the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ 2025 Qualifiers was finalised at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The 43 teams were divided into 10 groups - seven of four each and three of five - with the Qualifiers to be played between October 19 and 27, 2024.

The 10 group winners and five best second-placed teams will advance to the Finals, with Saudi Arabia scheduled to host the tournament.

East Asia & ASEAN Wrap: Persib lift league title after a decade; Eastern win FA Cup

Mon, 03 Jun, 2024

East Asia & ASEAN Wrap: Persib lift league title after a decade; Eastern win FA Cup

Kuala Lumpur: Persib Bandung registered a 3-1 win over Madura United in the second leg of the Liga 1 final on Friday to complete a comprehensive 6-1 win on aggregate and in the process clinched their first league title since 2014.

In Hong Kong, Eastern SC saw off Sham Shui Po 3-2 in the FA Cup final after a thrilling period of extra-time action at the Mong Kok Stadium with Noah Baffoe emerging as their hero.

AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 runners-up Yokohama F. Marinos suffered defeat at the hands of Kashima Antlers in the J1 League while a last-gasp Ataru Esaka winner helped Ulsan Hyundai beat bitter rivals Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in K League 1 with matches also taking place in Vietnam, the Philippines, Mongolia, Guam, Macau and Northern Mariana Islands.

Join the-AFC.com as we recap all the domestic action from last week across East Asia and ASEAN.

East Asia Wrap: Lee Man win first-ever league title; Ulsan beaten again

Mon, 20 May, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Lee Man win first-ever league title; Ulsan beaten again

Hong Kong: Lee Man FC emerged as the champions of Hong Kong for the first time as a 6-1 win against Sham Shui Po on Sunday gave them an unassailable lead over Kitchee SC, who were also beaten in the Sapling Cup final by Hong Kong Rangers earlier in the week.

Defending champions Ulsan Hyundai suffered another defeat in Korea Republic following a 1-0 loss to Gangwon while leaders Pohang Steelers were beaten by Suwon FC allowing Gimcheon Sangmu to move joint-top of the standings following their win over Jeju United.

It was an underwhelming week for holders Vissel Kobe in Japan too as they were beaten 1-0 by Kashima Antlers while matches also took place in China PR, Mongolia, Chinese Taipei and Macau, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.

East Asia Wrap: Vissel back on top; Port pile pressure on Shenhua

Mon, 13 May, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Vissel back on top; Port pile pressure on Shenhua

Hong Kong: Reigning champions Vissel Kobe returned to the top of the table in Japan following a 4-1 win against Cerezo Osaka on Saturday, but Takayuki Yoshida’s side continue to face fierce competition from Machida Zelvia who remain level on points with the leaders despite a draw with Shonan Bellmare. 

In China PR, Wu Lei scored his 11th and 12th goals of the season to help defending champions Shanghai Port defeat Changchun Yatai 5-2 on Friday and move three points behind league leaders Shanghai Shenhua, who were held goalless by Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, with a game in hand. 
 
Honours were even between defending champions Ulsan Hyundai and challengers Gimcheon Sangmu in Korea Republic while matches also took place in Chinese Taipei, Mongolia, Macau, and Hong Kong, China, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.

Playoffs draw finalised

Thu, 09 May, 2024

Playoffs draw finalised

Kuala Lumpur: The six teams in playoffs for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round learnt their opponents following the official draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The three winners from the match-ups will join Bhutan, Maldives and Laos, who punched their tickets to the Qualifiers Final Round as the three best-ranked losing teams from the Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1, alongside 18 teams (all third and fourth-placed teams from across nine groups) from Round 2. 

East Asia Wrap: Pohang remain top with late win; Shenhua stay clear of Port

Mon, 06 May, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Pohang remain top with late win; Shenhua stay clear of Port

Hong Kong: Pohang Steelers maintained a one-point advantage at the top of the K League 1 with a last-gasp 1-0 victory against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors as defending champions Ulsan Hyundai continued to put pressure on the leaders with a dramatic late win against FC Seoul on Saturday.

Shanghai Shenhua stayed five points clear in the Chinese Super League after a 4–0 defeat of Zhejiang FC as their city rivals and reigning champions Shanghai Port registered a resounding 6-0 victory against Shenzhen Peng City on Sunday.
 
Vissel Kobe got their title defence back on track in Japan after they overcame Nagoya Grampus 2-0 on Friday while matches also took place in Hong Kong, Mongolia, Chinese Taipei and Macau, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.