LATEST NEWS - VFF

ASEAN Wrap: Nam Dinh crowned Vietnamese champions; JDT win big in FA Cup

Mon, 01 Jul, 2024

ASEAN Wrap: Nam Dinh crowned Vietnamese champions; JDT win big in FA Cup

Kuala Lumpur: Nam Dinh emerged as the Vietnamese champions with one game to spare after they defeated bottom side Khanh Hoa 5-1 on Tuesday, courtesy of a Rafaelson hat-trick, and celebrated their V.League 1 triumph with a 3-1 win against Quang Nam in their final league outing on Sunday. 

Johor Darul Ta’zim all but confirmed a place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup in Malaysia after they posted a 5-0 win against Malaysian University in the quarter-final first leg on Saturday while Terengganu FC, Kuching City and Kedah Darul Aman all have leads to protect going into this week’s return fixtures.
 
In Singapore, leaders Lion City Sailors dropped points for the first time this season letting Tampines Rovers move level on points with them at the top while Kaya FC-Iloilo maintained a one-point lead over Cebu FC in the Philippines, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from ASEAN.

ASEAN Wrap: Shan United secure League Cup; Lion City record statement win

Mon, 24 Jun, 2024

ASEAN Wrap: Shan United secure League Cup; Lion City record statement win

Kuala Lumpur: Ye Yint Aung bagged the only goal of the final as Shan United edged perennial rivals Yangon United 1-0 at Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon on Wednesday to secure the MNL League Cup – their first silverware of the new season after claiming the Myanmar National League title last time around. 

In Singapore, Lion City Sailors made their title intentions clear after posting a huge 7-1 victory against two-time defending champions Albirex Niigata (S) on Sunday, but Tampines Rovers and Geylang International also remain unbeaten in the early stages of the campaign.
 
Heberty’s hat-trick helped Johor Darul Ta’zim defeat Sri Pahang 3-0 and maintain the perfect start to their title defence in Malaysia, while there were also matches taking place in Vietnam and the Philippines, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from ASEAN.

ASEAN Wrap: Maiden cup triumphs for Bangkok, BG Pathum; Leaders Nam Dinh held in Vietnam

Mon, 17 Jun, 2024

ASEAN Wrap: Maiden cup triumphs for Bangkok, BG Pathum; Leaders Nam Dinh held in Vietnam

Kuala Lumpur: Bangkok United got their hands on the Thai FA Cup for the very first time after they edged second division side Dragon Pathumwan Kanchanaburi in a penalty shootout on Saturday, while Teerasil Dangda emerged the hero as BG Pathum United edged Muangthong United 1-0 in the League Cup title clash the following day. 

Nam Dinh saw their lead at the top cut to four points in Vietnam after they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Ho Chi Minh City while second-placed Binh Dinh edged Hoang Anh Gia Lai 1-0 to register their third consecutive win in the V.League 1.
 
In Malaysia, PDRM were knocked out of the FA Cup by lower division side Malaysian University while there were also matches taking place in Singapore and the Philippines, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from ASEAN.

#AFCU20 Qualifiers draw finalised

Thu, 13 Jun, 2024

#AFCU20 Qualifiers draw finalised

Kuala Lumpur: The draw for the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ 2025 Qualifiers concluded at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The 45 teams were divided into 10 groups - five of four each and five of five each - with the Qualifiers to be played between September 21 and 29, 2024.

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

#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.

Group F: Iraq too strong for Vietnam

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Group F: Iraq too strong for Vietnam

Basra: Iraq completed their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group F campaign with a perfect record after defeating Vietnam 3-1 on Tuesday. 

Their dream campaign is a boost for the West Asian side as they look to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Finals for a second time. 

For Vietnam, it was a disappointing end as they finished third in the group behind regional rivals Indonesia, who defeated the Philippines 2-0 to book their spot.

Preview - Group F: Indonesia v Philippines; Iraq v Vietnam

Sun, 09 Jun, 2024

Preview - Group F: Indonesia v Philippines; Iraq v Vietnam

Jakarta: Indonesia will be determined to not slip up when they face Philippines in Group F of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Tuesday.

Sitting in second spot a point ahead of Vietnam, Shin Tae-yong has the opportunity to be the first head coach to guide Indonesia into the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers on top of booking their spot in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals.

Vietnam’s positivity delights Kim

Fri, 07 Jun, 2024

Vietnam’s positivity delights Kim

Hanoi: Kim Sang-sik made a winning start to life as the head coach of Vietnam after his team worked hard to secure a 3-2 win over Philippines in their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group F tie on Thursday.

The thrilling match was tied 2-2 with Pham Tuan Tai emerging Vietnam’s hero with the winning goal in the fifth minute of added time to keep his team in the running for a top two spot, with Kim praising his clinical forwards and general mood in the squad. 

Group F: Vietnam 3-2 Philippines

Mon, 10 Jun, 2024

Group F: Vietnam 3-2 Philippines

Hanoi: Vietnam came back from a goal down to edge the Philippines 3-2 in Group F of their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ match on Thursday.

Pham Tuan Hai scored the winner in second half added time as Vietnam kept their hopes alive, moving within one point of second-placed Indonesia in the standings.

Preview - Group F: Vietnam v Philippines; Indonesia v Iraq

Wed, 05 Jun, 2024

Preview - Group F: Vietnam v Philippines; Indonesia v Iraq

Hanoi: Vietnam will look to revive their fortunes with newly appointed head coach Kim Sang-sik when they host Philippines in their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group F match on Thursday. 

Seeking a win in his first competitive match in charge, Kim called up a familiar squad with the core similar to his predecessor Philippe Troussier but expectations are it will be a different set-up and style on the pitch.

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.

New coaches to chart course

Sun, 02 Jun, 2024

New coaches to chart course

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ will see new faces at the helm of three teams for the final two matchdays on June 6 and 11.

While there were 10 changes for Matchday Three and Four, the concluding rounds will see three teams managed by new or interim coaches.