West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal, Al Ittihad continue to sizzle

Mon, 20 Jan, 2025

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal, Al Ittihad continue to sizzle

Jeddah: Al Hilal SFC and Al Ittihad continued their charge for the Saudi Pro League title with commanding wins as Al Nassr Club lost further ground.

There were also matches in Bahrain, Iraq and Kuwait so join the-AFC.com as we review the past week's domestic action across West Asia.

China 2025 cast finalised

Sun, 19 Jan, 2025

China 2025 cast finalised

Kuala Lumpur: The stage is set for the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 following the conclusion of the Qualifiers on Sunday.

Two debutant sides are among the nine qualifiers, who join two-time champions Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan and hosts China PR at the May 6-17 Finals.

Qualifiers - Group C: Australia stay perfect; Uzbekistan, Philippines also through

Sun, 19 Jan, 2025

Qualifiers - Group C: Australia stay perfect; Uzbekistan, Philippines also through

Tashkent: Australia topped Group C of the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 Qualifiers with a 2-1 win against the Philippines on Sunday.

Uzbekistan finished as the runners-up after a 6-2 defeat of Turkmenistan while there was cheer for the Philippines as they sealed a debut appearance at the Finals as the best third-placed side across the four groups. Australia will also be making a first appearance.

Australia finished with a perfect 12 points, while Uzbekistan edged the Philippines on goal difference, with both having accumulated seven points. 

Qualifiers - Group A: Bahrain edge Palestine to advance

Sun, 19 Jan, 2025

Qualifiers - Group A: Bahrain edge Palestine to advance

Nonthaburi: Bahrain booked their place at the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 after they produced a stirring comeback to defeat Palestine 3-1 to advance as the Group A runners-up on Sunday.

Bahrain finished on seven points after an impressive campaign to take their place among Asia’s best at the Finals.

Thailand, meanwhile, concluded their perfect campaign by defeating Lebanon 4-0.

Qualifiers - Group D: Vietnam fight back to pip Chinese Taipei

Sun, 19 Jan, 2025

Qualifiers - Group D: Vietnam fight back to pip Chinese Taipei

Yangon: Vietnam came from behind to hold Chinese Taipei to a thrilling 2-2 draw in their AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup Qualifiers Group D match at the MFF Futsal Indoor Stadium on Sunday.

The stalemate meant Vietnam topped the group ahead of Chinese Taipei on goal difference with both teams completing their respective campaigns with seven points.

Qualifiers - Group B: Indonesia finish top in style

Sun, 19 Jan, 2025

Qualifiers - Group B: Indonesia finish top in style

Yogyakarta: Indonesia topped Group B of the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 Qualifiers with a perfect record after defeating Hong Kong, China 5-0 on Sunday.

Kyrgyz Republic, meanwhile, concluded their campaign with a last gasp 4-3 win against India.

Shanghai Port's Vargas tops #ACLElite MD4 (East) poll

Tue, 21 Jan, 2025

Shanghai Port's Vargas tops #ACLElite MD4 (East) poll

Kuala Lumpur: Matias Vargas's strike has been voted as the best goal of Matchday 4 of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 (East).

The left winger, whose has since moved to Saudi Pro League side Al Fateh SC, scored for Shanghai Port in the 83rd minute of their clash against Japan's Kawasaki Frontale.

As Vargas moves into the semi-finals, don't forget to cast your vote for the West Zone's best goal of Matchday 5, with polling to begin on Wednesday.

Japan great Yoshida extends LA Galaxy stay

Sun, 19 Jan, 2025

Japan great Yoshida extends LA Galaxy stay

Los Angeles: Former Japan captain Maya Yoshida has signed a two-year contract extension with LA Galaxy, the American club confirmed on Saturday.

Yoshida, who played all but 24 minutes of the Galaxy's 2024 regular-season matches, joined the Major League Soccer side late in the 2023 campaign and captained them to the MLS Cup in December.

#ACLElite - Al Wasl's Perez tops MD4 (West) best goal poll

Sat, 18 Jan, 2025

#ACLElite - Al Wasl's Perez tops MD4 (West) best goal poll

Kuala Lumpur: Alexis Perez topped the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 West Zone's Matchday 4 best goals poll with 41 percent of the votes.

Perez's strike for UAE's Al Wasl Club against Al Sadd SC of Qatar takes him into the semi-finals.

Don't forget to cast your vote for the East Zone best goal of Matchday 4 with polling to start on Sunday.

Qualifiers - Group C: Turkmenistan 4-3 Kuwait; Australia 3-1 Uzbekistan

Fri, 17 Jan, 2025

Qualifiers - Group C: Turkmenistan 4-3 Kuwait; Australia 3-1 Uzbekistan

Tashkent: Australia showed grit as they came from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in their AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 Qualifiers Group C tie on Friday, with victory confirming Australia’s ticket to the Finals.

In the earlier match, Turkmenistan defeated Kuwait 4-3 for the first win of their campaign.