ASEAN Wrap: Buriram secure title; Thanh Hoa take charge

Mon, 24 Apr, 2023

ASEAN Wrap: Buriram secure title; Thanh Hoa take charge

Kuala Lumpur: Buriram United sealed their eighth league title in Thailand on Saturday after they defeated Chiangrai United 2-1 while the Thunder Castle also confirmed a place in next month’s Thai FA Cup final as they overcame Port FC earlier in the week. 

In Australia, newly crowned Premiers Melbourne City defeated last season’s champions Western United 3-1 as hat-trick hero Jamie Maclaren broke the A-League goalscoring record while defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim edged PDRM 1-0 to make it nine wins out of nine matches in Malaysia. 
 
Thanh Hoa are the new leaders in Vietnam as defending champions Hanoi FC suffered their first defeat of the season while Tampines Rovers closed in on frontrunners Albirex Niigata (S) in Singapore. There were also matches in the Philippines and Cambodia, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from across ASEAN. 

East Asia Wrap: Marinos down Vissel; Ulsan drop points

Mon, 24 Apr, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Marinos down Vissel; Ulsan drop points

Hong Kong: After a shaky start to their title defence, reigning champions Yokohama F. Marinos have cut the distance to Vissel Kobe at the top of the table to two points after Kevin Muscat’s side posted a thrilling 3-2 come-from-behind victory over the league leaders in Japan on Saturday.

Having begun their campaign with six wins on the bounce, defending champions Ulsan Hyundai dropped points for the second straight outing in Korea Republic when they were held by Pohang Steelers in the East Coast Derby while FC Seoul piled further pressure on Hong Myung-bo’s side by moving three points behind them in second place. 

Shanghai Port and Shanghai Shenhua both posted back-to-back wins in their fledgling league campaigns in China PR while there were also matches taking place in Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and Macau, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from across East Asia.

Maclaren becomes A-League's leading scorer

Sun, 23 Apr, 2023

Maclaren becomes A-League's leading scorer

Melbourne: Melbourne City striker Jamie Maclaren said he felt his decision to return to the A-League had been vindicated after becoming the division’s all-time leading goal scorer with a hat-trick in his side’s 3-1 win over Western United.

Maclaren took his career tally to 143 goals in 201 games on Saturday at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium to surpass Besart Berisha as the A-League most prolific scorer and the 29-year-old former Hibernian forward was delighted to achieve the feat.

Miura makes Oliveirense debut aged 56

Sun, 23 Apr, 2023

Miura makes Oliveirense debut aged 56

Oliveira de Azemeis: Evergreen Japan striker Kazuyoshi Miura created more history on Saturday by making his debut for Portuguese club Oliveirense at the age of 56.

Nicknamed 'King Kazu', Miura joined the second-tier club on loan from Yokohama FC earlier this year and came on in the 90th minute of a 4-1 win against Academico de Viseu.

Al Hilal SFC vs Urawa Red Diamonds: A modern-day rivalry

Fri, 21 Apr, 2023

Al Hilal SFC vs Urawa Red Diamonds: A modern-day rivalry

Kuala Lumpur: The final of the AFC Champions League 2022™ sees Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SFC take on Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds as the sides meet in the showpiece event for the third time in six editions of the tournament. 

In a competition that is split into East and West until the final, it’s unprecedented to see teams from different sides of the continent face off so regularly. But with holders Al Hilal and Urawa continuing to shine in Asia’s most prestigious club competition, the pair have established a rivalry for the ages. 

Test Your #ACL2022 Final Knowledge!

Thu, 20 Apr, 2023

Test Your #ACL2022 Final Knowledge!

Kuala Lumpur: The first leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 Final will be played in Riyadh next Saturday with defending champions Al Hilal SFC of Saudi Arabia hosting Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds. 

The two-leg decider has all the ingredients to be a classic and as the countdown gathers pace, the-AFC.com invites you - the fan - to test your AFC Champions League knowledge of the two sides.