East Asia Wrap: Gangwon draw sends Bluewings down; Sanfrecce pip Urawa

Mon, 04 Dec, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Gangwon draw sends Bluewings down; Sanfrecce pip Urawa

Hong Kong: Four-time champions Suwon Samsung Bluewings were relegated in Korea Republic for the first time in their history after a goalless draw to fellow strugglers Gangwon FC on the final day on Saturday saw them finish bottom and end their 28-year stay in the top division.

In Japan, Sanfrecce Hiroshima qualified for next season’s AFC Champions League™ 2 with a dramatic 1-0 win against Avispa Fukuoka, while Yokohama FC finished last following a 2-1 defeat to Kashima Antlers in their final outing and were relegated to the second tier. 
 
Tainan City FC successfully completed their title defence in Chinese Taipei with two matches to spare while holders Kitchee SC stayed within touching distance of leaders Lee Man FC in Hong Kong, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.

Japanese football great Shinji Ono retires at 44

Mon, 04 Dec, 2023

Japanese football great Shinji Ono retires at 44

Sapporo: Japanese great Shinji Ono retired from football at the age of 44 on Sunday, ending a career that saw him become the first player from his country to win a European club trophy.

Ono was part of the Feyenoord team that beat Borussia Dortmund in the 2002 UEFA Cup final, during a successful four-year stint with the Dutch club.
 
Nicknamed "Genius", Ono made his international debut as an 18-year-old and played for Japan at the FIFA World Cup in France 1998 two months later.

Matchday Six: 5 things to look out for

Sun, 03 Dec, 2023

Matchday Six: 5 things to look out for

Kuala Lumpur: It’s do-or-die time as the group stage of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 has reached its final round of games with all 20 sides in the West set to take to the pitch for the Matchday Six fixtures in the coming days.

Over in the East, meanwhile, only the teams from Group J will face off this week as defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds look to continue their recovery from being on the brink of elimination and increase their chances of advancing to the knockout rounds. 
 
Ahead of the games, the-AFC.com has selected five things to look out for.

Test Your Knowledge - Round 8

Sun, 03 Dec, 2023

Test Your Knowledge - Round 8

Kuala Lumpur: Round 8 of the AFC Asian Cup™ quiz has more challenging questions about the continent's premier national team tournament.

Try it out to see how well versed you - the fans - are as the countdown for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ gathers pace.