Europe Wrap: Asia’s stars continue to rack up silverware overseas

Tue, 04 Jun, 2024

Europe Wrap: Asia’s stars continue to rack up silverware overseas

Kuala Lumpur: The 2023/24 season was another trophy-laden campaign for Asian stars in Europe – from Hinata Miyazawa winning a historic Women’s FA Cup in England to Lee Kang-in winning a double with Paris Saint-Germain in France and Koki Machida hitting the winner in the Belgian Cup final to end a 110-year wait for Union SG. 

Japanese duo Moeka Minami and Saki Kumagai completed the double in Italy with AS Roma while Thailand's Suphanat Mueanta and Nepal's Sabitra Bhandari created history by becoming the first from their countries to score in the Belgian and French leagues respectively. 

It was also a time for goodbyes as Makoto Hasebe, one of the stalwarts of Asian football, hung up his boots after a 14-year stay in Germany's Bundesliga while Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi lifted the cup in his last game for FC Porto, so join the-AFC.com as we review how Asian stars performed across Europe this season. 

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.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Persepolis retain crown; Bashundhara finish in style

Mon, 03 Jun, 2024

Central & South Asia Wrap: Persepolis retain crown; Bashundhara finish in style

Tehran: Persepolis were crowned champions of the Iran Pro League for the second consecutive year, while Bobur Abdikholikov’s hat-trick propelled Nasaf to the top of the table in Uzbekistan.

Bashundhara Kings finished their Bangladesh Football Premier League season in style, while there was no stopping CSKA Dushanbe in the Tajik League.

The-AFC.com recaps the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.

West Asia Wrap: Al Shorta nudge further ahead; Al Ain suffer defeat

Mon, 03 Jun, 2024

West Asia Wrap: Al Shorta nudge further ahead; Al Ain suffer defeat

Doha: Al Shorta are well-placed to retain the Iraq Stars League title after moving seven points clear at the top of the standings.

Newly-crowned AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 winners Al Ain suffered defeat in the UAE Pro League while the season concluded in Kuwait.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how the past week's domestic action unfolded across West Asia.

Japan fight back to defeat New Zealand

Tue, 04 Jun, 2024

Japan fight back to defeat New Zealand

Murcia: Japan earned their second win over New Zealand in three days after a 4-1 success in an international friendly played in Spain on Monday.

The victory followed a 2-0 win on Friday as Futoshi Ikeda’s side continued their preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, with Japan to face world champions Spain in their opening clash on July 25.

Vote for your #ACL 2023-24 Magic Moment

Mon, 03 Jun, 2024

Vote for your #ACL 2023-24 Magic Moment

Kuala Lumpur: The final edition of the AFC Champions League™ in its current format came to a conclusion on May 25 when Al Ain defeated Yokohama F. Marinos in the second leg of this season’s final. 

It has been a season like no other with global superstars debuting in the continental competition which as usual delivered outstanding moments over the course of the season. 

After the conclusion of another thrilling edition, the-AFC.com picks the Magic Moments and asks you, the fans, to cast your vote for the favourite. 

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.

#AsianQualifiers: How it stands

Thu, 30 May, 2024

#AsianQualifiers: How it stands

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualifiers – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ returns for the final two matchdays with still much to play for.

While several teams have already booked their spots in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals, numerous sides need results on the final two matchdays to earn their berths.

The-AFC.com takes a look at how the groups stand ahead of Matchday Five on June 6.

#AsianQualifiers - Facts & Figures

Fri, 31 May, 2024

#AsianQualifiers - Facts & Figures

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ will conclude in the coming days with Matchdays Five and Six to be played on June 6 & 11.

Much is at stake and the action promises to be thrilling so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at some interesting facts and figures ahead of the final two rounds of matches.

Australia squad for Paris challenge named

Tue, 04 Jun, 2024

Australia squad for Paris challenge named

Sydney: Steph Catley will lead Australia's charge at the Olympics with head coach Tony Gustavsson naming an exciting 18-player squad on Tuesday for the 2024 Games which kick off next month.

The notable omission was Sam Kerr, with the Chelsea striker still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in January.