Europe Wrap: Ito wins it for Reims; Fowler fuels City’s title push

Tue, 19 Mar, 2024

Europe Wrap: Ito wins it for Reims; Fowler fuels City’s title push

Kuala Lumpur: Junya Ito came up with a late winner as Reims defeated Metz 2-1 on Saturday while Lee Kang-in also produced a stunning goal in defending champions Paris Saint-Germain’s 6-2 win against Montpellier on Sunday as they inched closer to a third consecutive league title in France. 

Mary Fowler was influential for Manchester City in the Women’s Super League as the Matildas star scored and provided an assist to defeat Brighton & Hove Albion 4-1, while Iraq's Ali Al Hamadi struck a brace for promotion-chasing Ipswich Town in the English second tier. 
 
Hwang In-beom contributed a goal and assist for Red Star Belgrade in Serbia, Iranian striker Ali Alipour was on target in Portugal and Yuito Suzuki bagged a hat-trick in Denmark, so join the-AFC.com as we find out how the Asian stars performed in Europe over the past week. 

Joint Preliminary Qualification - How the groups stand

Mon, 18 Mar, 2024

Joint Preliminary Qualification - How the groups stand

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ returns on Thursday after a four-month break with everything to play for.

The nine group winners and the respective runners-up will advance to the third round of FIFA World Cup qualifying, and at the same time seal their places at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.
 
The other 18 teams from Round 2 will proceed directly to the third and final round of AFC Asian Cup qualifying. 
 
The-AFC.com brings you up to speed with how the groups stand ahead of Thursday's Matchday Three. 

Katanec: Uzbekistan capable of challenging Asia’s best

Fri, 15 Mar, 2024

Katanec: Uzbekistan capable of challenging Asia’s best

Tashkent: Uzbekistan are aiming to carry their momentum from the recent AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ into the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The Central Asian side advanced to the quarter-finals at Qatar 2023 before losing on penalties to the hosts. 

Head coach Srecko Katanec, in a recent interview with the-AFC.com, said he is looking forward to the Qualifiers with Uzbekistan to play a double-header against Hong Kong, China with the Slovenian having called up 20 of the 26 players from the AFC Asian Cup squad. 

East Asia Wrap: Newcomers Machida rise to top; Sangmu edge Jeonbuk

Mon, 18 Mar, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Newcomers Machida rise to top; Sangmu edge Jeonbuk

Hong Kong: Machida Zelvia, who got promoted to the J1 League as the 2023 Japanese second division champions, climbed to the top of the table four games into the campaign when they defeated Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 2-1 at Sapporo Dome on Saturday. 

After scoring twice in a defeat to Ulsan Hyundai last week, Kim Hyeon-ug was again on target for Gimcheon Sangmu on Sunday as they defeated Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 1-0 while reigning champions Ulsan have a one-point lead at the top despite a 3-3 draw with Incheon United. 
 
Kitchee SC moved two points behind leaders Lee Man with a 3-0 win against Sham Shui Po in the Hong Kong Premier League on Sunday while matches also took place in Mongolia, Macau and Guam, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.

ASEAN Wrap: Antonis stunner as City run riot; Buriram through in shootout

Mon, 18 Mar, 2024

ASEAN Wrap: Antonis stunner as City run riot; Buriram through in shootout

Kuala Lumpur: Terry Antonis scored a sensational goal with a strike from the centre circle to seal Melbourne City’s 7-0 win against Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia on Tuesday as last season’s Premiers moved closer to the top six.

Defending champions Buriram United needed a penalty shootout to overcome Uthai Thani on Wednesday and punch their ticket to the quarter-finals of the Thai League Cup while Bangkok United crashed out following a 1-0 defeat to Ratchaburi FC. 
 
Holders Thanh Hoa also made it to the final eight of the National Cup in Vietnam as Le Van Thang struck a hat-trick in their 3-0 win against Phu Dong Ninh Binh and leaders Borneo FC continued their excellent form in Indonesia, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from ASEAN.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Esteghlal keep Persepolis at bay; Mumbai City scale summit

Mon, 18 Mar, 2024

Central & South Asia Wrap: Esteghlal keep Persepolis at bay; Mumbai City scale summit

Tehran:  Esteghlal remain in pole position in the Iran Pro League, maintaining their three-point lead over Persepolis.

In the Indian Super League, Mumbai City went top and FC Goa earned a qualification into the playoffs, while Neftchi Fergana took charge of the Uzbekistan Super League. 

In Turkmenistan, FC Ashgabat closed in on leaders FC Ahal, so join the-AFC.com as we recap all the past week's action from Central and South Asia.

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal extend world record; Al Ansar secure vital win

Sun, 17 Mar, 2024

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal extend world record; Al Ansar secure vital win

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC’s winning run continued unabated with Damac Club the latest team added to their win list as they maintained a huge gap in the Saudi Pro League with a 2-1 win on Saturday.

In Lebanon, Al Ansar SC took all three points in a top of the table clash with Al Seeb SC.

There was also action in Syria, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait and the-AFC.com brings you up to speed with all the results.