Gamechangers: Aidana Otorbaeva, a different type of football hero

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Gamechangers: Aidana Otorbaeva, a different type of football hero

Bishkek: International footballers are often framed as heroes who give every ounce of energy for their country, but few players fit the description in such a literal sense.

In the first edition of Gamechangers – the-AFC.com's new weekly series highlighting great stories within the Asian women’s game – we meet Aidana Otorbaeva, the Kyrgyz Republic international who utilised her standing as a footballer to play a courageous role in the country’s fight against COVID-19.

ASEAN Wrap: Diamanti shines in eight-goal thriller

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

ASEAN Wrap: Diamanti shines in eight-goal thriller

Kuala Lumpur: New boys Western United took a big step towards a place in Australia's Final Series with an action-packed win over 2014 AFC Champions League winners Western Sydney Wanderers over the weekend.

Elsewhere, there was a battle of the Thai stars in Japan, while the Cambodian and Laotian leagues once again brought the goals and excitement in Southeast Asia's domestic championships.

So join the-AFC.com as we review the best of the ASEAN action from the weekend.

East Asia Wrap: Jeonbuk close gap on Ulsan

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

East Asia Wrap: Jeonbuk close gap on Ulsan

Kuala Lumpur: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors capitalised on rare dropped points by Ulsan Hyundai to move within touching distance of their title rivals at the top of Korea Republic's K League 1 over the weekend. 

In Japan, Kawasaki Frontale continued their incredible run of form with their eighth successive win since the J1 League resumed, while defending Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande suffered their first defeat of the season after going down to Shandong Luneng.

After six wins on the bounce, the Mongolian Premier League leaders Khangarid also lost for the first time this campaign and the title race in Chinese Taipei is becoming more exciting by the week, so join the-AFC.com as we review the best of the action across East Asia.

West Asia Wrap: Title race goes down to the wire in Qatar, Al Wehdat set early marker in Jordan

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

West Asia Wrap: Title race goes down to the wire in Qatar, Al Wehdat set early marker in Jordan

Doha: The race for the Qatar Stars League (QSL) title will go down to the final two matchdays while Al Wehdat stayed perfect in the Jordan Premier League over the weekend.

Al Hilal SFC, meanwhile, will aim to consolidate their grip on the Saudi Pro League title when they go up against Al Fateh on Monday.

Join the-AFC.com as we review the weekend's action in various West Asian leagues.

Son, Jahanbakhsh in the running for Premier League Goal of the Season

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Son, Jahanbakhsh in the running for Premier League Goal of the Season

Kuala Lumpur: Son Heung-min's wonder strike against Burnley and Alireza Jahanbakhsh's bicycle kick effort Brighton are among the nine goals shortlisted for the English Premier League 2019-20 Goal of the Season award.

Votes for the Goal of the Season can be cast on the Premier League website. Polling closes on Monday at UTC 17:00.

The most popular football clubs: Indonesia

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

The most popular football clubs: Indonesia

Jakarta: Few places in the world can match the passion for football held by fans in Indonesia, where stadiums are regularly packed to the rafters to cheer on the Southeast Asian country's top sides.

The vast island nation's Liga 1 top flight features teams from as far northwest as Banda Aceh on Sumatra and as easterly as Jayapura on Papua, while intense rivalries often reach fever pitch.

Below we've selected five teams, based on their success over the years, as Indonesia's most popular clubs. Review the candidates and vote for your favourite at the bottom of the article.

5 of the Best: Team goals

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

5 of the Best: Team goals

Kuala Lumpur: The-AFC.com's '5 of the Best' spotlight returns to AFC Champions League action this week as we highlight goals that are far more about the collective than the individual.

With a selection that is sure to stir up domestic rivalries, we bring you goals from three of the biggest teams in Saudi Arabia and a pair of Japanese giants with moves that were perfected on the training ground before being played out under the floodlights. After reviewing the five teams goals, vote for your favourite at the bottom of the article.

Also check out our previous editions: acrobatic goals, solo goals, volleys, long-range screamers, chips, free-kicks, curlers, saves and flicks, tricks and backheels.