The Asian Game

What do you do when you're frustrated by the football scene around you? Well, you start a football club, of course! This is the inspiring and powerful story of how Budreya Faisal developed a women's football club in the conservative UAE that is challenging the status quo. "We're here to kind of light a fire under everybody, to get moving (and) do something, because the world's interested."

As the second round of Asian Qualifiers nears its conclusion, we take a look at the major talking points ahead of the final few matchdays. Who will emerge victorious between China and Thailand? Will North Korea's forfeit actually work in their favour? Where to for Hong Kong after Jorn Andersen walks away? Plus we talk about the legacy left behind by Indian legend Sunil Chhetri ahead of his final ever international game, and finally we speak with Vancouver Whitecaps' Japanese goalkeeper, Yohei Takaoka on his move to MLS.

Matildas mania has hit the streets of Adelaide as Australia's most popular national team prepares for their first game in the city since 2019. With 53,000 expected at Adelaide Oval for their 13th consecutive sell-out, we speak with veteran defender Clare Polkinghorne about the surge in popularity, while she also reflects on last year's FIFA Women's World Cup. Plus, we hear from Chinese midfielder Shen Mengyu on life under new coach, Ante Milicic, and the celebrations back in Scotland after her Celtic side clinched the Scottish Women's Premier League title on the final day of the season.

The 2023/24 AFC Champions League Final between Yokohama F.Marinos and Al Ain is almost upon us. With Michael in Yokohama for the first leg, we preview both sides and how they stand heading into the first leg. Michael also catches up with John McAuley from The National UAE on the sidelines of F.Marinos training to get the inside view on Al Ain. Plus, we also hear from F.Marinos veteran Ryo Miyaichi ahead of the final.

As the Singapore Premier League prepares for a new season, Ryan Walters is joined by the esteemed Rhysh Roshan Rai to run the rule over this year's competition. Are Lion City Sailors the team to beat? Who else can challenge? Who are the stars to watch? Together they answer those questions and much more.

The final ever #AFCCup Final is almost upon us with Central Coast looking to become just the second side from the ASEAN Zone to lift the prestigious trophy. Ryan Walters is joined once again by Australian broadcaster James Dodd to preview the last-ever AFC Cup Final set to take place on 5 May when Al Ahed host ASEAN Zone champions Central Coast Mariners in Oman. The two discuss the Mariners' run thus far and whether or not lifting the trophy would cement Central Coast as one of the best-ever Australian club sides in history.

After an arduous journey to Bishkek for the first leg of the AFC Cup Inter-Zone Final against Abdysh-Ata, Central Coast Mariners are looking to become the first Australian club to reach the AFC Cup final. Flying the flag for Southeast Asia as the ASEAN Zone champions, the Mariners are hot favourites ahead of the return leg in Gosford. Ryan Walters is joined by A-Leagues broadcaster James Dodd to dissect the opening leg and look ahead to this week's return leg and whether the Mariners can create history for Australian clubs in Asia.

Michael Olunga is many things - a footballer, a role model, a record holder, even a geospacial engineer. The 30-year-old Kenyan has become one of the most prolific strikers in Asia since joining Kashiwa Reysol in 2018, before switching to Qatari giants Al Duhail in January 2021. It was in the Qatari capital where The Asian Game was afforded the chance to sit down one-on-one with Olunga, pitchside at Al Duhail's home ground, the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium. In the latest of our In Conversation With... series, Scott McIntyre sits down for an in-depth chat about his career, the day he smashed a J.League record and World Cup aspirations with Kenya.

Asia's Olympic hopefuls will be decided when the continent's best young talents descend on Qatar in ahead of the AFC U23 Asian Cup. Or will they? We discuss the impact playing the tournament outside of the FIFA international calendar will have on the competition with many big names refused permission to travel by their European clubs. Which nations do we fancy to qualify? Who are the dark horses? And just why was Australian wonderkid Nestory Irankunda not included in the Olyroos squad? PLUS... we look ahead to the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League which will see Al Hilal square off against Al Ain, while Ulsan HD take on Yokohama F.Marinos.

As The Asian Game Podcast returns after a brief post-Asian Cup hiatus, we look back on a busy week of Asian Qualifiers action which produced a plethora of major talking points. We discuss what is going wrong in South Korea, Indonesia's 'naturalisation' push and its wider implications for Asian football, Philippe Troussier's sacking from Vietnam and whether Igor Stimac will survive as Indian coach after a shock loss to Afghanistan. All of that plus much more on a jam packed show.

The ASEAN Game host Ryan Walters sits down for an exclusive interview with Vietnam national team captain and Hanoi FC legend Đỗ Hùng Dũng. Together they talk about his career in #VLeague, the joy of Nguyễn Quang Hải's improving form, mental health, and expectations this season. *Interview recorded by VTVcab

Central Coast Mariners continue to fly the ASEAN flag, getting the better of India's Odisha 4-0 in the AFC Cup Inter-Zone Semi-Final. Up next is a clash with Kyrgyzstan's Abdysh-Ata for a place in the AFC Cup final. Ryan Walters is once again joined by Australian broadcaster James Dodd and Indian journalist Shibajee Das to look back on Central Coast's historic victory.

The gloriously complicated AFC Cup has reached the Inter-Zone Playoff Semi-Finals - otherwise known as the quarter-finals - which will see Australia's Central Coast Mariners fly the ASEAN flag as the ASEAN Zone champions, as they take on South Asian Zone champions Odisha FC of India. Ryan Walters is joined by Indian journalist Shibajee Das to take a look at the Indian outfit and by Australian broadcaster James Dodd to run the rule over the Mariners ahead of the huge clash.

The AFC Asian Cup trophy will remain in Doha after Qatar's 3-1 victory over Jordan on Saturday. In front of more than 86,000 spectators at Lusail Stadium, a hattrick of penalties from Akram Afif secured Qatar a place in history as only the fifth nation to successfully defend their title. Scott McIntyre and Michael Church are in Souq Waqif after the game amid the celebrations to recap the history making victory and reflect on the tournament as a whole as eyes now turn towards 2027.

It's the showpiece event on the Asian football calendar, and finally the AFC Asian Cup final is upon us. Starting from Souq Waqif on the eve of the game, follow Scott McIntyre's journey to Lusail Stadium, from talking to fans desperate for a ticket, to international stars and media alike. Plus, hear all the action from inside Lusail Stadium as Qatar emerged victorious 3-1 to secure an historic title defence.

Jordan has defied all the odds and pre-tournament predictions to make it through to their first ever AFC Asian Cup Final. Can they now complete the fairytale and go all the way? Scott McIntyre speaks with veteran Jordanian journalist, Mahmoud Al-Fadli, to get his perspective ahead of the biggest match in Jordan's history.

On the eve of the AFC Asian Cup Final, Scott McIntyre sits down with Australian and Al Wakrah defender Trent Sainsbury. Trent speaks about Qatar's performances at this AFC Asian Cup, his impressions on the tournament as a whole, and what it's like playing under 'Tintin' Marquez. He also speaks openly about his own Socceroos ambitions and planning for his post-playing career.

Qatar are into their second successive AFC Asian Cup final after Akram Afif inspired a thrilling 3-2 victory over Iran in a drama-packed encounter at the Al Thumama Stadium. The win sees Al Annabi set up a showdown with Jordan in Saturday's final at Lusail Stadium. Scott McIntyre and Michael Church are back at Souq Waqif in among the celebrating Qatari fans to look back on another epic semi-final. PLUS... we hear from Qatari defender Tarek Salman and Iran's Alireza Jahanbakhsh.

Jordan has pulled off one of the AFC Asian Cups greatest upsets with a stunning 2-0 win over Korea Republic to secure their place in the final for the very first time. A masterclass from Mousa Al-Taamari and Yazan Al-Naimat secured the win amid wild scenes at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. Scott McIntyre and Michael Church are in among the celebrating Jordan fans at Souq Waqif to look back on a momentous night for Asian football. PLUS... we hear from Mousa Al-Taamari and Hwang In-beom.

After 48 matches of enthralling drama, the AFC Asian Cup 2023 has reached its penultimate stage, with just four nations remaining as they eye off a spot in Saturday's final. Tournament surprise packets Jordan will face heavyweights Korea Republic, while hosts and defending champions Qatar will tackle the might of Iran. Scott McIntyre is joined by Michael Church on Doha's Corniche to look ahead to the two semi-finals and the four nations involved.