The Asian Game

On the eve of Uzbekistan's first AFC Women's Asian Cup appearance since 2003, 33-year-old head coach Kotryna Kulbytė has Uzbekistan dreaming big. Speaking exclusively to The Asian Game from their recent camp in Turkiye, the Lithuanian discussed preparations for the tournament, the impact of qualification in Uzbekistan, as well as her own journey in coaching. Be sure to follow The Asian Game on all...

The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 is only days away, and already it's safe to say it will be the biggest and best tournament in its 51-year history. But how transformative will it be, both within Australia and across Asia more broadly? We're joined by freelance journalist Samantha Lewis, and women's football specialist Ann Odong, to discuss a number of important topics, including: Growth of women's f...

From Dreams to Goals returns for 2026 with the AFC Women's Asian Cup now less than three weeks away. As kickoff approaches, there are many issues bubbling away which hosts Gina Bagnulo and Anirudh Nair discuss. Korean players take on their federation over pay and conditions India make a surprise coaching change Iran struggle with preparations The players call for more money Follow Gina Bagnulo on...

The Asian Game Podcast returns for another year and we begin 2026 by looking back and reflecting on the first two decades of Australia's membership of the Asian Football Confederation. In a very frank discussion, we were joined by leading sports executive James Kitching to reflect on those 20 years, and whether Australia has fully capitalised on the opportunity afforded to it when it joined AFC on...

With 2025 drawing to a close, Gina Bagnulo and Anirudh Nair sit down to look back over the biggest stories from 2025 in the world of women's football in Asia. From qualifying for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026, to regional tournaments, the AFC Women's Champions League and player movement, we look at all the big stories and what might lay ahead in 2026. Follow Gina Bagnulo on X:  https://x.com/Gina...

Scott McIntyre and Sudesh Baniya are in Doha after Morocco defeated Jordan 3-2 after extra time to be crowned FIFA Arab Cup champions. Together they discuss Jordan's run to the final, and what it means ahead of their maiden FIFA World Cup appearance in 2026. They also discuss the fortunes of Asia's other World Cup-bound nations, and what can be read into their performances in Qatar. Be sure to fol...

Paul Williams and Michael Church analyse the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026, looking at all nine Asian nations in contention and how friendly, or otherwise, the draw was and assess their chances of progression next year. Plus we hear reaction from Tony Popovic (Australia), Herve Renard (Saudi Arabia) and Fabio Cannavaro (Uzbekistan). Be sure to follow The Asian Game on all our social media...

Gina and Anirudh are back for their monthly round-up of all things women's football in Asia, and they begin by looking at DPR Korea's success at the recent FIFA U17 Women's World Cup. We also discuss India's recent friendlies with Nepal, the sudden change in the FIFA Unites series involving the Afghan Women United, plus look ahead to the action at the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 that is now just a...

Earlier this year FIFPRO Asia/Oceania released a new campaign aimed at targeting the scourge of Anti-Asian racism, shining a light on a subject rarely discussed. The general secretary of FIFPRO Asia/Oceania, Shoko Tsuji, as well as former Japan national team goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima join us for a very special episode where we look at their own experiences with racism, why this report is important...

Ben Harburg made history earlier this year when he became the first foreigner to take ownership of a Saudi Pro League side after his acquisition of little-known Al Kholood. Speaking to The Asian Game Podcast, the 41-year-old US investor talks openly and honestly about why he bought Al Kholood, the perilous state the club was in, his ambition for the future, while he also shares a frank assessment...

It's the issue that continues to dominate and attract headlines and we are joined by Malaysian journalist Haresh Deol to unpack that saga revolving around the eligibility - or otherwise - of the seven naturalised players for Malaysia after FIFA handed down heavy sanctions claiming that their documents were 'doctored'. Plus, we discuss Gianni Infantino's surprise announcement of a new FIFA ASEAN Cu...

Gina Bagnulo and Anirudh Nair are back to look back on the last month of women's football in Asia. After Ashleigh Plumptre's recent interview, they dissect the framing of the article and how western media covers women's football in Saudi Arabia. They discuss the upcoming FIFA Unites Series that will see the Afghan Refugee Team play their first official matches in the UAE in late October, while the...

On a night of high drama in Doha and Jeddah, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have confirmed their place at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in contrasting fashion. Qatar secured their place with a 2-1 win over UAE in a violence-marred clash at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. Our roving reporter, Sudesh Baniya, was there and speaks with internationally renowned journalist James Montague about the match and the drama t...

Sudesh Baniya is LIVE at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha after the UAE kept their FIFA World Cup dream alive with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Oman, taking them to within 90 minutes of their first FIFA World Cup since 1990. We also hear from UAE stars Nicolás Giménez and Caio Canedo as they reflect on an enormous victory. Meanwhile, Michael Church is at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadiu...

On the opening night of the Fourth Round of Asian Qualifiers, Sudesh Baniya is at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha reporting on the 0-0 draw between Qatar and Oman that leaves both teams still in contention heading into their final matches. We also hear from Oman coach Carlos Queiroz to get his reaction. Meanwhile, Michael Church is in Jeddah where Saudi Arabia and Indonesia played out a five-...

So the time has come, almost two years exactly after qualifying started, and after 217 matches and 613 goals, played in front of almost 5 million fans, just six teams remain on the Road to 2026. Just two will advance to next year's FIFA World Cup, to decided over the next week with the Fourth Round of Asian Qualifiers in both Jeddah and Doha. We are joined by Wael Jabir, Sudesh Baniya and Firzie I...

It's that time of the year again, with the AFC Champions League Elite returning for another season of thrilling action. We cast an eye over all the action and answer the burning questions ahead of kickoff: Is the new format a winner? Can anyone stop Saudi dominance? Will Japan's trio of teams provide the biggest challenge? What's behind Korea's dwindling fortunes? SE Asia's burgeoning rivalry betw...

In the first of a new monthly podcast, hosts Gina Bagnulo and Anirudh Nair take you through the latest news from the world of Asian women's football. On this month's show they look back on the preliminary rounds of the AFC Women's Champions League, and discuss the latest transfer news involving a couple of emerging Asian stars. Follow Gina Bagnulo on X:  https://x.com/GinaBagnulo3   Follow Gina Ba...

We are joined by former Australian teen prodigy, and now CEO of Brisbane Roar, Kaz Patafta, for an extensive, in-depth conversation. Across almost one hour, we discuss the state of the A-League, his mission to re-build Brisbane Roar into an Australian powerhouse, engaging with Southeast Asia, working with the Bakrie Group and his own journey in Laos. Be sure to follow The Asian Game on all our soc...

It's one of the biggest signings in the history of MLS, and it is finally official - Son Heung-min has signed for LAFC. Arguably the greatest Korean player of all time, in the city with the largest Korean population outside Korea - it is a match made in heaven. We are joined by Korean journalist, and LA native, Steve Han, to dissect the move and answer all the big questions. Is it a surprise 12 mo...

The official draw for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026, to be held in Australia next year, was staged at the iconic Sydney Town Hall earlier this week. We break down all three groups and take a look at the title threats, the dark horses and the debutants, and asses how they all might fare. Follow Gina Bagnulo on X:  https://x.com/GinaBagnulo3   Follow Gina Bagnulo on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/g...

The final qualifying team has been confirmed, with Iran winning Group A, completing the set of 12 teams to participate in next year's AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia. Hosts Gina Bagnulo and Anirudh Nair dissect all the qualifying groups and run the rule over the teams that will travel to Australia next year and how they might fare. Follow Gina Bagnulo on X:  https://x.com/GinaBagnulo3   Follow...

We (belatedly) celebrate our 250th episode and toot our own horns, before getting into more important matters by discussing the draw for the Fourth Round of Asian Qualifiers. Is it fair? Which group is toughest? Which teams have the best chance? We discuss all of that and more, plus get some reaction from Qatar from Doha News reporter Sudesh Baniya. We also discuss reports of Joachim Low coaching...

Fresh from qualifying India for the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup - the first time on merit in over two decades - Indian women's national team coach Crispin Chettri joins us on From Dreams to Goals. The 50-year-old talks us through the qualification campaign, what this moment can do for women's football in India and even his dreams of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. Follow Gina Bagnul...

As the first edition of the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup comes to a close, we are joined by Gabe Tan from ESPN Asia and Saudi-based content creator, Mohammed Fayad, to look back on the performance of Asia's teams. What does it mean for Saudi football? What did we learn about Asian club football? How can teams improve for next time? Plus, we look at AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifying, discuss S...