Domestic Leagues
Paro FC and Muras United consolidated their respective pole positions in Bhutan and Kyrgyz Republic while the leagues in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan played their last matches before a three-week break.
Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.
India: NorthEast end Diamond Harbour’s Durand Cup fairytale
NorthEast United FC ended Diamond Harbour FC’s giant-killing run in the Durand Cup 2025 after winning the final 6-1 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
Six different players found the back of the net for NorthEast, who became the first team since East Bengal FC in 1991 to defend their title. Their star striker, Alaeddine Ajaraie, who converted a penalty three minutes into stoppage time for their final goal, also emerged the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals from six matches.
In the semi-finals, Diamond Harbour pulled off a second upset when they defeated 16-time champions East Bengal 2-1. The I-League club had defeated ISL side Jamshedpur FC 2-0 in the quarter-finals.
NorthEast made the final with a 1-0 win over Shillong Lajong FC, another I-League side.
Bhutan: Paro stick to winning ways
Evans Asante struck in the 87th minute against Tensung to ensure Paro FC’s winning streak in the Bhutan Premier League remained intact.
The 1-0 result gave the defending champions their 11th straight win and a maximum 33 points, three clear of Thimphu City, who beat Southern City 3-0. Thimphu, however, have played two more matches.
Southern had earlier lost 3-1 to RTC, who then went on to defeat Tsirang 2-0 to move into third. Ugyen Academy, meanwhile, beat Samtse 3-0.
Kyrgyz Republic: Muras extend lead
Muras United handed 12th-placed Ilbirs Bishkek FC a 4-1 beating to stay at the top of the Kyrgyz Republic Premier League.
United, who have yet to win the title since being formed in 2023, are on 41 points from 17 matches, six clear of defending champions FC Abdysh-Ata.
The only other match of the week saw Oshmu-Aldier beat Ozgon 1-0.
Uzbekistan: Norchaev wins it for Nasaf
Khusayin Norchaev struck a brace in the 57th and 61st minutes to give leaders FC Nasaf a 2-1 win over FC Surkhon in the Uzbekistan Super League.
The result ensured the defending champions, on 43 points, remained one clear of chasing Neftchi Fergana, who beat FC Mash'al 3-0.
Ljupche Doriev converted a penalty six minutes into stoppage time to give Sogdiana a 1-1 draw with Dinamo Samarkand, who had maintained their lead from the 29th minute through Mahmudjon Mahamadjonov.
FC AGMK defeated Khorezm Urgench 3-1 to move one up to fourth while Pakhtakor moved to fifth with a 6-2 defeat of Adijian. Both sides had men sent off during the match.
In other matches, Khorezm Urgench lost 1-0 to Qizilqum Zarafshon while Kokand 1912 fell to Buxuro by a similar scoreline.
Qizilqum Zarafshon and Bunyodkor played out a 1-1 stalemate while FC Shurtan’s Pulatkhuzha Kholdorkhonov struck in the sixth minute of added time at the end of the second half to give his side a 3-3 draw with Navbahor Namangan.
Tajikistan: Istiklol draw closer to Dushanbe
A 22nd-minute penalty by Siavash Haghnazari was enough to give FC Istiklol a 1-0 win over bottom side Pandzhsher Dzhaloliddin in the Tajik League and move them within a point of CSKA Dushanbe.
Dushanbe, who saw their six-match winning streak end with a 0-0 draw with Barkchi Hisor, top the table with 31 points from 15 games. Defending champions Istiklol have a match in hand.
Vakhsh Bokhtar are also on 30 points from 14 matches after a 1-0 win over Hosilot Farxor while Ravshan remained in fourth after a 0-0 result with Regar Tadaz Tursunzade.
Other matches saw Kulob Istaravshan and Khujand draw 1-1 while the tie between Eskhata Khujand and FC Hulbuk ended with the same scoreline.
Turkmenistan: Arkadag on another scoring spree
Leaders FC Arkadag strolled to their 19th consecutive Yokary Liga win this season after beating Sagadan 4-1.
The defending champions are on maximum points, 25 clear of FC Ahal who managed a 0-0 stalemate with Altyn Asar. Ahal have three matches in hand.
Arkadag have scored 81 goals in all their matches, including 7-0 wins against FK Merw and FC Ashgabat and an 8-1 mauling of Nebitchi Balkanabat.
Their striker Begenç Akmämmedow is the league’s leading scorer with 17 goals while teammates Didar Durdyýew and Altymyrat Annadurdyýew are in second and third with 16 and 13 goals respectively.
Ashgabat beat Kopetdag Ashgabat 1-0 while Nebitchi Balkanabat defeated Merw by a similar scoreline.
Photo: NorthEast United FC
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