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 Uzbekistan, the purpose of the EAFF-E1 Championships, Anderson Lopes' move to Lion City Sailors and ...
Jul 18, 2025•55 min
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 Bagnulo on X: https://x.com/GinaBagnulo3 Follow Gina Bagnulo on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ginabagnulo ...
Jul 14, 2025•30 min
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 Saudi Arabia's performances at the CONCACAF Gold Cup and talk about Kota Takai's move to Tottenham. B...
Jul 09, 2025•48 min
We have our first official qualifier for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026, and it's a nation few would have expected - Bangladesh. Hosts Gina Bagnulo and Anirudh Nair discuss their historic qualification, plus take a look back on all of the other action from this week's matches and look ahead to the final round of matches that will determine which other nations will join Bangladesh in Australia next year. Follow Gina Bagnulo on X: https://x.com/GinaBagnulo3 Follow Gina Bagnulo on IG: https://www.i...
Jul 04, 2025•13 min
Hosts Gina Bagnulo and Anirudh Nair take a look at the state of play after the first two matchdays of qualifying for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026. Which teams have impressed? Who still has work to do? And what might the rest of qualifying have in store? We answer those questions plus many more as we look to decide the final eight teams to qualify for next year's showpiece event. Follow Gina Bagnulo on X: https://x.com/GinaBagnulo3 Follow Gina Bagnulo on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ginabagnul...
Jul 02, 2025•20 min
Following the journey of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers, From Dreams to Goals takes you deep behind the headlines to explore the stories from nations aspiring to qualify for the tournament in Australia next year. Each week From Dreams to Goals will focus on delving deep and telling the story of women's football in countries from Saudi Arabia to India, from Indonesia to Nepal and everywhere in between, talking to players, coaches and journalists to explore the unique story of each country a...
Jun 16, 2025•26 min
After 217 matches and 613 goals, we’ve almost reached the conclusion of FIFA World Cup qualifying for 2026, with just the small matter of the Fourth and the Fifth Rounds to come. We are joined by the founder of Futbol Palestine, Bassil Mikdadi, to dissect the wild and controversial final finish to the Third Round of Asian Qualifiers. Was Palestine robbed? Uzbekistan banish past demons Jordan set for the world stage Has Indonesia lost their identity? The Gulf of Disappointment Plus, we discuss AF...
Jun 14, 2025•1 hr 21 min
Following the journey of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers, From Dreams to Goals takes you deep behind the headlines to explore the stories from nations aspiring to qualify for the tournament in Australia next year. Each week From Dreams to Goals will focus on delving deep and telling the story of women's football in countries from Saudi Arabia to India, from Indonesia to Nepal and everywhere in between, talking to players, coaches and journalists to explore the unique story of each country a...
Jun 09, 2025•21 min
Australia have one foot at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a stunning and dramatic 1-0 win over Japan at Perth Stadium on Thursday night. Aziz Behich's 90th minute screamer broke a 16-year-drought against Japan and ensures Australia's destiny remains in their own hands should Saudi Arabia defeat Bahrain. Paul Williams is in Perth with Japanese journalist Sean Carroll to bring us all the action, while we hear from Firzie Idris in Jakarta, Hassanin Mubarak discusses Graham Arnold's first game in cha...
Jun 05, 2025•47 min
Following the journey of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers, From Dreams to Goals takes you deep behind the headlines to explore the stories from nations aspiring to qualify for the tournament in Australia next year. Each week From Dreams to Goals will focus on delving deep and telling the story of women's football in countries from Saudi Arabia to India, from Indonesia to Nepal and everywhere in between, talking to players, coaches and journalists to explore the unique story of each country a...
May 30, 2025•27 min
Following the journey of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers, From Dreams to Goals takes you deep behind the headlines to explore the stories from nations aspiring to qualify for the tournament in Australia next year. Each week From Dreams to Goals will focus on delving deep and telling the story of women's football in countries from Saudi Arabia to India, from Indonesia to Nepal and everywhere in between, talking to players, coaches and journalists to explore the unique story of each country a...
May 28, 2025•28 min
Ryan Walters and Michael Church bring you pitchside reactions from an unforgettable Shopee Cup Final, where Buriram United and Công An Hà Nội FC played out a thrilling 3-3 draw that went the distance — all the way to a dramatic penalty shootout. From Jason Pendant’s early silky finish to Lucas Crispim’s breathtaking stoppage-time free kick, this match had everything: lead changes, late drama, and extra-time tension aplenty. And just when it seemed like it couldn’t get any more dramatic, 38-year-...
May 23, 2025•9 min
Following the journey of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers, From Dreams to Goals takes you deep behind the headlines to explore the stories from nations aspiring to qualify for the tournament in Australia next year. Each week From Dreams to Goals will focus on delving deep and telling the story of women's football in countries from Saudi Arabia to India, from Indonesia to Nepal and everywhere in between, talking to players, coaches and journalists to explore the unique story of each country a...
May 16, 2025•28 min
We are joined by Rhysh Roshan Rai in Singapore and Sultan Al Ali in Sharjah to look ahead to this weekend's AFC Champions League Two final between Lion City Sailors and Sharjah FC, and look at what the final means for the respective clubs. We also discuss Graham Arnold's shock announcement as the new coach of Iraq, while we also speak with Peter Koo, the general manager of the Cambodian Premier League, to discuss the improvements being made in Cambodian football in recent years. Follow Sultan Al...
May 15, 2025•53 min
Ryan Walters reports from Hanoi where the 2024–25 Shopee Cup Final kicks off with a familiar matchup: Cong An Ha Noi vs. Buriram United - just like on matchday one, when CAHN edged a 2–1 win. With both sides having undergone several changes since then, and Thai superstar Suphanat Mueanta missing for Buriram, this is set to be a different encounter entirely. Hear directly from head coaches Mano Polking and Osmar Loss with their thoughts on squad rotation, what's at stake, and the debate of which ...
May 14, 2025•8 min
Turkmenistan's FK Arkadag are Asian champions after winning the inaugural edition of the AFC Challenge League after defeating Svay Rieng in front of more than 50,000 fans in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. But who are the club from one of Asia's most secretive and reclusive nations? We dip back into the TAG archives to Episode 195 from December 2023 when we spoke with Peter Leonard from Eurasianet, an expert on Central Asian affairs, to learn more about this new club that is sweeping all befo...
May 13, 2025•26 min
Following the journey of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers, From Dreams to Goals takes you deep behind the headlines to explore the stories from nations aspiring to qualify for the tournament in Australia next year. Each week From Dreams to Goals will focus on delving deep and telling the story of women's football in countries from Saudi Arabia to India, from Indonesia to Nepal and everywhere in between, talking to players, coaches and journalists to explore the unique story of each country a...
May 09, 2025•31 min
Al Ahli are the Kings of Asia after a 2-0 win over Kawasaki Frontale in the final of the AFC Champions League Elite in Jeddah. Michael Church reports from the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium just moments after full-time, and we hear from Al Ahli's superstar midfielder Riyad Mahrez who describes his happiness at the win and declared: "We are the best team in Asia!" Be sure to follow The Asian Game on all our social media channels: X: https://twitter.com/TheAsianGame IG: https://instagram.com/th...
May 03, 2025•9 min
Following the journey of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers, From Dreams to Goals takes you deep behind the headlines to explore the stories from nations aspiring to qualify for the tournament in Australia next year. Each week From Dreams to Goals will focus on delving deep and telling the story of women's football in countries from Saudi Arabia to India, from Indonesia to Nepal and everywhere in between, talking to players, coaches and journalists to explore the unique story of each country a...
May 02, 2025•33 min
With the AFC Champions League Elite Final less than 48 hours away, we have you covered with the ultimate preview of Asia's showpiece event. Paul Williams and Michael Church, who is in Jeddah for the tournament, are joined by Sean Carroll from Tokyo, and Mohammed Fayad from Riyadh, to analyse and dissect the two teams - Kawasaki Frontale and Al Ahli - as we look at the tactics that have helped them reach this stage, and the key players likely to decide the outcome. Follow Mohammed Fayad on X: htt...
May 02, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Kawasaki Frontale has produced one of the great upsets in the AFC Champions League Elite by stunning Al Nassr 3-2 in the semi-final. Given little chance by most before the game against a side featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Jhon Duran and Marcelo Brozovic, the Japanese side silenced the home crowd to book their place in the final against Al Ahli. Michael Church reports from the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and speaks with defender Sai van Wermeskerken to get his reaction to their r...
Apr 30, 2025•8 min
On a famous night for Al Ahli, the Jeddah-based club secured their spot in the AFC Champions League Elite Final after a big 3-1 win over Al Hilal. Michael Church reports from the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium after one of the great ACL Elite semi-final matches. PLUS... we hear a few words from goalscorer Ivan Toney after the game. Be sure to follow The Asian Game on all our social media channels: X: https://twitter.com/TheAsianGame IG: https://instagram.com/theasiangame Facebook: https://fac...
Apr 29, 2025•3 min
The final four of this year's AFC Champions League Elite is set after Kawasaki Frontale booked their place with a win over Qatar's Al Sadd. Having taken the lead twice, only to be pegged back, Kawasaki were forced to extra time but a 98th minute strike from Yasuto Wakizaka sealed the deal and sets up an enticing clash with Saudi powerhouse Al Nassr. Michael Church reports from Jeddah after the game and speaks to Frontale goalkeeper Louis Yamaguchi to get his reaction. Be sure to follow The Asian...
Apr 27, 2025•7 min
It was another day of Saudi domination at the AFC Champions League Elite Finals in Jeddah. Michael Church reports from the Saudi city after home side Al Ahli eased their way into a semi-final match up with Al Hilal after disposing of Thai side Buriram United with relative ease. While in the second game of the day, Al Nassr made light work of J.League outfit Yokohama F.Marinos to book their place in the last four. PLUS... we hear from Al Ahli stars Ezgjan Alioski and Roberto Firmino to get their ...
Apr 27, 2025•7 min
The AFC Champions League Elite Finals are underway and it's the four-time Asian champions Al Hilal who have put down an early marker with an emphatic 7-0 demolition of K League side Gwangju FC. Michael Church was at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah to watch all the action and provided this report on a night in which Al Hilal reminded everyone of why they are 'Asia's Leader'. Be sure to follow The Asian Game on all our social media channels: X: https://twitter.com/TheAsianGame IG: ...
Apr 25, 2025•3 min
Gina Bagnulo and Anirudh Nair return with another instalment of From Dreams to Goals and this week they're looking at the history of the AFC Women's Asian Cup and history of women's football in Asia more broadly. From exploring the early tournaments, to unpacking the broader cultural issues facing women's football in Asia, we explore why From Dreams to Goals is important for shining a light on the parts of the women's football ecosystem that are less covered. Follow Gina Bagnulo on X: https://x....
Apr 25, 2025•32 min
All roads lead to Jeddah as Asia's best eight teams converge on the coastal city for a showcase of Asian football. With the continental spotlight on the AFC Champions League Elite over the next two weeks, we have you covered with the ultimate preview. With Michael Church in Jeddah, we discuss all the major talking points including whether the format itself will be a success, the advantage of playing at home for the Saudi sides, why Gwangju might trouble Al Hilal, the importance of Akram Afif to ...
Apr 23, 2025•43 min
Following the journey of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers, From Dreams to Goals takes you deep behind the headlines to explore the stories from nations aspiring to qualify for the tournament in Australia next year. Each week From Dreams to Goals will focus on delving deep and telling the story of women's football in countries from Saudi Arabia to India, from Indonesia to Nepal and everywhere in between, talking to players, coaches and journalists to explore the unique story of each country a...
Apr 18, 2025•35 min
As always, there is never a dull moment in Asian football and Scott McIntyre, Paul Williams and Michael Church are back to look over everything that is happening across the continent. Dhiman Sarkar, a journalist from the Hindustan Times, joins us to talk about Mohun Bagan's dramatic 2-1 win over Bengaluru in the Indian Super League final, plus we discuss the plethora of issues plaguing football in India including the ageless Sunil Chhetri and the future of the Indian Super League. We look at the...
Apr 14, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Following the journey of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers, From Dreams to Goals takes you deep behind the headlines to explore the stories from nations aspiring to qualify for the tournament in Australia next year. Each week From Dreams to Goals will focus on delving deep and telling the story of women's football in countries from Saudi Arabia to India, from Indonesia to Nepal and everywhere in between, talking to players, coaches and journalists to explore the unique story of each country a...
Apr 11, 2025•45 min
