The Asian Game

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 social media channels: X: https://twitter.com/TheAsianGame IG: https://instagram.com/theasiangame Facebook: https://facebook.com/TheAsianGamePodcast 

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 months out from the FIFA World Cup? What does this mean for the city and people of LA? What is his legacy at Tottenham? Where does he fit in this LAFC side? 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://facebook.com/TheAsianGamePodcast   

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/ginabagnulo  Follow Anirudh Nair on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annie_rude_ 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://facebook.com/TheAsianGamePodcast   

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 Gina Bagnulo on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ginabagnulo  Follow Anirudh Nair on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annie_rude_ 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://facebook.com/TheAsianGamePodcast 

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 the mess surrounding the Indian Super League. 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://facebook.com/TheAsianGamePodcast 

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  Follow Anirudh Nair on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annie_rude_ 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://facebook.com/TheAsianGamePodcast   

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. 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://facebook.com/TheAsianGamePodcast 

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.instagram.com/ginabagnulo  Follow Anirudh Nair on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annie_rude_ 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://facebook.com/TheAsianGamePodcast 

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/ginabagnulo  Follow Anirudh Nair on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annie_rude_ 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://facebook.com/TheAsianGamePodcast 

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 as they drive forward on the road to the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026. This week we focus on Jordan, the host of the AFC Women's Asian Cup in 2018. How did hosting the tournament - the first Arab nation to do so - help the growth of women's football in the country and how far can the team go in qualifying for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026? We are joined by former Jordan Football Association board member, Rana Husseini, to discuss those topics and much more. Follow Claudia Scheunemann on X: https://x.com/Rana_Husseini  Follow Gina Bagnulo on X: https://x.com/GinaBagnulo3  Follow Gina Bagnulo on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ginabagnulo  Follow Anirudh Nair on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annie_rude_ 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://facebook.com/TheAsianGamePodcast 

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 AFC Asian Cup qualification and Malaysia's statement win over Vietnam, as well as look ahead to the start of the FIFA Club World Cup and what to expect from Asia's quartet - Al Hilal, Al Ain, Ulsan HD and Urawa Reds.

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 as they drive forward on the road to the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026. This week we focus on Indonesia, a nation obsessed with football where women's football is still in a slumber. Despite their players being major celebrities with hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, the game still struggles with it being one of the very few nations without a domestic women's league. We are joined by one of the superstars of the side, 16-year-old Claudia Scheunemann, for a chat about football, fandom and the future. Follow Claudia Scheunemann on IG: https://www.instagram.com/c.a.scheunemann  Follow Gina Bagnulo on X: https://x.com/GinaBagnulo3  Follow Gina Bagnulo on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ginabagnulo  Follow Anirudh Nair on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annie_rude_ 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://facebook.com/TheAsianGamePodcast 

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 charge of Iraq, while Sultan Al Ali talks about the impact Cosmin Olaroiu can have on the UAE. 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://facebook.com/TheAsianGamePodcast 

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 as they drive forward on the road to the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026. This week we focus on India, the host of the most recent edition of the AFC Women's Asian Cup. Despite hosting the tournament, women's football remains a work in progress in the world's most populous nation. But what growth has there been and what are the roadblocks standing in their way? We are joined by Hindustan Times journalist Dhiman Sarkar to discuss those topics and much more. Follow Dhiman Sarkar on X: https://x.com/DhimanHT  Follow Gina Bagnulo on X: https://x.com/GinaBagnulo3  Follow Gina Bagnulo on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ginabagnulo  Follow Anirudh Nair on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annie_rude_ 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://facebook.com/TheAsianGamePodcast 

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 as they drive forward on the road to the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026. This week we explore the impact that Australia's hosting of the AFC Women's Asian Cup can have on the tournament, especially on the back of the successful hosting of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. To discuss this we are joined by London-based Australian journalist Jamie Spangher. Follow Jamie Spangher on X: https://x.com/jamiespangher  Follow Jamie Spangher on IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamiespangherjourno/  Follow Gina Bagnulo on X: https://x.com/GinaBagnulo3  Follow Gina Bagnulo on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ginabagnulo  Follow Anirudh Nair on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annie_rude_ 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://facebook.com/TheAsianGamePodcast 

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-old Chatchai Bootprom stepped up with three heroic saves in the shootout to crown Buriram the inaugural Shopee Cup champions. Tune in as Ryan and Michael break down the key moments, emotional swings, and electric atmosphere from one of Southeast Asia’s most memorable Finals!

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 as they drive forward on the road to the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026. This week we focus on the Kyrgyz Republic, and the wider Central Asian region, which of course will host the next edition of the tournament in Uzbekistan in 2029. We are joined by Nuraiym Alymkulova, the Executive Director of the Women's Football Association of Kyrgyz Republic, to discuss the development of women's football in the country and across Central Asia more broadly. Follow Gina Bagnulo on X: https://x.com/GinaBagnulo3  Follow Gina Bagnulo on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ginabagnulo  Follow Anirudh Nair on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annie_rude_ 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://facebook.com/TheAsianGamePodcast 

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 Ali on X: https://x.com/Sul6anAlAli  Follow Sultan Al Ali on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sul6analali_/  Follow Rhysh Roshan Rai on X: https://x.com/RhyshRai  Follow Rhysh Roshan Rai on IG: https://www.instagram.com/rhyshrai/  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://facebook.com/TheAsianGamePodcast 

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 side has the advantage in this two-legged Final. It's another Vietnam vs Thailand showdown for regional glory with the first-ever Shopee Cup title on the line! Catch the post-match breakdown on The Asian Game socials. Follow Ryan on X: https://x.com/MrRyanWalters  Follow Shopee Cup on X: https://x.com/aseanutdfc  Be sure to follow The Asian Game on all our social media channels: X: https://x.com/TheAsianGame  IG: https://instagram.com/theasiangame Facebook: https://facebook.com/TheAsianGamePodcast 

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 before it. 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://facebook.com/TheAsianGamePodcast