The #ACLElite Round of 16 is here, and we’ve got a thrilling ASEAN Derby on our hands! Domestic powerhouses Buriram United and Johor Darul Ta'zim face off in a two-legged battle for a spot in the Quarter-Finals and some massive regional bragging rights.

With their last meeting ending in a tense 0-0 draw (and a certain red card 👀), how will this high-stakes rematch play out?

Host Ryan Walters is joined by Ta Lao and Keesh Sundaresan to preview this epic clash!

• Thai League making waves—how big is this moment for the region?
• The significance of JDT’s rise—Malaysian football milestone or just JDT dominance?
• The Not-So-ASEAN ASEAN Derby—what does the lack of local talent mean for the region’s football growth?
• Tactical breakdown: JDT’s attacking firepower vs. Buriram’s balance
• Key players and ones to watch

On the eve of their historic quarter-final in the AFC Champions League Two, we are joined by Lion City Sailors' defender Bailey Wright.

The former Socceroos defender talks about becoming a father for the third time, life in his new home of Singapore and the aspiration of his club as they eye domestic and continental success.

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The big news of the week came with confirmation of a joint bid from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan for the 2031 AFC Asian Cup.

With the tournament having never been hosted in Central Asia, there was much fascination and excitement at the prospect of Asia's showpiece event being taken to a new region.

So is Central Asia ready for such an event, and what would it do for football in the region?

We are joined by Uzbekistan Football Association's Muhammad Sodik to answer those questions and many more.

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As the AFC Champions League Elite prepares to enter the knockout rounds, and AFC Champions League Two prepares for a thrilling quarter final stage, we are joined by Emirati journalist Sultan Al-Ali for a full and frank discussion of the AFC's continental competitions.

Has the new League Stage format been a success? Should East & West merge from the beginning? Is Saudi and Japanese dominance a good or bad thing?

Meanwhile in ACL Two, is Shabab Al Ahli versus Sharjah the most anticipated match up of the quarter finals? Are Jeonbuk back? And how impressive have Lion City Sailors been?

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It is a huge show this week with plenty on the agenda from the AFC Champions League, the AFC U20 Asian Cup and bidding for the 2031 AFC Asian Cup.

We're joined by Emirati journalist Sultan Al-Ali to discuss the knockout rounds of both the AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League Two, as well as Australia's success in the AFC U20 Asian Cup.

We also speak with Lion City Sailors defender Bailey Wright about his time in the city-state, and their Asian ambitions.

Finally, we are joined by Muhammad Sodik from Uzbekistan Football Association to discuss the joint bid from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan for the 2031 AFC Asian Cup.

In a special bonus episode, on the eve of the SheBelieves Cup, our resident women's football expert, Alex Bishop, catches up with new Nadeshiko Japan assistant coach, Leah Blayney.

Together they discuss her coaching journey in Australia, her first impression of the Japanese players and the emotion of coming up against Australia in her first game.

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The full crew is back for the first time in 2025 ahead of a bumper year in Asian football, with a feast of football coming our way.

We're joined from Kuala Lumpur by Keeshanan Sundaresan from Stadium Astro to discuss in-depth the new structure around the Malaysian national team, while we also look at Abdukodir Khusanov's move to Manchester City.

Also on the agenda we discuss the return of the AFC Champions League Elite, the upcoming AFC U20 Asian Cup, another big transfer window in Saudi Arabia, headlines by Jhon Duran's move to Saudi Arabia, and look at the return of the J. League this weekend.

02:25 - 29:37: Malaysian national team discussion 29:38 - 36:38: Abdukodir Khusanov to Manchester City 36:39 - 38:38: AFC U20 Asian Cup 38:39 - 43:05: Transfer window heralds new dawn in Saudi Arabia 43:06 - 46:03: AFC Champions League Elite returns 46:04 - 52:20: J. League returns

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The new year is not even a week old and already Asian football has its first bombshell, with the news that Indonesia has sacked head coach Shin Tae-yong.

Despite significant success during his tenure, PSSI chairman Erick Thohir announced on Monday that his five-year reign as coach had come to an end after an evaluation of the national team programme.

Why was the decision made? Is the decision justified? And where do they turn next?

We answer those questions and many more with respected Indonesian journalist Firzie Idris from Kompas.

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In an open and expansive conversation, new DC United midfielder Hosei Kijima sits down with The Asian Game Podcast to discuss his unqiue journey to professional football and why he thinks he wasn't good enough to make it in Japan.

We also discuss the Japan national team, his debut season in MLS, the complexities of identity and his love for modern, progressive coaches.

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The worst kept 'secret' in football has been confirmed: Saudi Arabia will host the FIFA World Cup 2034.

After the announcement from FIFA on Thursday evening, the Kingdom now has ten years to prepare to host football global showpiece; just the third time the FIFA World Cup will be played in Asia after Japan-Korea 2002 and Qatar 2022.

We're joined by Gulf football expert, Wael Jabir, and Arab News sports editor, Ali Khaled, to discuss what this means for Saudi Arabia, the reaction inside the country and the readiness of the country to host the biggest sporting event in the world.

PLUS... we also speak with Japanese midfielder, Hosei Kijima, after his debut season in MLS and discuss his personal journey from Japan to America, and his love of modern, progressive coaches like Ange Postecoglou.