Central & South Asia Roundup: Alga Bishkek Extend Unbeaten Start, Durand Cup Underway

The latest round of domestic league action across Central and South Asia has brought notable storylines, with Kyrgyz side Alga Bishkek maintaining an unbeaten record and India’s Durand Cup tournament beginning its latest edition. The Asian Football Confederation’s weekly wrap highlights the key movements in leagues that often fly under the global radar but offer competitive football with passionate local followings.

Alga Bishkek continue unbeaten run

Alga Bishkek, five-time champions of the Kyrgyz Premier League, remain unbeaten in the current season. The club, which last won the title in 2002, has shown consistent form in the early stages of the campaign. Their strong start positions them as early contenders to end a long championship drought. The league, though relatively small in global profile, is a key part of Central Asian football and often produces tightly contested matches. Alga’s unbeaten run keeps them at the top of the standings, putting pressure on rivals to keep pace.

Neftchi Fergana hold steady in Uzbekistan

In the Uzbek Super League, defending champions Neftchi Fergana have maintained their position near the top. The club, which won the title in the previous season, continues to display the organization and depth that brought them success. Uzbek football has been gaining attention recently, with clubs performing well in continental competitions such as the AFC Champions League. Neftchi’s consistent form suggests they will be a tough team to dethrone in the domestic race.

Durand Cup kicks off in India

The Durand Cup, one of Asia’s oldest football tournaments, has begun its new edition in India. The competition, founded in 1888, features clubs from the Indian Super League, I-League, and other domestic sides, along with invited teams from abroad. The start of the tournament adds a fresh layer of excitement to the Indian football calendar, which has been growing in popularity and investment. The Durand Cup historically serves as an early-season test for Indian clubs before the main league campaigns kick off.

Other regional highlights

Beyond Central and South Asia, the AFC roundup also notes developments in the Chinese Super League and K League. Chengdu Rongcheng remain at the top of the Chinese table after a dramatic draw, while Ulsan HD defeated FC Seoul in South Korea. Meanwhile, the transfer window saw Ipswich Town sign Japan forward Daizen Maeda from Celtic, and Korea Republic international Kang-In Lee join Atletico Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain. These moves reflect the growing global footprint of Asian talent.

The World Cup 2026 post-mortem also drew reflections on the performances of Asian teams. Jordan impressed in their debut, Japan exited at the knockout stage with respect, and Iran showed resilience despite not advancing. These outcomes underscore the improving competitiveness of Asian football on the world stage.

Why this matters for readers

For fans following Asian football closely, these weekly roundups provide a snapshot of leagues that often lack international coverage. Understanding the form of clubs like Alga Bishkek and Neftchi Fergana helps build a broader picture of the sport’s development outside Europe. The Durand Cup’s return also offers a chance to track emerging Indian talent and club form early in the season.

Source: Asian Football Confederation – Central & South Asia Wrap: Alga remain unbeaten; Durand Cup kicks off (https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domestic_leagues.html/news/central-south-asia-wrap-alga-remain-unbeaten-durand-cup-kicks-off)