John Duerden

Japan's J.League: Is there a more competitive league in the world? With a history of tight title races, seven are in the running this time with just 12 games to go.

Is there a more competitive league than the J.League?

12 games to go and 2 points separate the top 6.

Urawa in 7th just 4 off the pace.

howfootballexplainsasia.substack.com/p/japans-jle...

Elephant in the Asian Champions League Knockout stages taking place in Saudi Arabia means big crowds for the local teams but hands them a huge advantage

Wrote this ahead of the quarter-finals in the Asian CL.

Home advantage for the 3 Saudi teams in the knockout stages, is, well, a huge advantage.

The three games against East Asian teams ended 14-1 for the home teams. It's a problem.

howfootballexplainsasia.substack.com/p/elephant-i...

The rise and fall of Guangzhou Evergrande -Asia's first superclub From domination to dissolution in 13 short years, Guangzhou's demise explains much about Chinese football

Some memories of and thoughts on the demise of Guangzhou Evergrande...

"It would be easy to say that Asia’s first superclub flew too close to the sun but when your owners owe amounts that even Elon Musk couldn't cover then a few too many..."

howfootballexplainsasia.substack.com/p/the-rise-a...

Indonesia's Shin sacking shocking not surprising Good results not enough for Shin Tae-yong as Indonesia look to Kluivert for World Cup dreams and more. The team and the culture have completely changed and now, so has the coach.

First newsletter of 2025:

--Indonesia's sacking of Shin Tae-yong came as a shock but not a surprise.

--Vietnam back in top of Southeast Asia

open.substack.com/pub/howfootb...

I have been told that talks between Wolves and Vitor Pereira are at a" very advanced stage". His Saudi club Al-Shabab think that he may well be leaving

The paperback version of Rovers Revolution is finally out!

30 years ago this week, Blackburn Rovers went top of the Premier League and stayed there for the rest of the season.

www.amazon.co.uk/Revolution-B...

Bombs in Lebanon ending lives, dreams and football – DW – 11/22/2024 Footballers across Lebanon are hoping national player Celine Haidar recovers after she was wounded in an Israeli attack on Beirut.

I talked to friends, team-mates and coaches of Celine Haidar, the young Lebanese international fighting for her life after being wounded in an Israeli attack.

www.dw.com/en/bombs-in-...

Bombs in Lebanon ending lives, dreams and football – DW – 11/22/2024 Footballers across Lebanon are hoping national player Celine Haidar recovers after she was wounded in an Israeli attack on Beirut.

I wrote this about Celine Haidar with her friends, team mates and coaches. Such a sad story from what is such a great country. Goes without saying that all hope Celine pulls through

www.dw.com/en/bombs-in-...

Tuesday was one of those special World Cup qualification feasts that Asia throws up from time to time.
The action swept west from Jakarta to Vientiane to Abu Dhabi and Riffa...

howfootballexplainsasia.substack.com/p/epic-day-o...