Articles by Martin Lowe

About Martin Lowe

Martin Lowe is a freelance football writer who has been covering Asian football for the best part of the last decade. He appeared on Al Jazeera English television and Football Nation Radio during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, whilst writing for Sandals for Goalposts and other Asian football focused platforms. He has been a senior contributor to The Asian Game website since our launch in 2019.

The power behind Kyrgyzstan’s progress

July 21, 2026 Martin Lowe

While much of the footballing world has been gripped by the FIFA World Cup over the last two months, the domestic game in Kyrgyzstan has carried on unabated. As the Kyrgyz Premier League reached its […]

Uzbekistan dealt harsh lesson by Portugal

June 24, 2026 Martin Lowe

Six minutes. That was all it took for Portugal to breach the Uzbek rearguard and open the floodgates, as the White Wolves’ promising start to life at their first FIFA World Cup quickly unravelled in […]

Uzbekistan left to rue costly mistakes in World Cup debut

June 18, 2026 Martin Lowe

Uzbekistan’s long awaited first ever FIFA World Cup appearance ultimately ended in defeat, losing 3-1 to Colombia in the glorious surroundings of the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Defeat on paper only tells part of […]

Saudi Arabia earn precious point, but questions remain ahead of Spain showdown

June 16, 2026 Martin Lowe

Asia’s miraculous unbeaten start to the World Cup continues, as Saudi Arabia turned expectations on their head to secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Uruguay. It won’t be one to look back on with misty […]

Is history about to repeat for Qatar on the world stage?

June 1, 2026 Martin Lowe

Three and a half years on from their infamous group stage elimination, Qatar return to the FIFA World Cup under vastly different circumstances. The scrutiny is lower, the expectations more subdued, yet any sense of […]

Cannavaro names extended squad as Uzbekistan begin World Cup preparations

May 8, 2026 Martin Lowe

The year 2026 always shaped up to be a significant one for Uzbek football, and with the national team’s excitement ramping up ahead of a first FIFA World Cup appearance in just over a month’s […]

Can anyone stop Saudi Arabia’s continental dominance?

April 12, 2026 Martin Lowe

The AFC Champions League (ACL) Elite concludes over the coming fortnight, as an unexpectedly expanded finals series returns to Jeddah for its second edition. With the ongoing conflict in Iran forcing the postponement of the […]

Uzbekistan win but questions remain ahead of World Cup debut

March 31, 2026 Martin Lowe

Uzbekistan signed off on their World Cup preparations with an undefeated final international window, a penalty shoot-out victory, and an inaugural FIFA Series triumph in their home send off. Departing for the final domestic season […]

World Cup preparations thrown into chaos against the backdrop of ongoing war

March 25, 2026 Martin Lowe

It’s only three months to go until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Mexico City. A historic tournament, not just for Asian football, but specifically West Asia, as expansion brings with it exposure […]

What we learned as ACL Elite league stage comes to a conclusion

February 19, 2026 Martin Lowe

The AFC Champions League Elite rounded off its league stage over the past fortnight, as the very best in Asia set their sights on the knockout stage next month; the stage almost set for the […]