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.

Russia continues to consider a future in Asia ahead of Iran and Iraq friendlies

March 24, 2023 Martin Lowe

March welcomes the return of international football for 2023. The first of 17 FIFA windows and 44 potential matchdays between now and the World Cup in 2026; the long trail towards USA, Canada and Mexico […]

Uzbekistan provide a glimpse into a positive future

March 22, 2023 Martin Lowe

Following their run to the final of last year’s AFC U23 Asian Cup, Uzbekistan went one step further in clinching the AFC U20 Asian Cup in front of a sell-out Tashkent crowd on Saturday afternoon. […]

Uzbek Super League kicks off amid renewed optimism

March 3, 2023 Martin Lowe

As the new Super League season resumes this weekend, Uzbek football is buoyant, generating increased interest inside and out of the country’s borders. With renewed optimism placed on the new youth structures in place across […]

Al Hilal continue dominance of Asia’s west

February 27, 2023 Martin Lowe

Some things in Asian football are entirely predictable after all; Al Hilal progress to the AFC Champions League final for the third time in four years, following an emphatic 7-0 victory over Al-Duhail, a match […]

Asia’s ‘Generation Next’ ready to shine in Uzbekistan

February 27, 2023 Martin Lowe

The AFC U20 Asian Cup kicks off this Wednesday in Tashkent, as Uzbekistan play host to a second continental youth showpiece in the space of a year. March’s finals will be the first edition played […]

Finally, the West will be won in the AFC Champions League

February 19, 2023 Martin Lowe

The AFC Champions League knockout stages in the West have finally arrived, after a gargantuan 10-month long wait since the group stage concluded back in May. Football rarely stands still, yet looking back at the […]

Is Queiroz the right man to take Qatar forward?

February 8, 2023 Martin Lowe

The long-awaited news that Carlos Queiroz will become Qatar national team coach was confirmed on Monday. The Portuguese pragmatist, who left Iran at the turn of the year, has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the […]

Club World Cup expansion a step in the right direction

January 30, 2023 Martin Lowe

Bigger is better, or so Gianni Infantino will have you believe. The FIFA president’s announcement that the Club World Cup would expand to 32 teams by 2025 was met with divided opinion to say the […]

Agony overshadows ecstasy as Iraq clinch Gulf Cup title

January 20, 2023 Martin Lowe

Agony, followed by ecstasy. The very best and worst that football can bring to a country will likely share the spotlight in defining the 25th edition of the Gulf Cup. While hosts Iraq can look […]

Bahrain emerging from the wilderness

January 12, 2023 Martin Lowe

The opening week of the 25th Gulf Cup has sure lived up to its billing. From the return of sold-out Iraqi stadiums to the widespread good feeling from those visiting the tournament in Basra, the […]