Articles by Paul Williams

About Paul Williams

Paul Williams is an Adelaide-based football writer who has reported on the comings and goings of Asian football for the past decade. Having covered the past two Asian Cups, he writes regularly about the J.League for Optus Sport in Australia, while he also regularly contributes to Arab News. Further, he has previously been published by outlets such as FOX Sports Asia, Al Jazeera English, FourFourTwo, and appeared on numerous TV and radio shows to discuss Asian football.

TAG Podcast: Japan crowned champions of Asia

March 22, 2026 Paul Williams

On a joyous night for Japanese football, the Nadeshiko have cemented their place at the summit of Asian football with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Japan. Paul Williams was in Sydney for the history making […]

Japan return to the summit of Asia after nail-biting win over Australia

March 21, 2026 Paul Williams

Japan has cemented their place at the top of women’s football in Asia with a third Women’s Asian Cup crown in four editions after once again getting the better of Australia at Stadium Australia on […]

Australia storm into Women’s Asian Cup Final at the ‘House of Kerr’

March 17, 2026 Paul Williams

Welcome to the House of Kerr. Three games. Three goals. Three wins. As if there was any doubt for the superstar born in the Western Australian capital, but Perth is officially Sam Kerr territory. As […]

East Asia dominates as final four takes shape

March 14, 2026 Paul Williams

The final four at this year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup is almost set after a day in which East Asian powerhouses China and Korea Republic won through to the semi-final in very differing styles. Over […]

Australia survive massive scare as Kerr inspires Australia into home semi-final

March 13, 2026 Paul Williams

Sam Kerr will be wishing she could play in her native Perth every week. Whether it’s fresh Western Australian air, preparing at a training facility named in her honour or the adoring home crowd, the […]

Korea Republic stun Australia in Women’s Asian Cup boilover

March 8, 2026 Paul Williams

Korea Republic has blown the AFC Women’s Asian Cup open with a stunning X-X victory over Australia to seal top spot in Group A, consigning the hosts to a more treacherous route to the Final […]

Work to do as Australia get the job done in Women’s Asian Cup opener

March 2, 2026 Paul Williams

Sam Kerr scored, and Australia won. That’s normally a pretty good recipe for the Matildas, but on this occasion the final product felt slightly underbaked as Australia ran out 1-0 winners over the Philippines to […]

Kulbytė has Uzbekistan dreaming big

February 25, 2026 Paul Williams

Not only is Kotryna Kulbytė one of the few females actually coaching at this AFC Women’s Asian Cup, she is also younger than some of the players that will feature at the tournament. Yet for […]

Vietnam to build on World Cup experience: Huỳnh Như

February 17, 2026 Paul Williams

Less than three years on from their maiden appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Vietnam return to a tournament hosted by Australia dreaming of a return to the global showpiece in Brazil next year. […]

Who are FK Arkadag, the mysterious Turkmen club looking to take down Al Nassr?

February 10, 2026 Paul Williams

When the draw for the AFC Champions League Two Round of 16 was conducted at the end of 2025, there was one fixture that immediately stood out above all others Being Asia’s second-tier club competition, […]