Second half surge gives Yokohama narrow advantage over Al Ain

Sat, 11 May, 2024

Second half surge gives Yokohama narrow advantage over Al Ain

Yokohama: Kouta Watanabe struck six minutes from time as Yokohama F Marinos came back from a goal down to seal a 2-1 win over Al Ain in the first leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final on Saturday that ensures the J1 League side will take a slender lead into the second leg in the United Arab Emirates in two weeks’ time.

Watanabe pounced from close range after teammate Asahi Uenaka had earlier cancelled out Mohammed Abbas’ 12th minute opener at Yokohama International Stadium as the Japanese club chase their first-ever AFC Champions League title in their clash with the 2002-03 title winners.
 
The teams will meet again at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on May 25 with the winners taking Asia’s fourth and final berth at the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States next year.

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Shimada: Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies’ tactical mastery was winning formula

Sat, 11 May, 2024

Shimada: Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies’ tactical mastery was winning formula

Saitama: Height disadvantage was no barrier for Mei Shimada, who scored the winning goal in  Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies’ come-from-behind victory over Hyundai Steel Red Angels in the AFC Women's Club Championship™ final on Friday.

Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies were trailing by a goal following Lee So-hee’s 13th minute opener, before the home side switched tactics to level the tie through Kiko Seike’s volley in the 22nd minute with Shimada then nodding home the winner four minutes later.

Preview - Group A: Korea Republic v Philippines

Sun, 12 May, 2024

Preview - Group A: Korea Republic v Philippines

Bali: Korea Republic and the Philippines will go all out for a place in the semi-finals of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 when they meet in their concluding Group A tie on Sunday.

With DPR Korea already assured of their last four slot, nothing short of a win at the Bali United Training Center will do for tournament debutantes Philippines as Korea Republic have a better goal difference with both teams on three points.

Preview - Group A: Indonesia v DPR Korea

Sun, 12 May, 2024

Preview - Group A: Indonesia v DPR Korea

Bali: Song Sung Gwon will use DPR Korea’s final Group A match against Indonesia in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 as an opportunity for his squad players to stake a claim for starting places.

In the earlier matches against Korea Republic and Philippines, Song selected the same nine starters for both games while four were rotated. 

Sato excelling in what she loves

Sat, 11 May, 2024

Sato excelling in what she loves

Bali: Momo Sato enjoys scoring goals and winning games, and the 17-year-old did exactly that during Japan’s match against Australia in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 on Friday.

The forward’s opening brace steered Japan to a 4-1 win over the Junior Matildas in their Group B tie - a result which saw the four-time AFC U-16 Women’s Championship winners qualify for the semi-finals with a match to spare. 

Hou believes China PR's wait will end

Sat, 11 May, 2024

Hou believes China PR's wait will end

Bali: Getting through to the semi-finals of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 has Hou Shumei believing that this could be the year that China PR finally land the big prize.

Consecutive 3-0 wins over Thailand and Australia have boosted confidence and expectations have soared in the squad.

Shirai: Japan yet to reach their full potential

Sat, 11 May, 2024

Shirai: Japan yet to reach their full potential

Bali: Japan have made their way into the semi-finals of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 without losing a game but head coach Sadayoshi Shirai believes his side can improve further.

The four-time AFC U-16 Women’s Championship winners defeated Australia 4-1 in their second Group B match on Friday to book their place in the last four. Japan, who beat Thailand on Matchday One, will meet fellow semi-finalists China PR on Monday to determine who tops the group.

Different kind of win brings joy to China PR's van Egmond

Fri, 10 May, 2024

Different kind of win brings joy to China PR's van Egmond

Bali: The ability to find solutions to different situations saw Gary van Egmond sporting a pleased look after China PR defeated Thailand 3-0 on Friday to book their place in the semi-finals of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024.

The result, coupled together with Japan's 4-1 win over Australia, means both the East Asian nations have an unassailable lead in Group B ahead of their meeting on Monday.

After dominating in their 3-0 win over Australia in the opening game, Thailand's defensive resoluteness forced China PR to seek variety in their approach with van Egmond clear on what his side needed to do in the game.