Mixed emotions for Sailors’ Rankovic despite first leg win

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Mixed emotions for Sailors’ Rankovic despite first leg win

Nonthaburi: Lion City Sailors FC’s 3-2 win against Muangthong United in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg tie on Thursday left head coach Aleksandar Rankovic both pleased and disappointed.

Having seen his side take a 3-0 lead by the 27th minute, a red card to Song Ui-yong eight minutes into the second half swung the game in favour of Muangthong to leave the second leg finely poised. 

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_two.html/video/acltwo-|-r16-1st-leg-muangthong-united-tha-2-3-lion-city-sailors-sgp

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Jeonbuk’s lightning start delights Poyet; Port’s defensive frailties worry Wasapol

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Jeonbuk’s lightning start delights Poyet; Port’s defensive frailties worry Wasapol

Pathum Thani: Gustavo Poyet began life as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC head coach on the right foot after an impressive 4-0 win over Port FC in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg tie on Thursday.

The former Uruguay international saw his side score twice in each half through Park Jin-seop, Andrea Campagno (2) and Song Min-kyu as the Korea Republic club took a commanding lead for the return leg at Jeonju World Cup Stadium.

Skibee’s second half tinkering pays off for Sanfrecce

Thu, 13 Feb, 2025

Skibee’s second half tinkering pays off for Sanfrecce

Nam Dinh: Sanfrecce Hiroshima head coach Michael Skibee was proud of his charges following their 3-0 win over Vietnam’s Nam Dinh in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

Nam Dinh held their own for the opening 45 minutes before Sanfrecce turned on the power in the second half with goals from Sota Nakamura, Satoshi Tanaka and Sota Koshimichi to give the Japanese an overwhelming advantage going into the return leg.

The introduction of Koshimichi and Nakamura in the second half paid off handsomely for Skibee, who took advantage of Nam Dinh’s fatigue. 

Totchtawan optimistic of Bangkok’s chances after late fightback

Thu, 13 Feb, 2025

Totchtawan optimistic of Bangkok’s chances after late fightback

Sydney: Bangkok United head coach Totchtawan Sripan was filled with pride following his team's dramatic 2-2 draw with Sydney FC in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 on Wednesday.

Thitiphan Puangjan's last-minute heroics in stoppage time ensured the Thai side will head into the return leg at home on level terms.  

Al Wakrah’s Asbaghi, Al Taawoun’s Abdali confident of advancing

Thu, 13 Feb, 2025

Al Wakrah’s Asbaghi, Al Taawoun’s Abdali confident of advancing

Al Wakrah: Poya Asbaghi of Al Wakrah SC and his Al Taawoun FC counterpart Mohammed Al Abdali are equally confident of progression after their sides battled to a 2-2 draw in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

Qatar’s Al Wakhrah had to come from behind twice to hold Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun with head coach Asbaghi believing his side’s resilience will take them through in next week’s return leg.

Abdi wants more from his IR Iran side

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Abdi wants more from his IR Iran side

Shenzhen: Islamic Republic of Iran head coach Hossein Abdi admitted his team could have performed better in their opening AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 match despite controlling  the game from the start.

The four-time champions defeated Indonesia 3-0 in Group C in a match that came alive in the second half. Hesam Nafari opened proceedings five minutes after the start, but the second and third goals from Esmaeil Gholizadeh and Mobin Dehghan only materialised in the 63rd and 70th minutes.

Soares praises Saudi Arabia’s defensive discipline after Jordan triumph

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Soares praises Saudi Arabia’s defensive discipline after Jordan triumph

Shenzhen: Head coach Marcos Soares expressed both relief and satisfaction after Saudi Arabia secured a 1-0 win against Jordan in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group B opener on Thursday.

After a cagey first half at Baoan Sports Centre Stadium, Saudi Arabia came out with renewed intensity, breaking the deadlock just a minute after the restart through Saad Haqawi and then keeping Jordan at bay to secure the three points.

Urinboev proud of Uzbekistan’s resolve; Albadani rues Yemen’s luck

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Urinboev proud of Uzbekistan’s resolve; Albadani rues Yemen’s luck

Shenzhen: Uzbekistan kicked off their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group A campaign with a test of character, having to slog for a 1-0 win against Yemen on Thursday.

Despite the difficulties suffered in the match - especially in the second half as Yemen threatened to draw level on numerous occasions - goalscorer Muhammadali Urinboev preferred to see it as a match which highlighted the belief and determination of the Uzbekistan squad.

Mousa expects Iraq to bounce back

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Mousa expects Iraq to bounce back

Shenzhen: Muslim Mousa delivered a strong performance in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 opener, helping his side secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw against DPR Korea at the Longhua Cultural and Sports Centre Stadium on Thursday.

Iraq took the lead in the first half through Aymen Luay but DPR Korea responded after the hour mark, with Kim Jin-Song capitalising on a defensive lapse to equalise.

Standing at 179 cm tall, Mousa commanded the backline with authority, marshaling the six-yard box as captain before passing the armband to Amoori Faisal, who was introduced late in the second half.