Stalemate takes Mariners through to Inter-Zone final

Thu, 14 Mar, 2024

Stalemate takes Mariners through to Inter-Zone final

Bhubaneswar: Central Coast Mariners confirmed their place in the Inter-Zone final of the  AFC Cup™ 2023-24 on Thursday as Mark Jackson’s side drew 0-0 with Odisha FC in Kalinga Stadium to complete a 4-0 aggregate win over the Indian Super League outfit.

Mikael Doka missed a first half penalty for the A-League side but it mattered little as the Australians had gone into the second leg with a comfortable 4-0 cushion from the first leg in Gosford last week.
 
Mariners will face Abdysh-Ata Kant from Kyrgyz Republic in the Inter-Zone final next month after Islam Ahmedov’s team completed their win over Taichung Futuro from Chinese Taipei on Wednesday.
 
The first leg of the Inter-Zone final will be held in Bishkek on April 17 with the return in Gosford one week later.

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Akhmedov praises Abdysh-Ata’s determination

Thu, 14 Mar, 2024

Akhmedov praises Abdysh-Ata’s determination

Kaohsiung: Islom Akhmedov lauded his FK Abdysh-Ata Kant players for their fighting spirit in their 3-1 victory over Taichung Futuro FC in the second leg of their AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Inter-Zone semi-final on Wednesday.

The result at the Nanzih Football Stadium secured Abdysh-Ata an impressive 8-1 aggregate victory, with the Kyrgyz Republic side set for a showdown against either Australia’s Central Coast Mariners or Odisha FC of India in the Inter-Zone final.
 
Abdysh-Ata trailed going into the break on Wednesday but turned things around to walk away as comfortable winners. 

Kewell proud of F. Marinos' resilience

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

Kewell proud of F. Marinos' resilience

Yokohama: Harry Kewell praised his Yokohama F Marinos players as the J1 League outfit advanced to the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League for the first time with a 1-0 win on Wednesday that sealed a 3-1 aggregate victory over Chinese Super League side Shandong Taishan.

Anderson Lopes’ 75th minute goal took Marinos through in front of their own fans despite playing much of the second half at Yokohama International Stadium with 10 men due to Katsuya Nagato’s sending off for a second yellow card in the 47th minute.

Hijikata determined to drive Japan to glory

Thu, 14 Mar, 2024

Hijikata determined to drive Japan to glory

Tashkent: Maya Hijikata revealed that Japan’s group stage defeat to DPR Korea was the catalyst for their 5-1 win against Australia in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 semi-finals on Wednesday.

Hijikata scored Japan’s third goal with a curling effort from inside the box but admitted that she was not completely satisfied with her performance.

Buoyant Choe expects to do more of the same for DPR Korea

Thu, 14 Mar, 2024

Buoyant Choe expects to do more of the same for DPR Korea

Tashkent: Choe Il Son produced a match-winning performance in DPR Korea’s AFC Women’s U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 semi-final win over Korea Republic with the forward hopeful she can do the same in Saturday’s final.

DPR Korea, while in control from the first blow of the whistle, couldn’t break down Korea Republic until Choe fired home from an acute angle just before the break, catching custodian Woo Seo-bin out.

Kano’s tactical adjustments pay off for Japan

Thu, 14 Mar, 2024

Kano’s tactical adjustments pay off for Japan

Tashkent: Head coach  Michihisa Kano was in high spirits after Japan’s emphatic 5-1 win over Australia in their AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 semi-final at the JAR Stadium on Wednesday.

The win sets up the six-time AFC U19 Women’s Championship winners with a showdown against DPR Korea, who defeated Korea Republic 3-0, in the final on Saturday.
 
Having seen Australia force themselves back into the tie, Michihisa made tactical changes at the break which resulted in a flurry of goals in the second half as Japan advanced in emphatic fashion. 

Ri: Physical strength was DPR Korea's advantage

Thu, 14 Mar, 2024

Ri: Physical strength was DPR Korea's advantage

Tashkent: Head coach Ri Song ho was over the moon after DPR Korea reinforced their title ambitions with a 3-0 win over Korea Republic in their AFC Women’s U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 semi-final on Wednesday. 

Choe Il son, Jong Kum and Hwang Yu yong scored in the win at Do’stlik Stadium with Ri praising the physical capabilities of his players which enabled a high-tempo, high-intensity performance throughout the 90 minutes with DPR Korea to face Japan in Saturday's final.