Group B: Melbourne City FC (AUS) 4-0 Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI)

Sun, 13 Oct, 2024

Group B: Melbourne City FC (AUS) 4-0 Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI)

Pathum Thani: Melbourne City FC of Australia produced a sparkling performance to defeat Philippines’ Kaya FC-Iloilo 4-0 in their final AFC Women’s Champions League™ 2024/25 Group B match at the Pathum Thani Stadium on Saturday.

Melbourne led from start to finish, taking a 4-0 first half lead which ultimately sealed the win as they finished with nine points, while Kaya’s progress depends on the outcome of the College of Asian Scholars of Thailand-Islamic Republic of Iran’s Bam Khatoon FC tie later on Saturday.

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Group C: Taichung Blue Whale Women’s Football Team (TPE) 4-0 Odisha FC (IND)

Sun, 13 Oct, 2024

Group C: Taichung Blue Whale Women’s Football Team (TPE) 4-0 Odisha FC (IND)

Ho Chi Minh: Taichung Blue Whale Women’s Football Team of Chinese Taipei finished in style after defeating India’s Odisha Football Club 4-0 in their AFC Women's Champions League™ 2024/25 Group C tie on Saturday.

The result meant Taichung and China PR’s Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC advanced to the knockout stage as the two best third-placed finishers.

Iraq get the job done for Casas

Sat, 12 Oct, 2024

Iraq get the job done for Casas

Basra: Jesus Casas was unperturbed by the winning margin as what matters for the Iraq head coach is that his side remain on track for a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Aymen Hussein’s 31st minute strike secured Iraq the points against a determined Palestine, drawing Casas’ side level with Korea Republic on seven points, with the two teams to meet in Incheon on Tuesday.

Psychological preparation steered Oman to victory, says Jaber

Sat, 12 Oct, 2024

Psychological preparation steered Oman to victory, says Jaber

Muscat: Rashid Jaber credited in-depth psychological preparation for Oman’s impressive win over Kuwait in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group B tie on Thursday.

Jaber, who took charge as head coach after Oman had suffered two defeats in their opening matches, oversaw a complete performance as his team dismantled Kuwait in a 4-0 defeat. 

Lopez impressed with Qatar; Lisitsyn laments Kyrgyz Republic’s inconsistency

Sat, 12 Oct, 2024

Lopez impressed with Qatar; Lisitsyn laments Kyrgyz Republic’s inconsistency

Doha: Head coach Marquez Lopez was delighted after his Qatar side beat Kyrgyz Republic 3-1 to put their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 campaign back on track.

After a difficult start with only one point from the opening two matches, the reigning AFC Asian Cup™ champions were under pressure to deliver and came through with flying colours.

Kyrgyz Republic made things difficult initially but the game changed after Almoez Ali found the breakthrough with six minutes left to play in the first half.

Bento, Sin seek improvements after disappointing draw

Fri, 11 Oct, 2024

Bento, Sin seek improvements after disappointing draw

Al Ain: UAE head coach Paulo Bento and his DPR Korea counterpart Sin Young Nam expressed frustration after their teams shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group A tie on Thursday.

Bento’s UAE took the lead in the 66th minute but a lapse in concentration by goalkeeper Khalid Eisa, who had earlier saved Han Kwang Song’s penalty, saw Jong Il Gwan equalising in the 86th minute.

Know Your Team - DPR Korea

Sat, 12 Oct, 2024

Know Your Team - DPR Korea

Kuala Lumpur: DPR Korea will not only be chasing a historic third FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup title but will also be looking to complete a unique double for the second time on the global stage.

The East Asian side won the FIFA U-17 and U-20 world titles in 2016 and having emerged champions of the older age-group tournament last month, will be aiming to scale the peak their senior counterparts achieved.

IR Iran remain Asia’s top-ranked side

Fri, 11 Oct, 2024

IR Iran remain Asia’s top-ranked side

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran remained as Asia’s top-ranked team despite falling two spots to sixth in the latest FIFA Men’s Futsal World Ranking.

Iran stumbled in the Round of 16  of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024, losing 4-3 to Morocco.

Mancini: Saudi Arabia must push on

Fri, 11 Oct, 2024

Mancini: Saudi Arabia must push on

Jeddah: Roberto Mancini has urged his players to look forward after Saudi Arabia suffered a 2-0 loss to Japan in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group C tie on Thursday.

The defeat means Japan have opened a five-point gap at the top of the standings after only three matches, leading Mancini to admit that Saudi Arabia are in a fight with Australia to finish second in the group, which will also mean automatic qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026. 

Marhoon vows Bahrain will bounce back

Fri, 11 Oct, 2024

Marhoon vows Bahrain will bounce back

Riffa: A goal deep into added time salvaged Bahrain a 2-2 draw with Indonesia in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group C tie with midfielder Mohammed Marhoon admitting they nearly paid a price for not converting their chances.

Marhoon gave Bahrain a 15th minute lead but they were then pegged back by efforts from Ragnar Oratmangoen and Rafael Struick as Indonesia looked on course for a famous win. 

Marhoon, however, rescued a point with his goal in the ninth minute of added time at the Bahrain National Stadium. 

Ghalenoei, Radmanovic content with stalemate

Fri, 11 Oct, 2024

Ghalenoei, Radmanovic content with stalemate

Tashkent: Uzbekistan’s Vlado Radmanovic and Amir Ghalenoei of the Islamic Republic of Iran were both satisfied after seeing their sides played to a goalless draw in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group A tie on Thursday.

The top of the table clash was fiercely contested but similar to their two meetings in the second round of the qualifiers, there was to be no winner.

Radmanovic, who took charge as head coach as Srecko Katanec was indisposed, was pleased to see Uzbekistan navigate what he considered the toughest match in the group, with their sights now set on the upcoming games.