Europe Wrap: Maeda steals the spotlight

Tue, 11 Feb, 2025

Europe Wrap: Maeda steals the spotlight

Kuala Lumpur: Daizen Maeda took his tally to 21 goals across all competitions for Celtic when the Japanese international scored five times in total in the Premiership and Scottish Cup over the past week.

Uzbekistan’s Abdukodir Khusanov scored his first while Japan international Kaoru Mitoma and Korea Republic’s Yang Hyun-jun grabbed a goal apiece in FA and Scottish Cup action.

Follow the-AFC.com as we look at what the rest of Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe this past week.

Preview - MD7: Shandong Taishan FC (CHN) v Gwangju FC (KOR)

Tue, 11 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD7: Shandong Taishan FC (CHN) v Gwangju FC (KOR)

Jinan: Shandong Taishan FC have to beat Gwangju FC on Tuesday if they are to stand a chance of qualifying for the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25.

China PR's Shandong headed into the break in 10th on seven points, one adrift of the teams placed between sixth and eighth in the East Zone standings.

Preview - MD7: Vissel Kobe (JPN) v Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Tue, 11 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD7: Vissel Kobe (JPN) v Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Kobe: Vissel Kobe will count on home ground advantage to take them into the knockout stage when they face Shanghai Port FC in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday.

Victory at the Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium will confirm the Japanese champions' ticket into the Round of 16 while three points will be a huge boost to Shanghai Port's chances.

Preview - MD7: FC Pohang Steelers (KOR) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Tue, 11 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD7: FC Pohang Steelers (KOR) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Pohang: FC Pohang Steelers and Kawasaki Frontale are set for a thriller when they face off in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday.

Victory for Korea Republic's Pohang will see them drawing level on points with their Japanese opponents while a win will secure Japan's Frontale their spot in the Round of 16.

Preview - MD7: Central Coast Mariners (AUS) v Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)

Tue, 11 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD7: Central Coast Mariners (AUS) v Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)

Gosford: Central Coast Mariners will attempt to derail Johor Darul Ta'zim's knockout stage hopes when the two sides meet in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday.

While Australia's Mariners are already out of the running for a spot in the Round of 16, Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim are still very much in the race but need victory to stay ahead of their challengers.

Preview - R16, 1st Leg: Al Hussein (JOR) v Sharjah FC (UAE)

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

Preview - R16, 1st Leg: Al Hussein (JOR) v Sharjah FC (UAE)

Amman: Al Hussein will be determined to extend their journey when they welcome Sharjah FC to the Amman International Stadium for the first leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

The face-off promises to be a cracker, with both teams enjoying good form on the domestic front.

Preview - R16, 1st Leg: Al Khaldiya SC (BHR) v Tractor FC (IRN)

Tue, 11 Feb, 2025

Preview - R16, 1st Leg: Al Khaldiya SC (BHR) v Tractor FC (IRN)

Riffa: It will be a meeting between two in-form teams when Al Khaldiya SC and Tractor FC square off in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie.

Both sides are well in the race for their respective domestic titles and will face off fit and ready for what promises to be a thrilling tie.

#AFCU20 - Know your China 2025 teams

Thu, 06 Feb, 2025

#AFCU20 - Know your China 2025 teams

Shenzhen: The AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 kicks off on Wednesday with 16 teams set to vie for the title.

Twelve will be seeking to emerge champions again and as the excitement peaks, join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the four groups.

#AFCU20 - In Numbers

Thu, 06 Feb, 2025

#AFCU20 - In Numbers

Shenzhen: The AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2025™ is just days away with teams in their final stage of preparations.

Set to be contested between February 12-March 1, it is a tournament laden with history and the-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts ahead of the action kicking off on Wednesday.

#AFCU20 - China 2025 squads finalised

Sat, 08 Feb, 2025

#AFCU20 - China 2025 squads finalised

Shenzhen: The squads for the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2025™ have been named as the 16 teams get set for what they hope is the road to glory.

Numerous players have previously used the tournament as the springboard to success and China 2025 promises to be the same.

#AFCU20 battles to light up China 2025

Fri, 07 Feb, 2025

#AFCU20 battles to light up China 2025

Kuala Lumpur: Some of Asia’s brightest footballing talents will be on show starting from Wednesday, February 12 when the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 comes to life.

Sixteen teams have set their sights on ultimate glory at the tournament, which is being staged for the second time in China PR, after sealing qualification last September.