Europe Wrap: Jahanbakhsh, Ueda lift KNVB Cup; Al Taamari winner for Montpellier

Tue, 23 Apr, 2024

Europe Wrap: Jahanbakhsh, Ueda lift KNVB Cup; Al Taamari winner for Montpellier

Kuala Lumpur: Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Ayase Ueda helped Feyenoord secure their 14th KNVB Cup title in the Netherlands on Sunday after the Rotterdam side beat NEC Nijmegen 1-0 in a closely contested final at De Kuip. 

Musa Al Taamari produced a late winner against Reims to steer Montpellier further clear of the relegation zone in the French top division while Mehdi Taremi scored from the penalty spot to guide FC Porto into the final of the Taca de Portugal. 
 
Kim Min-jae’s Bayern Munich and Lee Kang-in's Paris Saint-Germain progressed to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, Maika Hamano scored her maiden goal for Chelsea and a Yuito Suzuki double gave Brondby the upper hand in the title race in Denmark, so join the-AFC.com as we find out how the Asian stars performed in Europe over the past week. 

Saadoon hails Iraq’s strong character

Tue, 23 Apr, 2024

Saadoon hails Iraq’s strong character

Doha: Mustafa Saadoon was beaming with joy after Iraq sealed a place in the quarter-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ following a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia on Monday.

It was an eventful match for the Air Force Club player as he was involved in all three goals, winning the first penalty, fouling Haitham Asiri for Saudi Arabia’s equaliser before bundling in the winner with the 21-year-old stressing that the result showed Iraq’s mettle.

Injuries fail to stop Korea Republic against Japan

Tue, 23 Apr, 2024

Injuries fail to stop Korea Republic against Japan

Doha:  Korea Republic head coach Hwang Sun-hong revealed his side overcame a growing list of injuries to hand Japan a 1-0 defeat in their final Group B clash at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ on Monday and set up a quarter-final meeting with Indonesia on Thursday.

Kim Min-soo scored the only goal of the game 15 minutes from time after being introduced as a second-half substitute, with the win confirming the Koreans as Group B winners and setting up an intriguing encounter with Shin Tae-yong’s side.

Tajikistan’s Ergashev steps down; Ithsara sees bright future for Thailand

Tue, 23 Apr, 2024

Tajikistan’s Ergashev steps down; Ithsara sees bright future for Thailand

Doha: History was made but head head coach Mubin Ergashev felt no joy as Tajikistan bid farewell to the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ on Monday.

The 1-0 win against Thailand was Tajikistan's first ever victory at the tournament but it wasn't enough to take them through after Iraq stunned defending champions Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their tie, with the two West Asian sides advancing to the quarter-finals.

China PR’s Cheng pleased with positive mentality

Tue, 23 Apr, 2024

China PR’s Cheng pleased with positive mentality

Doha: Heading into their final Group B match on Monday, China PR were looking to pick up their first points at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ and also end a five-game losing run in tournament history.

While team morale was not at the optimum following back-to-back defeats against Japan and Korea Republic, Cheng Yaodong’s charges finally delivered with a 2-1 success against the United Arab Emirates at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium to leave their head coach a happy man at full time.

#ACFutsal2024 - Group Stage In Numbers

Tue, 23 Apr, 2024

#ACFutsal2024 - Group Stage In Numbers

Bangkok: After six days of high-octane action, the group stage of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 drew to a close on Monday as the cast for the quarter-finals was confirmed. 

Ahead of Wednesday last-eight matches, the-AFC.com highlights some of the facts and figures that stood out during the group stage.