India, Kuwait to battle for title

Sun, 02 Jul, 2023

India, Kuwait to battle for title

Bengaluru: India will meet Kuwait in the final of the 2023 SAFF Championship after hard-fought semi-final triumphs on Saturday.

India defeated Lebanon 4-2 on penalties after their semi-final ended goalless over 120 minutes while Kuwait edged Bangladesh 1-0 in their last four tie.

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Preview - Final: Korea Republic v Japan

Sun, 02 Jul, 2023

Preview - Final: Korea Republic v Japan

Pathum Thani: Perennial rivals Korea Republic and Japan will put their best foot forward when they square off in the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 final at the Pathum Thani Stadium on Sunday.

The two teams have scored a staggering 34 goals between them with Korea Republic vying to end a 21-year wait to be champions at this age group level, while Japan are aiming to add the title to their record three AFC U-16 Championship crowns.  

Takaoka hungry to do more

Sat, 01 Jul, 2023

Takaoka hungry to do more

Pathum Thani: Japan’s goal scoring prowess has left a lasting impression during the course of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 and a key player in the successful unbeaten run of the East Asian giants has been striker Rento Takaoka.

Having featured in every match so far, Takaoka has scored once and made two assists and ahead of the much-anticipated final, the 16-year-old is determined to do even more to ensure his team head to the FIFA U17 World Cup Indonesia 2023 as continental champions.

Unity, desire will power us, says Lim

Sat, 01 Jul, 2023

Unity, desire will power us, says Lim

Pathum Thani: Lim Hyun-sub's wish for Korea Republic to play six matches in the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 has been realised and the midfielder now wants to cap their participation by lifting the title at the Pathum Thani Stadium on Sunday.

It has been 21 years since Korea Republic won the second of their AFC U16 Championship titles and Lim, 17, said the team are determined to end the long wait.

Know your Head Coach: Byun Sung-hwan (Korea Republic)

Sat, 01 Jul, 2023

Know your Head Coach: Byun Sung-hwan (Korea Republic)

Pathum Thani: Korea Republic head coach Byun Sung-hwan had his wish granted when his team avenged their Qualifiers defeat to Uzbekistan in the semi-finals of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023.

Now, he has an opportunity to avenge another painful loss when the young Taeguk Warriors take on Japan in Sunday’s final at the Pathum Thani Stadium.
 
Byun, who saw his side lose to their East Asian rivals in a friendly earlier this year, admitted that he has been imagining defeating the young Samurai Blue to win the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ title since then.

Know your Head Coach: Yoshiro Moriyama (Japan)

Fri, 30 Jun, 2023

Know your Head Coach: Yoshiro Moriyama (Japan)

Pathum Thani: Japan are one match away from winning the AFC U17 Asian Cup Thailand 2023 title and if they do, it will further reinforce head coach Yoshiro Moriyama's grassroots credentials.

Much of his career has been dedicated to grassroots coaching and Moriyama was at the helm when Japan won their record-setting third AFC U16 Championship in 2018.

Road to Final: Korea Republic

Fri, 30 Jun, 2023

Road to Final: Korea Republic

Pathum Thani: Korea Republic are one match away from lifting the AFC U17 Asian Cup Thailand 2023 title. 

Despite having won the AFC U-16 Championship twice, Korea Republic's last triumph was in 2002 and the East Asian side are desperate to end their drought.
 
Ahead of Sunday's decider against perennial rivals Japan, the-AFC.com takes a look at how Korea Republic reached the final.

Road to Final: Japan

Fri, 30 Jun, 2023

Road to Final: Japan

Pathum Thani: Japan have shown tremendous improvement as the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 has progressed and will fancy their chances of defeating Korea Republic in Sunday’s final. 

Having won the AFC U-16 Championship three times, including the final edition in 2018, they will be eager to become the first team to have their name engraved on the new trophy. 
 
Ahead of the decider, the-AFC.com takes a look at how Japan reached the final.