Sato excelling in what she loves

Sat, 11 May, 2024

Sato excelling in what she loves

Bali: Momo Sato enjoys scoring goals and winning games, and the 17-year-old did exactly that during Japan’s match against Australia in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 on Friday.

The forward’s opening brace steered Japan to a 4-1 win over the Junior Matildas in their Group B tie - a result which saw the four-time AFC U-16 Women’s Championship winners qualify for the semi-finals with a match to spare. 

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Shirai: Japan yet to reach their full potential

Sat, 11 May, 2024

Shirai: Japan yet to reach their full potential

Bali: Japan have made their way into the semi-finals of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 without losing a game but head coach Sadayoshi Shirai believes his side can improve further.

The four-time AFC U-16 Women’s Championship winners defeated Australia 4-1 in their second Group B match on Friday to book their place in the last four. Japan, who beat Thailand on Matchday One, will meet fellow semi-finalists China PR on Monday to determine who tops the group.

Hou believes China PR's wait will end

Sat, 11 May, 2024

Hou believes China PR's wait will end

Bali: Getting through to the semi-finals of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 has Hou Shumei believing that this could be the year that China PR finally land the big prize.

Consecutive 3-0 wins over Thailand and Australia have boosted confidence and expectations have soared in the squad.

Different kind of win brings joy to China PR's van Egmond

Fri, 10 May, 2024

Different kind of win brings joy to China PR's van Egmond

Bali: The ability to find solutions to different situations saw Gary van Egmond sporting a pleased look after China PR defeated Thailand 3-0 on Friday to book their place in the semi-finals of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024.

The result, coupled together with Japan's 4-1 win over Australia, means both the East Asian nations have an unassailable lead in Group B ahead of their meeting on Monday.

After dominating in their 3-0 win over Australia in the opening game, Thailand's defensive resoluteness forced China PR to seek variety in their approach with van Egmond clear on what his side needed to do in the game.

#ACL Final 1st Leg: 5 things to look out for

Sat, 11 May, 2024

#ACL Final 1st Leg: 5 things to look out for

Yokohama: The AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final is upon us as Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos get set to host the United Arab Emirates’ Al Ain FC in the first leg at Yokohama International Stadium on Saturday.

The game sees Al Ain return to the final for the fourth time and first since 2016, while their hosts from the J1 League are making their first appearance in the showpiece event.
 
As the teams get set to face off for the right to be crowned kings of Asia, the-AFC.com has selected five things to look out for.

Preview - Final (1st Leg): Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) v Al Ain FC (UAE)

Sat, 11 May, 2024

Preview - Final (1st Leg): Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) v Al Ain FC (UAE)

Yokohama: A place in Asian football history is what Yokohama F. Marinos and Al Ain FC will be chasing when they meet in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final, with the first leg to be played on Saturday.

Yokohama are bidding to win the title for the first time while Al Ain are seeking to add a second championship, having won the inaugural edition in 2003 with a new AFC club competition structure to be introduced from the 2024/25 season.