#AFCU20 - Fans to the fore

Sat, 22 Feb, 2025

#AFCU20 - Fans to the fore

Shenzhen: Fans illuminated the group stage of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 across the four venues, adding to the excitement of the action on the pitch.

Passionate support from the stands fueled Asia's rising stars who showcased desire and determination, much to the delight of fans who travelled thousands of kilometres to watch them in action.

The-AFC.com highlights just some of the fans who have lit up China 2025 with their support.

Preview - Quarter-final: Australia v Iraq

Sat, 22 Feb, 2025

Preview - Quarter-final: Australia v Iraq

Shenzhen: Australia are determined to raise the bar when they take on Iraq in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 quarter-final at the Baoan Sports Centre Stadium on Saturday.

Australia, the 2010 runners-up, cruised into the knockout stage with three wins, while five-time champions Iraq finished second in their group with two draws and a victory.

Preview - Quarter-final: Saudi Arabia v China PR

Sat, 22 Feb, 2025

Preview - Quarter-final: Saudi Arabia v China PR

Shenzhen: Saudi Arabia and China PR’s respective qualifying journeys to their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 quarter-final showdown on Saturday were as different as night and day.

Saudi Arabia had to wait until their final Group B tie, registering a come-from-behind 2-1 win over DPR Korea to book their berth. The three-time champions defeated Jordan 1-0 in their opening tie and had a player sent off in their 1-0 loss to a superior Iraq. 

Group A runners-up China PR, on the other hand, qualified with a match to spare. The East Asians beat Qatar 2-1 and went on a scoring spree against Kyrgyz Republic - winning 5-2 before falling 2-1 to table-toppers Australia.

#AFCU20 - Group Stage in Numbers

Fri, 21 Feb, 2025

#AFCU20 - Group Stage in Numbers

Shenzhen: After nine days of thrilling action and 75 goals scored, just eight teams remain in the battle for the coveted AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 title.

Join us at the-AFC.com as we dive into some of the standout stats from the group stage.

Lee challenges Korea Republic to maintain intensity

Fri, 21 Feb, 2025

Lee challenges Korea Republic to maintain intensity

Shenzhen: Korea Republic head coach Lee Chang-won expects more of the same intensity his side showed in their Group D tie against Japan in the quarter-finals of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025.

Trailing to Soma Kanda’s first half strike, Korea Republic kept pushing and were rewarded with a stoppage time strike from substitute Kim Tae-won to force the draw and finish as the Group D winners, with defending champions Uzbekistan their next opponents.

Syria’s Mohammad disappointed; Pereira proud of his Thai squad

Fri, 21 Feb, 2025

Syria’s Mohammad disappointed; Pereira proud of his Thai squad

Shenzhen: Syria and Thailand bid goodbye to the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 when they exited with a thrilling 2-2 draw that went down to the wire on Thursday.

While the Group D match had its moments in the first half, it sprung to life after the break when 10-man Thailand came back from a two-goal deficit in a 10-minute span courtesy of Thanawut Phochai’s brace.

Goals from Ahmad Al Kalou and Mohammad Al Mustafa saw the West Asians take the lead to ultimately finish third while Thailand closed their campaign at the bottom. 

Poyet happy as Jeonbuk achieve double target

Fri, 21 Feb, 2025

Poyet happy as Jeonbuk achieve double target

Jeonju: Head coach Gustavo Poyet was pleased with the performance of his fringe players as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC cruised into the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 quarter-finals on Thursday. 

Leading 4-0 after the first leg, Poyet opted to field players he wanted to assess as Park Jae-yong’s fifth minute goal saw Jeonbuk defeat Thailand’s Port FC 1-0 on the night and 5-0 on aggregate to set up a last eight meeting with Australia’s Sydney FC. 

Rankovic: Sailors ready to compete with the best

Fri, 21 Feb, 2025

Rankovic: Sailors ready to compete with the best

Singapore: Aleksandar Rankovic has warned that Lion City Sailors FC are ready to challenge the best after the Singapore side advanced to the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 quarter-finals in emphatic fashion on Thursday.

Leading 3-2 from the first leg, Sailors produced a scintillating performance to defeat Thailand’s Muangthong United 4-0 in the return leg of their Round of 16 tie with Rankovic confidently targeting an extended run, with Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima up next for his side.

Tanaka on the double as Japan beat Australia

Fri, 21 Feb, 2025

Tanaka on the double as Japan beat Australia

Miami: Mina Tanaka struck twice as Japan defeated Australia in a 4-0 win in the opening game of the SheBelieves Cup in Houston on Thursday, giving new head coach Nils Nielsen the perfect start.

Japan dominated from the outset, taking the lead in the sixth minute when a low shot from Fuka Nagano was directed into the bottom corner by Tanaka.