Australia heading in the right direction, says Morgan

Sun, 16 Feb, 2025

Australia heading in the right direction, says Morgan

Shenzhen: Head coach Trevor Morgan is excited at what’s to come for Australia in the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 after their 3-1 win on Saturday clinched the Young Socceroos a place in the quarter-finals.

Maximum points from their two matches in Group A saw Australia join China PR in the next stage of the tournament with Morgan praising his charges for showing they could flourish even after going behind early in the game.

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Group A - MD2: Qatar 1-3 Australia

Sun, 16 Feb, 2025

Group A - MD2: Qatar 1-3 Australia

Shenzhen: Australia confirmed their spot in the knockout stage of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 after defeating Qatar 3-1 in their Group A tie on Saturday.

Goals from Alex Badolato, Dean Bosnjak and Daniel Bennie saw Australia roar to the three points after going behind to Mohamed Khaled Gouda’s goal.

Australia’s knockout stage berth was sealed with a match to spare after China PR defeated Kyrgyz Republic 5-2 later on Saturday. The top two - who are both on six points - will meet on Tuesday to decide the group winners.

Group A - MD2: Kyrgyz Republic 2-5 China PR

Sun, 16 Feb, 2025

Group A - MD2: Kyrgyz Republic 2-5 China PR

Shenzhen: China PR sealed their spot in the knockout stage of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 after defeating Kyrgyz Republic 5-2 in their Group A fixture at the Baoan Sports Centre Stadium on Saturday.

Umar Madavinov cancelled out Liu Chengyu’s opener before China PR retook the lead through Wang Yudong just before the break. The home side then capitalised on Artem Istrashkin’ red card, with Mao Weijie adding their third. Yryskeldi Madanov pulled one back but Zhu Pengyu settled the tie with two late goals.

The win means Australia have also confirmed their quarter-final spot with the top two to meet on Tuesday to decide the group winners. 

Preview - Group B: DPR Korea v Jordan

Sun, 16 Feb, 2025

Preview - Group B: DPR Korea v Jordan

Shenzhen: Head coach Pieter Meindertsma has admitted his Jordan side have a mountain to climb in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 clash against DPR Korea on Sunday.

The West Asians lost 1-0 to Saudi Arabia in their opening Group B tie, a result which left them at the bottom of the table following DPR Korea’s 1-1 draw against Iraq.

Preview - Group B: Saudi Arabia v Iraq

Sun, 16 Feb, 2025

Preview - Group B: Saudi Arabia v Iraq

Shenzhen: Three-time winners Saudi Arabia, having narrowly won their opening match at the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025, expect an equally nail-biting encounter when they take on Iraq on Sunday.

The West Asians edged Jordan 1-0 to top Group B, but head coach Marcos Soares knows his side’s time in the spotlight will be under threat when they face five-time champions Iraq.

Preview - Group C: Indonesia v Uzbekistan

Sun, 16 Feb, 2025

Preview - Group C: Indonesia v Uzbekistan

Shenzhen: Indonesia desperately need a win when they meet defending champions Uzbekistan in their second AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group C match on Sunday. 

The opening match defeat against Islamic Republic of Iran has put the Souheast Asian side in a precarious position with only the two top teams advancing to the knockout stage, with head coach Indra Syafri counting on familiarity to work in their favour.

Preview - Group C: Yemen v IR Iran

Sun, 16 Feb, 2025

Preview - Group C: Yemen v IR Iran

Shenzhen: Head coach Hossein Abdi has asked his Islamic Republic of Iran side to be cautious of Yemen when the sides meet in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group C tie at the Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch 1 on Sunday.

Yemen, who have 10 players from that squad in Shenzhen, held Iran to a goalless draw before eventually falling 4-2 in a penalty shootout in the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ 2023 quarter-finals in Thailand.

With that in mind, Abdi has warned his players that they cannot underestimate Yemen.

Funakoshi proud of Japan's classy show

Sat, 15 Feb, 2025

Funakoshi proud of Japan's classy show

Shenzhen: Japan head coach Yuzo Funakoshi was in an upbeat mood after his side registered a satisfying 3-0 win over Thailand at the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025.

The 2023 quarter-finalists dominated from the start in their Group D opening match, and their three goals saw them leave Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch 1 with aim achieved.

Korea Republic's Lee cautious after nervy Syria win

Sat, 15 Feb, 2025

Korea Republic's Lee cautious after nervy Syria win

Shenzhen: Korea Republic made a winning start to their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group D campaign but the 2-1 triumph against Syria was not without complications.  

Head coach Lee Chang-won admitted that nerves got to his inexperienced players after they almost let slip a 2-0 advantage, with Syria forcing them on the back foot for much of the second half.

Fitness issues were another concern for Lee with Son Seung-min, Ha Jeong-woo and Baek Ming-gyu taken off before the hour mark.

#ACLElite - Shandong’s Qazaishvili wins MD7 (East) best goal poll

Mon, 17 Feb, 2025

#ACLElite - Shandong’s Qazaishvili wins MD7 (East) best goal poll

Kuala Lumpur: Valeri Qazaishvili emerged the winner of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 East Zone's Matchday 7 best goals poll with 61 percent of the votes.

Qazaishvili's fantastic strike for Shandong Taishan paved the way for the China PR side to collect three points against Korea Republic's Gwangju FC, with the forward advancing to the semi-finals.

Stay tuned for the West Zone best goal of Matchday 8, with voting to start on February 21.