Group B - MD1: Iraq 1-1 DPR Korea

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Group B - MD1: Iraq 1-1 DPR Korea

Shenzhen:: DPR Korea came back from a goal down to secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Iraq in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group B opener at the Longhua Cultural and Sports Centre Stadium on Thursday.

Substitute Kim Jin Song came to the East Asian side’s rescue in the 62nd minute, cancelling out Aymen Luay’s first half opener to force a share of the spoils.

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China PR players delight Djurdjevic; Sarriugarte laments Qatar’s slow start

Thu, 13 Feb, 2025

China PR players delight Djurdjevic; Sarriugarte laments Qatar’s slow start

Shenzhen: Head coach Dejan Djurdjevic was full of praise for his China PR side after they passed their first test at the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 with flying colours.

China PR began their Group A campaign with a 2-1 success against Qatar that showcased Djurdjevic’s desire to play entertaining football with a high-octane performance - particularly in the first half.

Jovanovic: Australia can only get better

Thu, 13 Feb, 2025

Jovanovic: Australia can only get better

Shenzhen: Two-goal hero Luka Jovanovic believes Australia, despite their 5-1 win, should have done better in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 opener against Kyrgyz Republic on Wednesday.

Jovanovic scored in the fourth and 26th minutes to add to Musa Toure’s brace and Daniel Benne’s solo strike at the Baoan Sports Centre Stadium to ensure an empathic start to their Group A campaign.

Preview - Group D: Korea Republic v Syria

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Preview - Group D: Korea Republic v Syria

Shenzhen: Head coach Lee Chang-woon does not expect the absence of several key players to stop Korea Republic from a record-extending 13th AFC U20 Asian Cup™ title. 

With qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 also at stake, Lee expects his squad to kick off their challenge with victory against Syria in their Group D opener on Friday.

Preview - Group D: Japan v Thailand

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Preview - Group D: Japan v Thailand

Shenzhen: Japan and Thailand are aiming to go all the way in the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025, with the two to square off in their Group D opener on Friday. 

Japan, who won their only title in 2016, were semi-finalists in 2018 and 2023 and runners-up on six occasions. Thailand did not qualify for the last showpiece, and their best showing since emerging champions in 1962 and 1969 was a third-place finish in 1994.

Both teams will go into the tie at Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base knowing that every point will make a difference in a tough group that also has 12-time winners Korea Republic and 1994 champions Syria. 

Buriram’s versatility has Loss beaming

Thu, 13 Feb, 2025

Buriram’s versatility has Loss beaming

Buriram: Thai champions Buriram United’s ability to adapt played a crucial role in their 2-1 win over Ulsan HD FC in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Wednesday, with the result taking them closer to the knockout stage.

Head coach Osmar Loss praised the versatility of his players after they changed their approach during the match, with Suphanat Mueanta’s stoppage time winner taking Buriram up to 11 points.

Holland applauds Yokohama’s resilience

Thu, 13 Feb, 2025

Holland applauds Yokohama’s resilience

Yokohama: Yokohama F. Marinos marked their return to competitive action with a 1-0 win over Shanghai Shenhua in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Wednesday as the Japanese side regained top spot in the East Zone standings.

The tie also saw Steve Holland making his competitive debut as head coach with the Englishman proud of how his players went about their task.

Totchtawan optimistic of Bangkok’s chances after late fightback

Thu, 13 Feb, 2025

Totchtawan optimistic of Bangkok’s chances after late fightback

Sydney: Bangkok United head coach Totchtawan Sripan was filled with pride following his team's dramatic 2-2 draw with Sydney FC in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 on Wednesday.

Thitiphan Puangjan's last-minute heroics in stoppage time ensured the Thai side will head into the return leg at home on level terms.  

Skibee’s second half tinkering pays off for Sanfrecce

Thu, 13 Feb, 2025

Skibee’s second half tinkering pays off for Sanfrecce

Nam Dinh: Sanfrecce Hiroshima head coach Michael Skibee was proud of his charges following their 3-0 win over Vietnam’s Nam Dinh in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

Nam Dinh held their own for the opening 45 minutes before Sanfrecce turned on the power in the second half with goals from Sota Nakamura, Satoshi Tanaka and Sota Koshimichi to give the Japanese an overwhelming advantage going into the return leg.

The introduction of Koshimichi and Nakamura in the second half paid off handsomely for Skibee, who took advantage of Nam Dinh’s fatigue. 

Al Wakrah’s Asbaghi, Al Taawoun’s Abdali confident of advancing

Thu, 13 Feb, 2025

Al Wakrah’s Asbaghi, Al Taawoun’s Abdali confident of advancing

Al Wakrah: Poya Asbaghi of Al Wakrah SC and his Al Taawoun FC counterpart Mohammed Al Abdali are equally confident of progression after their sides battled to a 2-2 draw in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

Qatar’s Al Wakhrah had to come from behind twice to hold Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun with head coach Asbaghi believing his side’s resilience will take them through in next week’s return leg.