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.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_asian_cup.html/video/afcu20-|-group-a-australia-5-1-kyrgyz-republic

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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.

Group A - MD1: Australia 5-1 Kyrgyz Republic

Thu, 13 Feb, 2025

Group A - MD1: Australia 5-1 Kyrgyz Republic

Shenzhen: A rampant Australia waltzed 5-1 past Kyrgyz Republic in their opening AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group A tie at the Baoan Sports Centre Stadium on Wednesday.

Luka Jovanovic and Musa Toure scored a brace each with Daniel Benne contributing one to ensure the Australians got off to a perfect start as they look to go beyond their AFC U20 Asian Cup™2023 quarter-final finish.

Kobe’s Yuruki expects more after Shanghai Port masterclass

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

Kobe’s Yuruki expects more after Shanghai Port masterclass

Kobe: Koya Yuruki is confident Vissel Kobe can continue raising the bar after leading his team from start to finish in their 4-0 defeat of Shanghai Port in their penultimate AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25  tie on Tuesday.

Yuruki starred with a goal and an assist as Kobe swept past Shanghai with Yoshinori Muto, Yuya Kuwasaki and Yuya Osako also finding the net to confirm the Japanese side their place in the knockout stage.

Cryzan: Hard work during winter key to Shandong’s triumph

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

Cryzan: Hard work during winter key to Shandong’s triumph

Jinan: Cryzan attributed Shandong Taishan FC’s pre-season training in wintry conditions for Tuesday’s 3-1 win against Gwangju FC, a result which has strengthened their claim for a place in the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25.

The dominant win achieved over the Korea Republic outfit saw Cryzan producing a noteworthy performance in which he assisted Zeca for the second goal after Valeri Qazaishvili had put the China PR side ahead.

Cryzan then put the icing on the cake for Shandong with the third goal in first half added time and the Brazilian wants the win to be the springboard for them to reach the Round of 16.

Frontale make new boss Hasebe proud

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

Frontale make new boss Hasebe proud

Pohang: Head coach Shigetoshi Hasebe had a debut to remember after he guided Kawasaki Frontale to a 4-0 success against FC Pohang Steelers as his new side marched into the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday.

Frontale were impressive in Hasebe’s first competitive outing since replacing the legendary Toru Oniki, with the Japanese side ending Pohang’s three-match winning streak at home in the competition as they sealed progression with a game to spare.

Bidoglio confident JDT will progress

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

Bidoglio confident JDT will progress

Gosford: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) head coach Hector Bidoglio is confident the 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners on Tuesday will be the platform for qualification to the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage.

The Malaysian champions took a significant step towards a place in the Round of 16 as the win - their first on the road this season - took them to 11 points, leaving destiny in their own hands ahead of a crunch final League Stage fixture against FC Pohang Steelers next week.

Olaroiu cautions Sharjah against complacency

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

Olaroiu cautions Sharjah against complacency

Amman: Cosmin Olaroiu was quick to caution his Sharjah FC players against complacency after they edged Al Hussein Club 1-0 in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

Caio Lucas’ first half strike gave Sharjah a slight edge going into the return leg with Olaroiu expecting a tough 90 minutes in a week’s time. 

We should have done better, says Tractor’s Skocic

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

We should have done better, says Tractor’s Skocic

Riffa: Dragan Skocic was not satisfied despite Tractor FC taking a 2-1 lead against Al Khaldiya SC in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

The Tractor FC head coach felt his players did not display their true capabilities and expects them to do better in next week’s return leg at home.