Ozeki: Team spirit helped Japan claim vital point against Syria

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Ozeki: Team spirit helped Japan claim vital point against Syria

Shenzhen: Japan’s Yuto Ozeki praised his team’s collective spirit following their hard-fought 2-2 draw with Syria in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group D tie on Monday.

Syria took a surprise lead in the 10th minute before Ozeki levelled the score. However, the West Asian side regained the advantage through Ahmad Soufi going into the break before substitute Rento Takaoka came to Japan’s rescue to snatch a point for the 2016 winners. 

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Lee’s innovativeness pays dividends for Korea Republic

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Lee’s innovativeness pays dividends for Korea Republic

Shenzhen: Head coach Lee Chang-won’s strategy to use Korea Republic's physical advantage and speed against Thailand paid off when his side overcame a one-goal deficit to emerge 4-1 winners in their U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group D tie on Monday.

The victory sent the 12-time champions into the knockout stage with a game to spare, having defeated Syria 2-1 in their opening tie.

Group D - MD2: Syria 2-2 Japan

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Group D - MD2: Syria 2-2 Japan

Shenzhen: Japan had to twice come from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw with Syria in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group D tie at the Longhua Cultural and Sports Centre Stadium on Monday.

The result took Japan to four points while Syria, who were defeated by Korea Republic in their opening match, will rue having to settle for a draw after producing a valiant performance.

Group D - MD2: Thailand 1-4 Korea Republic

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Group D - MD2: Thailand 1-4 Korea Republic

Shenzhen: Korea Republic confirmed their spot in the knockout stage of the U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 after coming from behind to defeat Thailand 4-1 at the Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch 1 on Monday.

The win assured Korea Republic a top two finish irrespective of their final Group D clash against Japan, who drew 2-2 with Syria earlier on Monday. 

The defeat eliminates Thailand, who lost 3-0 to Japan in their first match.

MD8: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 4-2 Al Gharafa SC (QAT)

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

MD8: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 4-2 Al Gharafa SC (QAT)

Jeddah: Al Ahli Saudi came from behind to end Al Gharafa’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 following their 4-2 victory at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium on Monday.

The Saudi Pro League side took provisional pole position with 22 points, three ahead of Al Hilal SFC who will face UAE’s Al Wasl on Tuesday. Qatar’s Al Gharafa, meanwhile, exited the tournament after their haul of seven points wasn't enough for a top eight finish.

Al Gharafa's defeat, together with Persepolis FC's draw with Al Nassr Club earlier on Monday, confirmed progression for Qatar's Al Rayyan SC and Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan with just one more spot to be filled in the West Zone.

MD8: Al Shorta (IRQ) 2-0 Al Ain FC (UAE)

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

MD8: Al Shorta (IRQ) 2-0 Al Ain FC (UAE)

Baghdad: Al Ain’s defence of their continental crown fizzled out in Baghdad on Monday as the side from the United Arab Emirates slipped to a 2-0 loss against Iraq’s Al Shorta to end their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 campaign at the bottom of the western league standings.

Mahmoud Al Mawas scored five minutes into the second half for the hosts before Lucas nodded in a late second to cap a miserable tournament for the two-times Asian champions, who completed their eight group stage matches with two points.

Al Shorta’s hopes of progressing to the last 16 had already been extinguished ahead of kick off due to Pakhtakor’s victory over Al Sadd earlier in the day but Mohamed Semida’s team salvaged some pride with a first win in the competition moving them onto six points.

MD8: Persepolis FC (IRN) 0-0 Al Nassr Club (KSA)

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

MD8: Persepolis FC (IRN) 0-0 Al Nassr Club (KSA)

Tehran: A much-changed Al Nassr Club held Persepolis FC to a goalless stalemate on Monday to put the Islamic Republic of Iran side’s AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage hopes in jeopardy.

The draw took Persepolis up to eighth spot in the West Zone standings but Qatar’s Al Gharafa SC and fellow Iranian side Esteghlal FC will overtake them with victories in their final matches.

MD8: Pakhtakor (UZB) 2-1 Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

MD8: Pakhtakor (UZB) 2-1 Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Tashkent: Pakhtakor confirmed their spot in the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Monday with a 2-1 win over already-qualified Al Sadd in Tashkent as the side from Uzbekistan moved into the top eight with their first victory of the campaign.

Brayan Riascos scored in the 18th and 56th minutes for the hosts either side of a Hassan Al Haydos 37th minute penalty as Pakhtakor doubled their goal tally for the league phase in a game that saw Al Sadd’s Adam Ounas and Sardor Sobrikhojaev for the home side sent off.

Pakhtakor's knockout stage ticket was confirmed after Al Ahli Saudi FC defeated AL Gharafa of Qatar 4-2 while Persepolis FC had to settle for a goalless draw with Al Nassr Club. Monday's results mean that Qatar's Al Rayyan SC are also through with only one spot now remaining to be filled.