Preview - Group A: Qatar v Australia

Sat, 15 Feb, 2025

Preview - Group A: Qatar v Australia

Shenzhen: Qatar can expect to have their hands full when they take on Australia in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group A clash at the Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Centre Stadium on Saturday.

The West Asian side desperately need a win after opening their campaign with a 2-1 defeat against China PR on Wednesday but will take heart from an improved second half performance.

Australia, however, will be on a high after their 5-1 defeat of Kyrgyz Republic.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_asian_cup.html/video/afc-u20-asian-cup™-china-2025-|-match-day-2-preview

Preview - Group A: Kyrgyz Republic v China PR

Sat, 15 Feb, 2025

Preview - Group A: Kyrgyz Republic v China PR

Shenzhen: China PR will look to make it two wins out of two when they face a wounded Kyrgyz Republic in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group A tie on Saturday.

The hosts will be on a high after opening their campaign with a 2-1 win against Qatar but head coach Dejan Djurdjevic has warned his players against underestimating a Kyrgyz Republic side who will be determined to bounce back from their 5-1 defeat against Australia.

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.

Soares praises Saudi Arabia’s defensive discipline after Jordan triumph

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Soares praises Saudi Arabia’s defensive discipline after Jordan triumph

Shenzhen: Head coach Marcos Soares expressed both relief and satisfaction after Saudi Arabia secured a 1-0 win against Jordan in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group B opener on Thursday.

After a cagey first half at Baoan Sports Centre Stadium, Saudi Arabia came out with renewed intensity, breaking the deadlock just a minute after the restart through Saad Haqawi and then keeping Jordan at bay to secure the three points.

Abdi wants more from his IR Iran side

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Abdi wants more from his IR Iran side

Shenzhen: Islamic Republic of Iran head coach Hossein Abdi admitted his team could have performed better in their opening AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 match despite controlling  the game from the start.

The four-time champions defeated Indonesia 3-0 in Group C in a match that came alive in the second half. Hesam Nafari opened proceedings five minutes after the start, but the second and third goals from Esmaeil Gholizadeh and Mobin Dehghan only materialised in the 63rd and 70th minutes.

Urinboev proud of Uzbekistan’s resolve; Albadani rues Yemen’s luck

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Urinboev proud of Uzbekistan’s resolve; Albadani rues Yemen’s luck

Shenzhen: Uzbekistan kicked off their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group A campaign with a test of character, having to slog for a 1-0 win against Yemen on Thursday.

Despite the difficulties suffered in the match - especially in the second half as Yemen threatened to draw level on numerous occasions - goalscorer Muhammadali Urinboev preferred to see it as a match which highlighted the belief and determination of the Uzbekistan squad.

Mousa expects Iraq to bounce back

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Mousa expects Iraq to bounce back

Shenzhen: Muslim Mousa delivered a strong performance in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 opener, helping his side secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw against DPR Korea at the Longhua Cultural and Sports Centre Stadium on Thursday.

Iraq took the lead in the first half through Aymen Luay but DPR Korea responded after the hour mark, with Kim Jin-Song capitalising on a defensive lapse to equalise.

Standing at 179 cm tall, Mousa commanded the backline with authority, marshaling the six-yard box as captain before passing the armband to Amoori Faisal, who was introduced late in the second half.

#ACLElite - MD7 (East): Five takeaways

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

#ACLElite - MD7 (East): Five takeaways

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Seven of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 East Zone saw the cast for the Round of 16 start to take shape with four teams having confirmed their spots.

The teams are back in action again this coming week, with all places to be filled and before the action begins, the-AFC.com takes a look at several interesting facts and figures from Matchday Seven.

Mixed emotions for Sailors’ Rankovic despite first leg win

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Mixed emotions for Sailors’ Rankovic despite first leg win

Nonthaburi: Lion City Sailors FC’s 3-2 win against Muangthong United in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg tie on Thursday left head coach Aleksandar Rankovic both pleased and disappointed.

Having seen his side take a 3-0 lead by the 27th minute, a red card to Song Ui-yong eight minutes into the second half swung the game in favour of Muangthong to leave the second leg finely poised. 

Jeonbuk’s lightning start delights Poyet; Port’s defensive frailties worry Wasapol

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Jeonbuk’s lightning start delights Poyet; Port’s defensive frailties worry Wasapol

Pathum Thani: Gustavo Poyet began life as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC head coach on the right foot after an impressive 4-0 win over Port FC in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg tie on Thursday.

The former Uruguay international saw his side score twice in each half through Park Jin-seop, Andrea Campagno (2) and Song Min-kyu as the Korea Republic club took a commanding lead for the return leg at Jeonju World Cup Stadium.