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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

#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.