Preview - Group C: IR Iran v Indonesia

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

Preview - Group C: IR Iran v Indonesia

Shenzhen: Islamic Republic of Iran are confident of taking the points when they face Indonesia in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group C opener at the Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Centre Stadium on Thursday.

Head coach Hossein Abdi has called up 14 players who featured in the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ 2023 in Thailand to bolster the four-time winners’ chances of reaching the knockout stage.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_asian_cup.html/video/afc-u20-asian-cup™-china-2025-|-match-day-1-preview

Preview - Group C: Uzbekistan v Yemen

Thu, 13 Feb, 2025

Preview - Group C: Uzbekistan v Yemen

Shenzhen: Uzbekistan are looking to excel once again in the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ when they begin their China 2025 campaign with Group C action against Yemen on Thursday.

Having emerged champions on home soil in 2023, expectations are high that head coach Farhod Nishonov’s squad will defend their title.

Preview - Group B: Jordan v Saudi Arabia

Thu, 13 Feb, 2025

Preview - Group B: Jordan v Saudi Arabia

Shenzhen: Saudi Arabia will look to add to their three titles when they play Jordan in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group B opener at the Baoan Sports Centre Stadium on Thursday.

Jordan, meanwhile, will take their first step towards advancing past the quarter-finals since finishing fourth in the 2006 edition - their best showing.

Preview - Group B: Iraq v DPR Korea

Thu, 13 Feb, 2025

Preview - Group B: Iraq v DPR Korea

Shenzhen: Iraq and DPR Korea will meet in Group B of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 in what promises to be a thrilling affair between two former champions at the Longhua Cultural and Sports Centre Stadium on Thursday.

Five-time winners Iraq will be making a 10th consecutive appearance at the Finals, having last claimed the trophy in 2000 and finishing runners-up in 2023.

#AFCU17 graduates aiming to shine at China 2025

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

#AFCU17 graduates aiming to shine at China 2025

Shenzhen: The AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 kicks off on Wednesday, with 16 teams hoping to lay their hands on the coveted trophy.

Of the 368 players set to showcase their skills over the coming days, 69 (19%) were also part of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023, presenting us with some interesting stats.

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.