Know the Coach: Kano Michihisa (Japan)

Thu, 14 Mar, 2024

Know the Coach: Kano Michihisa (Japan)

Tashkent: Kano Michihisa is one match away from further consolidating himself in his country's footballing history, having been in charge when Japan emerged champions of the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. 

Kano’s Japan will take on DPR Korea in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 final on Saturday, aiming to add to the six AFC U-19 Women’s Championship titles already in their trophy cabinet. 

Know the Coach: Ri Song ho (DPR Korea)

Fri, 15 Mar, 2024

Know the Coach: Ri Song ho (DPR Korea)

Tashkent: If there is one thing that has stood out about DPR Korea head coach Ri Song ho in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024, it is his fearlessness in making decisions.

A lesser coach may have self doubts but not Ri and his boldness has paid off with DPR Korea just a match away from winning the title. 

The East Asian side head into Saturday’s decider as the only unbeaten team, which includes a win against Japan - who they face in the final. 

Road to Final - Japan

Fri, 15 Mar, 2024

Road to Final - Japan

Tashkent: Japan will be determined to add to their six AFC U-19 Women's Championship titles when they take on DPR Korea in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 final on Saturday.

The-AFC.com takes a look at how the Young Nadeshiko reached the final.

Road to Final - DPR Korea

Fri, 15 Mar, 2024

Road to Final - DPR Korea

Tashkent: DPR Korea are one match away from winning the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 title.

Head coach Ri Song ho's side advanced to the decider in fine fashion and the-AFC.com retraces their journey to the final.

Hijikata determined to drive Japan to glory

Thu, 14 Mar, 2024

Hijikata determined to drive Japan to glory

Tashkent: Maya Hijikata revealed that Japan’s group stage defeat to DPR Korea was the catalyst for their 5-1 win against Australia in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 semi-finals on Wednesday.

Hijikata scored Japan’s third goal with a curling effort from inside the box but admitted that she was not completely satisfied with her performance.

Buoyant Choe expects to do more of the same for DPR Korea

Thu, 14 Mar, 2024

Buoyant Choe expects to do more of the same for DPR Korea

Tashkent: Choe Il Son produced a match-winning performance in DPR Korea’s AFC Women’s U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 semi-final win over Korea Republic with the forward hopeful she can do the same in Saturday’s final.

DPR Korea, while in control from the first blow of the whistle, couldn’t break down Korea Republic until Choe fired home from an acute angle just before the break, catching custodian Woo Seo-bin out.

Kewell proud of F. Marinos' resilience

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

Kewell proud of F. Marinos' resilience

Yokohama: Harry Kewell praised his Yokohama F Marinos players as the J1 League outfit advanced to the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League for the first time with a 1-0 win on Wednesday that sealed a 3-1 aggregate victory over Chinese Super League side Shandong Taishan.

Anderson Lopes’ 75th minute goal took Marinos through in front of their own fans despite playing much of the second half at Yokohama International Stadium with 10 men due to Katsuya Nagato’s sending off for a second yellow card in the 47th minute.

Akhmedov praises Abdysh-Ata’s determination

Thu, 14 Mar, 2024

Akhmedov praises Abdysh-Ata’s determination

Kaohsiung: Islom Akhmedov lauded his FK Abdysh-Ata Kant players for their fighting spirit in their 3-1 victory over Taichung Futuro FC in the second leg of their AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Inter-Zone semi-final on Wednesday.

The result at the Nanzih Football Stadium secured Abdysh-Ata an impressive 8-1 aggregate victory, with the Kyrgyz Republic side set for a showdown against either Australia’s Central Coast Mariners or Odisha FC of India in the Inter-Zone final.
 
Abdysh-Ata trailed going into the break on Wednesday but turned things around to walk away as comfortable winners.