Q-final - Preview: Uzbekistan v Saudi Arabia

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

Q-final - Preview: Uzbekistan v Saudi Arabia

Doha: It will be a clash of titans at the Khalifa International Stadium when Uzbekistan play Saudi Arabia in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ quarter-finals on Friday. 

The tie is a rematch of the 2022 final, where Saudi Arabia emerged victorious, setting the stage for an intense game with Uzbekistan head coach Timur Kapadze confident of turning the tables after a dominant showing to top Group D. 

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Q-final - Preview: Iraq v Vietnam

Sat, 27 Apr, 2024

Q-final - Preview: Iraq v Vietnam

Al Wakrah: Iraq’s Radhi Shenaishil is throwing the gauntlet at Vietnam ahead of their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ quarter-final at Al Janoub Stadium on Friday.

Encouraged by his side’s improvement in the past two matches that saw them top Group C ahead of defending champions Saudi Arabia, Shenaishil is ready to assume the favourites tag but admits that a different strategy will be needed to combat Vietnam’s strengths. 

Al Ghamdi counting on Saudi Arabia’s experience; Jaloliddinov vows Uzbekistan will progress

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Al Ghamdi counting on Saudi Arabia’s experience; Jaloliddinov vows Uzbekistan will progress

Doha: Captain Faisal Al Ghamdi believes Saudi Arabia’s experienced players will be vital in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ quarter-final against Uzbekistan on Friday. 

It will be a repeat of the 2022 final at the Khalifa International Stadium, with Saudi Arabia - powered by eight players who were part of their title-winning squad - determined to go all the way at Qatar 2024.  

Iraq’s Muntadher relishing the pressure; Quan believes in Vietnam

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Iraq’s Muntadher relishing the pressure; Quan believes in Vietnam

Al Wakrah: Expectations are high back home for Iraq to reach the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™, which will also mean booking a place in the Paris Olympics 2024 and the pressure is something that Muntadher Mohammed is embracing.  

The Iraqi captain, who plays his club football in the Iran Pro League with Mes Rasfanjan, is confident that his side have learnt from their opening match defeat to Thailand and will not repeat the same mistakes against Vietnam.

#AFCU23 - Group Stage In Numbers

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

#AFCU23 - Group Stage In Numbers

Doha: The AFC U23 Asian Cup enters the knockout stage on Thursday with eight teams still in the hunt for the title and tickets to the Paris Olympics 2024.

Ahead of the quarter-final action which kicks off on Thursday, the-AFC.com takes a look at some key facts and figures from the exciting group stage.

Preview - Semi-final: Uzbekistan v IR Iran

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Preview - Semi-final: Uzbekistan v IR Iran

Bangkok: Uzbekistan will encounter their toughest challenge yet when they go head-to-head with Islamic Republic of Iran in the semi-finals of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 at the Bangkok Arena on Friday.

Both sides are in great form, having won their previous four matches en route to the semi-finals with Uzbekistan showing nerves of steel to defeat Vietnam in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, thanks to Sunatulla Juraev’s last gasp goal. 

Preview - Semi-final: Thailand v Tajikistan

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Preview - Semi-final: Thailand v Tajikistan

Bangkok: Thailand and Tajikistan are set for an exciting showdown in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 semi-finals at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium on Friday.

Thailand hold the psychological edge, having defeated Tajikistan in a memorable nine-goal thriller in the 2016 edition and more recently emerging 3-2 winners in the 2024 qualifiers.

Preview - Playoffs: Iraq v Afghanistan; Vietnam v Kyrgyz Republic

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Preview - Playoffs: Iraq v Afghanistan; Vietnam v Kyrgyz Republic

Bangkok: The four losing quarter-finalists of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 will compete for the sole remaining spot in the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 on Friday.

Iraq, who have never featured in the World Cup, will take on debutants Afghanistan, while Vietnam face Kyrgyz Republic.

The two winners will then face off with the victors to be Asia’s fifth representatives at the FIFA Futsal World Cup, joining Islamic Republic of Iran, Tajikistan, Thailand and hosts Uzbekistan.

Kewell: Marinos can handle any kind of pressure

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Kewell: Marinos can handle any kind of pressure

Yokohama: Harry Kewell expressed pride in the resilience of his players after Yokohama F. Marinos advanced to the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final on Wednesday.

In a frenetic encounter at a rain-soaked Yokohama International Stadium, the Japanese side took a 3-0 lead by the 30th minute and 3-1 on aggregate, only to be pegged back by Korea Republic's Ulsan Hyundai with the match then needing penalties to decide the outcome.
 
Amazingly, Marinos played almost 90 minutes with 10 men, with Takumi Kamijima having been sent off in the 39th minute but not only did they not concede again, Kewell's side won the shootout 5-4.   

Mariners’ Jackson eyes title, heartbreak for Abdysh-Ata’s Akhmedov

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Mariners’ Jackson eyes title, heartbreak for Abdysh-Ata’s Akhmedov

Gosford: Head coach Mark Jackson has firmly set his eyes on the big prize after his Central Coast Mariners side defeated FK Abdysh-Ata Kant 4-1 on aggregate to clinch a place in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 final against Lebanon’s Al Ahed FC.

The 46-year-old Englishman, while delighted that his players passed a  stiff test, does not see it as the end of a journey for his Australian outfit, saying the club from top to bottom stand together in their bid to win the final edition of the AFC Cup.