Japan’s Nagasoto calls time on illustrious career

Thu, 06 Mar, 2025

Japan’s Nagasoto calls time on illustrious career

Tokyo: FIFA Women's World Cup winner Yuki Nagasato, who made history with a brief spell playing for a men's team, said she had given "every last drop" as the Japanese striker announced her retirement from football.

The 37-year-old, part of the Japan team that lifted the FIFA World Cup in 2011, brought the curtain down on a 23-year career that saw her play in Germany, England, the United States, Australia and her home country.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3074312

Vote for your Best AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Goal

Tue, 04 Mar, 2025

Vote for your Best AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Goal

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 drew to a conclusion on Saturday, March 1 with Australia crowned the new champions after defeating Saudi Arabia on penalties in the final. 

As many as 93 goals were scored in just 31 matches as Asia’s next generation of talent delivered a tournament to remember. 

Following the final in Shenzhen, the-AFC.com picks 10 of the best strikes from across the competition. Check out the goals and don’t forget to vote for your favourite at the foot of the article! 

R16 - 1st Leg: Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) 1-0 Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Thu, 06 Mar, 2025

R16 - 1st Leg: Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) 1-0 Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Shanghai: Shanghai Shenhua FC’s improved second half performance saw them earn a 1-0 win against Kawasaki Frontale in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg match on Wednesday.

After a balanced first half, Shenhua upped the ante after the break with Kota Takai’s own goal giving the China PR side the advantage heading into next week's second leg.

R16 - 1st Leg: Vissel Kobe (JPN) 2-0 Gwangju FC (KOR)

Thu, 06 Mar, 2025

R16 - 1st Leg: Vissel Kobe (JPN) 2-0 Gwangju FC (KOR)

Kobe: Vissel Kobe will take a 2-0 lead into the second leg of their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 clash with Gwangju FC in Korea Republic next week after the J1 League champions picked up a comfortable first leg victory at Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium on Wednesday.

Yuya Osako opened the scoring in the 20th minute before setting up Haruya Ide to head in his side’s second nine minutes later to put Takayuki Yoshida’s side in prime position to book a place in the draw for April’s quarter-finals.

Jaissle expects more of the same from Al Ahli

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

Jaissle expects more of the same from Al Ahli

Al Rayyan: Matthias Jaissle expects Al Ahli Saudi FC to maintain the same tenacity in the return leg of their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie against Al Rayyan next week.

Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli maintained their sublime continental form to walk away with a 3-1 victory on Tuesday with a place in the quarter-finals all-but-assured. 

Moreira hails organised Pakhtakor, Jesus promises real Al Hilal in return leg

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

Moreira hails organised Pakhtakor, Jesus promises real Al Hilal in return leg

Tashkent: Pedro Moreira applauded his players after Pakhtakor stuck to their game plan to stun Al Hilal SFC 1-0 in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg tie on Tuesday.

Flamarion scored in the 29th minute to secure Pakhtakor a result that had not been thought possible with the Uzbekistan side clinching victory with a resolute defensive performance.

Muscat pleased with Shanghai Port’s performance despite defeat

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

Muscat pleased with Shanghai Port’s performance despite defeat

Shanghai: Shanghai Port head coach Kevin Muscat believes his side’s tactical approach was effective despite falling to a 1-0 defeat against Yokohama F. Marinos in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg on Tuesday.

Anderson Lopes’ 30th-minute strike proved to be the difference at Pudong Stadium, but Muscat was encouraged by his team’s performance after switching to a back-three formation, a departure from their usual defensive setup.

QF - 1st Leg: East Bengal (IND) 0-1 FC Arkadag (TKM)

Thu, 06 Mar, 2025

QF - 1st Leg: East Bengal (IND) 0-1 FC Arkadag (TKM)

Kolkata: FC Arkadag carved out a hard-fought 1-0 win over India’s East Bengal in their AFC Challenge League™ 2024/25 quarter-final first leg tie at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium on Wednesday.

The Turkmenistan side, playing on the defensive for a large part of the match, will look to further block a more experienced Indian team when they meet in the second leg next week.

QF - 1st Leg: Al Arabi SC (KUW) 1-0 Al Seeb Club (OMA)

Thu, 06 Mar, 2025

QF - 1st Leg: Al Arabi SC (KUW) 1-0 Al Seeb Club (OMA)

Sulaibikhat: Substitute Bandar Al Salamah struck a stoppage time winner as Al Arabi SC sealed a dramatic 1-0 win over Al Seeb Club in their AFC Challenge League™ 2024/25 quarter-final first leg tie on Wednesday.

Both sides missed opportunities in a keenly-contested affair at Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah Stadium before Al Salamah - on for just 11 minutes and subsequently sent off - nodded home the winner which means Al Arabi will have a lead to protect when the sides meet in next week’s return leg at Al Seeb Stadium.