AFC Youth Panel focuses on expansion of AFC Elite Youth Scheme

Fri, 15 Mar, 2024

AFC Youth Panel focuses on expansion of AFC Elite Youth Scheme

Kuala Lumpur: Experts from across Asia gathered virtually to discuss ways to expand the reach of the AFC Elite Youth Scheme when the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) conducted its 1st AFC Youth Panel Meeting for the term 2024-2025 on Thursday. 

Chaired by AFC Technical Director Andy Roxburgh, the meeting was attended by 15 panel members from 13 Member Associations (MAs). 

Job done but there is still work to do, says Mariners’ Jackson

Fri, 15 Mar, 2024

Job done but there is still work to do, says Mariners’ Jackson

Bhubaneswar: Moments after Central Coast Mariners sailed into the Inter-Zone final of the AFC Cup™ 2023-24 on Thursday, head coach Mark Jackson applauded his players for “getting the job done”.

Australian champions Mariners played to a goalless draw against India’s Odisha FC, which took them through 4-0 on aggregate for a date with Kyrgyz Republic side Abdysh-Ata Kant in the Inter-Zone final next month. 

Stalemate takes Mariners through to Inter-Zone final

Thu, 14 Mar, 2024

Stalemate takes Mariners through to Inter-Zone final

Bhubaneswar: Central Coast Mariners confirmed their place in the Inter-Zone final of the  AFC Cup™ 2023-24 on Thursday as Mark Jackson’s side drew 0-0 with Odisha FC in Kalinga Stadium to complete a 4-0 aggregate win over the Indian Super League outfit.

Mikael Doka missed a first half penalty for the A-League side but it mattered little as the Australians had gone into the second leg with a comfortable 4-0 cushion from the first leg in Gosford last week.
 
Mariners will face Abdysh-Ata Kant from Kyrgyz Republic in the Inter-Zone final next month after Islam Ahmedov’s team completed their win over Taichung Futuro from Chinese Taipei on Wednesday.
 
The first leg of the Inter-Zone final will be held in Bishkek on April 17 with the return in Gosford one week later.

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.