Svay Rieng hold off Madura to advance

Fri, 18 Apr, 2025

Svay Rieng hold off Madura to advance

Gresik: Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng booked their place in the AFC Challenge League 2024/25 final as the Cambodians drew 3-3 with Indonesia’s Madura United at the Gelora Joko Samudro Stadium in Gresik on Thursday to complete a 6-3 aggregate semi-final win.

Pep Munoz’s side will take on Arkadag from Turkmenistan on May 10 after successfully building on a 3-0 victory in Phnom Penh in the first leg last week to progress to the club’s first continental final.

Gabriel Silva gave Svay Rieng the perfect start in the fifth minute before Pedro Monteiro levelled for the home side in the 27th minute. Bounphachan Bounkong restored the visitors’ lead a minute later and Min Ratanak increased Svey Rieng’s advantage.

But a strike by Andi Irfan and an own goal by goalkeeper Vireak Dara moments after Haudi Abdillah had been sent off for the hosts earned Madura United a second leg draw in front of their own fans.

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Rankovic applauds Lion City Sailors' focus

Thu, 17 Apr, 2025

Rankovic applauds Lion City Sailors' focus

Sydney: Lion City Sailors head coach Aleksandar Rankovic praised his players for remaining focused despite Sydney FC threatening to mount a fightback in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 semi-final second leg on Wednesday.

Leading 2-0 from the first leg, Singapore's Sailors looked to have weathered Sydney's pressure but Joe Lolley's 85th minute strike for the Australian side set up a grandstand finish at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Rankovic's team, however, held on to advance and create history as the first side from Singapore to make an Asian final.

Know Your Teams: Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Thu, 17 Apr, 2025

Know Your Teams: Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Kuala Lumpur: Al Hilal SFC will head into the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals 2024/25 determined to lift the Asian title for a fifth time.

Jorge Jesus' side were denied by eventual champions Al Ain FC of the UAE in the semi-finals of the 2024/25 edition and will spare no effort in making sure they go all the way.

DPR Korea captain Yu Jin wants to emulate women’s success

Wed, 16 Apr, 2025

DPR Korea captain Yu Jin wants to emulate women’s success

Taif: DPR Korea captain Kim Yu Jin has urged his team to emulate the success of their female counterparts by going the distance at the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025.

The DPR Korea women’s U17 and U20 teams were the finest footballing talent last year, winning the Asian and world titles. 

Koo believes Korea Republic’s steely determination will secure title

Wed, 16 Apr, 2025

Koo believes Korea Republic’s steely determination will secure title

Taif: Korea Republic’s AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 campaign has been anything but smooth but the experience gained from it is making Koo Hyeon-bin believe a title tilt is possible.

The East Asian side face a daunting task against hosts Saudi Arabia in the semi-finals on Thursday as they chase a third title following successes in 1986 and 2022, with Koo pinning his hopes on the incredible team attitude that has developed over the course of the tournament.

Semi-Automated Offside Technology to be implemented at #ACLElite Finals Jeddah 2025

Tue, 15 Apr, 2025

Semi-Automated Offside Technology to be implemented at #ACLElite Finals Jeddah 2025

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will mark another milestone in match officiating with the introduction of the Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) system at the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite) Finals Jeddah 2025.

It will be the maiden implementation of SAOT at an AFC club competition, following the system’s debut at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, which saw the AFC become the first Confederation in world football to apply the system at the Continental Men’s national team level.

Australia's Fowler suffers injury blow

Wed, 16 Apr, 2025

Australia's Fowler suffers injury blow

Sydney: Mary Fowler faces a race against time to be ready for her country’s hosting of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ next year after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament rupture in her right knee while playing for Manchester City.

The 22-year-old forward sustained the injury during City’s 2-0 loss to cross-city rivals Manchester United in the semi-finals of the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday and will spend a prolonged period on the sidelines.