Al Hilal stay on course

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

Al Hilal stay on course

Jeddah: Al Hilal SFC reached the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 semi-finals after a 2-0 win over Al Ittihad in the second leg of the quarter-finals at King Abdullah Sports City on Tuesday, setting a new world record of 28 consecutive wins in the process.

Runners-up in the previous edition, Al Hilal had also beaten their countrymen 2-0 in the first leg in Riyadh a week earlier and will now face UAE’s Al Ain in the next round for a place in the final.

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Seol strike takes Ulsan past Jeonbuk

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

Seol strike takes Ulsan past Jeonbuk

Ulsan: Ulsan Hyundai FC booked their place in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League™ for the third time in four editions after they edged domestic rivals Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 1-0 in the second leg of their quarter-final at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium on Tuesday.

After the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Jeonju last week, a Seol Young-woo volley in the dying seconds of the first half proved to be the difference this time round as Korean champions Ulsan progressed to the final four where they will face either Shandong Taishan of China PR or Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos.

Preview - QF 2nd leg: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) 2 v 1 Shandong Taishan (Chn)

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

Preview - QF 2nd leg: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) 2 v 1 Shandong Taishan (Chn)

Yokohama: Shandong Taishan have to do something they have failed three times already this season - defeat Yokohama F. Marinos when they two sides meet in the second leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Wednesday. 

F. Marinos walked away from the first leg with a 2-1 win and the Japanese side will be confident of finishing the job at the Yokohama International Stadium.

Preview - Inter-Zone SF 2nd Leg: Taichung Futuro FC (TPE) 0 v 5 FK Abdysh-Ata Kant (KGZ)

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

Preview - Inter-Zone SF 2nd Leg: Taichung Futuro FC (TPE) 0 v 5 FK Abdysh-Ata Kant (KGZ)

Kaohsiung: Taichung Futuro FC have it all to do when they face FK Abdysh-Ata Kant in the return leg of their AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Inter-Zone semi-final at the Nanzih Football Stadium on Wednesday.

The Chinese Taipei side have to overturn a five-goal deficit after Abdysh-Ata’s dominant display in last week’s first leg but head coach Peng Wu-sung is optimistic about his team’s chances of reaching the next round.

Preview - SF: Australia v Japan

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

Preview - SF: Australia v Japan

Tashkent: Australia are confident of getting the better of Japan when they meet in the AFC Women’s U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 semi-finals at the JAR Stadium on Wednesday.

Australia were the only team to advance to the knockout stage with a perfect record of three wins and head coach Leah Blayney expects the Young Matildas to continue to impress.

Preview - SF: DPR Korea v Korea Republic

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

Preview - SF: DPR Korea v Korea Republic

Tashkent: DPR Korea head coach Ri Song ho expects a titanic clash when his side take on Korea Republic in the semi-finals of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 at Do’stlik Stadium on Wednesday.

A strong finish by Ri’s side saw them topping Group B after edging Japan in their final fixture and the tactician is counting on the return of centre-back Han Hong ryon to drive his team into the decider, having made seven appearances in the AFC U1-9 Women’s Championship final.  

Maya Hijikata: From kindergarten kickabouts to prolific scorer

Tue, 12 Mar, 2024

Maya Hijikata: From kindergarten kickabouts to prolific scorer

Tashkent: Meet Maya Hijikata - a player who has all the qualities to be among Japan’s next generation of stars.

Already impressing in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024, the gifted forward’s passion for football is immense, as is her determination to bang in goals.

Chinnama determined to take Australia to the next level

Tue, 12 Mar, 2024

Chinnama determined to take Australia to the next level

Tashkent: Naomi Chinnama's match-winning performance against Korea Republic on Matchday One has sparked her determination to propel Australia all the way in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024.

The Melbourne City defender has solidified her position at the core of the Australian defence and is keen to excel again in the semi-final against Japan on Wednesday.

Korea Republic’s Kim enjoying new role

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

Korea Republic’s Kim enjoying new role

Tashkent: Kim Shin-ji has been playing in an unfamiliar position in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 but the midfielder has risen to the occasion by emerging as a key player in Korea Republic’s surge into the semi-finals. 

Normally an attacking midfielder with her club side Uiduk University, Kim has been thrust into a more defensive role by head coach Park Youn-jeong at Uzbekistan 2024 with the 20-year-old relishing the challenge.   

DPR Korea's 2006 world champs an inspiration for Ham

Tue, 12 Mar, 2024

DPR Korea's 2006 world champs an inspiration for Ham

Tashkent: When DPR Korea went all the way to win the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2006 trophy, it sparked a growth of interest in the women’s game in the East Asian country.

Several generations of players were born with Ham Ju hyang - who is proudly representing her nation in the ongoing AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 - among those who grew up wanting to emulate the players of 2006.

DPR Korea stunned the world with their feat in Russia 18 years ago, winning every single one of their seven matches enroute to the title, and it has become the guiding point for Ham.