Lee strike gives Ulsan narrow advantage over Marinos

Thu, 18 Apr, 2024

Lee strike gives Ulsan narrow advantage over Marinos

Ulsan: Ulsan Hyundai FC will take a slender advantage to Japan for next week’s return meeting after claiming an entertaining 1-0 victory over Yokohama F. Marinos in the first leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 semi-finals on Wednesday.

The hosts opened the scoring at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium shortly before the 20-minute mark through Lee Dong-gyeong before Ulsan captain Joo Min-kyu hit the woodwork midway through the second half.

Two-time champions Ulsan, who confirmed their place in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with the win, could have added to their lead but in the end had to settle for the one-goal victory to leave the semi-final perfectly poised ahead of the second leg on April 24.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3020492.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3020494.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3020496.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3020498.html

Al Ahed's Mohammad, Al Nahda's Al Azani demand focus in return leg

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Al Ahed's Mohammad, Al Nahda's Al Azani demand focus in return leg

Karbala: Al Ahed head coach Raafat Mohammad has reminded his players to remain focused after their 1-0 win over Al Nahda in the first leg of the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 West Zone final on Tuesday. 

Mohammed Al Hallak's strike seconds into the second half ultimately settled the first leg but Mohammad said Lebanon's Al Ahed, the 2019 AFC Cup winners, are not through to the final yet. 

Saudi Arabia's Al Shehri taking it step by step; Tajikistan’s Ergashev rues defensive errors

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi Arabia's Al Shehri taking it step by step; Tajikistan’s Ergashev rues defensive errors

Doha: Head coach Saad Al Shehri was pleased that his Saudi Arabia side got off to a positive start in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ as he hopes to see his team grow into the tournament.

Rayan Hameed, Haitham Asiri and a brace from Aiman Yahya secured the defending champions a 4-2 win over Tajikistan with Al Shehri adamant that the best is yet to come from the West Asian side.

Ithsara lauds Thailand display, Shenaishil seeks Iraq response

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Ithsara lauds Thailand display, Shenaishil seeks Iraq response

Al Wakrah: Thailand head coach Ithsara Sritharo was left in admiration of his team's efforts after leading them to victory against Iraq on Tuesday in their opening match at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™.

The Southeast Asian side had only picked up two wins from their previous four campaigns combined but they turned in an impressive display to defeat the 2013 winners at the Al Janoub Stadium in their Group C encounter.
 
After Waris Choolthong put them ahead in the 26th minute, Thailand held the Iraqis off with a rugged defensive display before adding a second in the 65th minute through Teerasak Poeiphimai. While their opponents kept probing, Ithsara praised the way his team saw the game out. 

Hwang proud of Korea Republic’s persistence; UAE’s discipline pleases Broli

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Hwang proud of Korea Republic’s persistence; UAE’s discipline pleases Broli

Doha: Head coach Hwang Sun-hong praised Korea Republic for sticking to the game plan in their intense AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ Group B opener against United Arab Emirates on Tuesday. 

The 2020 champions, with over 70 percent possession and 16 shots in total, struggled to breach UAE's defence until Lee Young-jun's dramatic header in added time clinched the victory.

Fujita: Patience took Japan past China PR

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Fujita: Patience took Japan past China PR

Doha: Captain Joel Chima Fujita admitted Japan had to take a measured approach in their 1-0 win over China PR after Ryuyu Nishio’s early sending off put the young Samurai Blue at risk of defeat in their opening Group B clash in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ on Tuesday.

The St-Truiden midfielder was instrumental to the success of Go Oiwa’s side at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium alongside goal scorer Kuryu Matsuki after Nishio’s 17th minute expulsion forced the Japanese into a tactical rejig.
 
Matsuki had started the game in a more advanced role but, with central defender Nishio dismissed for lashing out at China PR’s Jia Feifan, Oiwa replaced Rihito Yamamoto with defender Seiji Kimura and the Japanese took a more conservative approach as a result.

Preview - Group A: Jordan v Qatar

Thu, 18 Apr, 2024

Preview - Group A: Jordan v Qatar

Doha: Qatar will once again go all out to secure three points on Thursday when they face Jordan in their second Group A encounter at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™, according to head coach Ilídio Vale.

Following their 2-0 win against Indonesia on Monday in the opening match, a second consecutive success at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium will see the hosts  become the first side to seal their place in the Knockout Stage and their third appearance in the last eight.

Preview - Group A: Indonesia v Australia

Thu, 18 Apr, 2024

Preview - Group A: Indonesia v Australia

Doha: Australia coach Tony Vidmar is relishing his side’s meeting in Group A of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ with Indonesia on Thursday as the Olyroos look to back up their opening day draw against Jordan with their first three points of the campaign at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.

Vidmar is attempting to steer Australia to a second successive Olympic Games qualification and only the country’s third since joining the Asian Football Confederation in 2006, and victory over Shin Tae-yong’s side would take his team a step closer to the knockout rounds.

Group B: Uzbekistan 3-2 Australia

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Group B: Uzbekistan 3-2 Australia

Bangkok: Uzbekistan came back from a goal down to seal a 3-2 win against Australia in their AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024 Group B opener at the Bangkok Arena on Wednesday.

Wade Giovenali gave Australia a first half lead before Uzbekistan came back fighting with goals from Akbar Usmonov and Dilshod Rakhmatov to seal the win.

Group A: Vietnam 1-1 Myanmar

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Group A: Vietnam 1-1 Myanmar

Bangkok: Myanmar claimed a historic first-ever point in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ after opening the 2024 edition with a 1-1 draw with Vietnam in Group A on Wednesday.

The enthralling encounter at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium saw Myanmar, appearing for just the second time after losing all three games in their debut in 2018, hold the 2016 semi-finalists to a stunning stalemate.