Marinos defeat Ulsan in semi-final thriller

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Marinos defeat Ulsan in semi-final thriller

Yokohama: Yokohama F. Marinos advanced to the AFC Champions League™ final for the first time after beating Ulsan Hyundai FC 5-4 on penalties in the second leg of the semi-final on Wednesday following a 3-3 draw on aggregate.

A pulsating first half at Yokohama International Stadium saw Asahi Uenaka’s double and a goal from Anderson Lopes put the Japanese side 3-1 up on aggregate.
 
However, a Matheus Sales header and a penalty from Darijan Bojanic brought the aggregate scoreline level at the interval as the hosts were also reduced to 10 men after Takumi Kamijima was dismissed.

With no further goals in the second half or extra time, the tie went to penalties where Eduardo struck the winning spot-kick after Yokohama goalkeeper William Popp had saved from Kim Min-woo as Yokohama booked a date with the United Arab Emirates’ Al Ain FC in next month’s final.

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Eisa proud to have helped Al Ain advance

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Eisa proud to have helped Al Ain advance

Riyadh: Goalkeeper Khaled Eisa was thrilled to have played a major role in Al Ain securing passage to the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final on Tuesday.

The captain had to be at his best as Al Ain limited Al Hilal SFC to a 2-1 win in the return leg of their semi-final with the United Arab Emirates side advancing 5-4 on aggregate.

Late goals send Mariners into final

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Late goals send Mariners into final

Gosford: Australia’s Central Coast Mariners are through to the final of the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 after defeating FK Abdysh-Ata Kant of Kyrgyz Republic 3-0 in the second leg of the Inter-Zone final on Wednesday.

After a goalless first half at Central Coast Stadium, Miguel Di Pizio found the breakthrough for the hosts in the 78th minute before a goal from Mikael Doka and a second from Di Pizio sealed their 4-1 aggregate win and booked the title clash with Lebanon’s Al Ahed FC on May 5.

Melki: Al Ahed worked really hard for the victory

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Melki: Al Ahed worked really hard for the victory

Muscat: George Melki hailed his teammates after Al Ahed booked their place in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 final at Al Nahda's expense on Tuesday.

Leading 1-0 after the first leg, Lebanon's Al Ahed found themselves pegged back by Omer Al Malki's equaliser.
 
Lee Erwin, however, scored twice after coming off the bench with Walter Bwalya's late goal proving to be a mere consolation as 2019 AFC Cup winners Al Ahed advanced 3-2 on aggregate.

#AFCU23 Vote for your best goal of the group stage

Tue, 23 Apr, 2024

#AFCU23 Vote for your best goal of the group stage

Doha: Spectacular goals lit up the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ group stage with the tournament heading into the business end with not only the coveted trophy at stake but also places in the Paris Olympics 2024.

Ahead of what will surely be exciting quarter-final ties, the-AFC.com invites you - the fans - to pick your favourite goal from an action-packed group stage.

Japan's Fujita believes; Aiash urges Qatar to focus

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Japan's Fujita believes; Aiash urges Qatar to focus

Doha: Japan midfielder Joel Fujita is confident he and his teammates can prevail in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ quarter-final against Qatar despite head coach Go Oiwa’s rotation policy meaning the Samurai Blue have made numerous changes throughout the tournament.

The Belgium-based Fujita captained the team in their opening 1-0 win over China PR but has not started since as Oiwa has given the majority of his squad the opportunity to feature in the group phase, with the Japanese advancing as second place finishers from Group B.
 
But with the competition now in the knockout phase and the prospect of three intense games over the next 10 days for the teams that feature in the final on May 3, Fujita believes the Japanese are ready for the task ahead.

No pressure on Indonesia says Rizky, Byun warns Korea Republic against complacency

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

No pressure on Indonesia says Rizky, Byun warns Korea Republic against complacency

Doha: Indonesia will go in search of more history on Thursday when they take on Korea Republic in the quarter-finals of the  AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™.

The Southeast Asians have enjoyed a dream run on their tournament debut so far by recovering impressively from defeat in their opening match to clinch two straight wins in a row in Group A.
 
A gritty 1-0 success over Australia was followed by a dominant 4-1 triumph against Jordan that sealed their place in the last eight and captain Rizky Ridho asserted that the team is not feeling weighed down by expectations ahead of another big match.

IR Iran turn on the power

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

IR Iran turn on the power

Bangkok: Islamic Republic of Iran booked their place in the semi-finals of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 after defeating Kyrgyz Republic 6-1 in their last eight tie at the Bangkok Arena on Wednesday.

The win meant the 12-time champions also punched their ticket to the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024, with a meeting against Uzbekisttan or Vietnam in Friday’s semi-finals.

Kyrgyz Republic, meanwhile, will need to wait for the outcome of the day’s last quarter-final between Uzbekistan and Vietnam to learn whether their campaign has concluded, or they will return to action in Friday’s playoffs.

Tajikistan edge Afghanistan to create history

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Tajikistan edge Afghanistan to create history

Bangkok: Fayzali Sardorov’s extra-time winner saw Tajikistan edge out Afghanistan 2-1 in Wednesday’s AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024 quarter-final to secure a place in the semi-finals for the first time and qualification for a maiden FIFA Futsal World Cup.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, will need to wait for the outcome of the day’s last quarter-final tie between Uzbekistan and Vietnam to learn whether their campaign has concluded, or they will return to action in Friday’s play-off semi-finals.