Semi-final, 1st Leg: What they said

Sat, 20 Apr, 2024

Semi-final, 1st Leg: What they said

Kuala Lumpur: Al Ain FC and Ulsan Hyundai FC will travel to the second legs of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 semi-finals with leads to defend after they posted wins over Al Hilal SFC and Yokohama F. Marinos in the first leg last Wednesday. 

The biggest story of the week was inaugural winners Al Ain claiming a memorable 4-2 win over Saudi powerhouse and four-time Asian champions Al Hilal, while in their quest for a third continental title, Ulsan edged Yokohama 1-0. 
 
Before turning our attention to next week’s all-important return meetings, the-AFC.com looks back at what those involved had to say. 

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Semi-finals: 1st Leg in Numbers

Fri, 19 Apr, 2024

Semi-finals: 1st Leg in Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 witnessed some exhilarating action as the first legs of the two semi-final contests were played out on Wednesday. 

Korean champions Ulsan Hyundai FC earned a narrow 1-0 win against Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos in the East Zone while Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates registered a 4-2 victory against four-time Asian champions Al Hilal SFC in the West. 
 
With plenty still to play for in the return legs next week, the-AFC.com looks back at the stats and facts that caught the eye from the first meetings between the semi-finalists.

Al Ain's Rahimi promises more after ending Al Hilal's amazing run

Thu, 18 Apr, 2024

Al Ain's Rahimi promises more after ending Al Hilal's amazing run

Al Ain: Soufiane Rahimi promised more of the same next week after his hat-trick helped steer Al Ain to a stunning 4-2 win over Al Hilal SFC in the first leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 semi-final on Wednesday.

The Morocco striker scored all of his goals in the first half as UAE's Al Ain stopped Al Hilal's world-record breaking run at 34 wins. 

Ulsan make Hong proud; Kewell confident Marinos can bounce back

Thu, 18 Apr, 2024

Ulsan make Hong proud; Kewell confident Marinos can bounce back

Ulsan: Head coach Hong Myung-bo expressed pride after Ulsan Hyundai confirmed their spot in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 following their 1-0 win over Yokohama F. Marinos in the first leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 semi-final on Wednesday.

Although there is still work to be done if Ulsan are to stay on track for a third continental title, the slender first leg win over Marinos meant they are assured of being one of the four Asian teams who will compete in next year's expanded FIFA Club World Cup.

Group B: UAE 0-2 Japan

Sat, 20 Apr, 2024

Group B: UAE 0-2 Japan

Doha: Japan booked their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ on Friday as Go Oiwa’s side handed the United Arab Emirates a 2-0 defeat at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium to guarantee themselves a top two finish in Group B.

Goals from Seiji Kimura and Sota Kawasaki kept the 2016 champions perfect after their opening two games and they will face off against Korea Republic on Monday to determine who takes top spot in the standings.
 
The result also means the UAE, who face China PR in their next game, cannot progress to the knockout rounds.

Group B: China PR 0-2 Korea Republic

Sat, 20 Apr, 2024

Group B: China PR 0-2 Korea Republic

Doha: Korea Republic booked their spot in the knockout stage of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ on Friday after a 2-0 win against China PR at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.

Lee Young-jun, who netted the sole strike in their opening win against the United Arab Emirates, came up with the goods again for Korea Republic by grabbing both goals in the Group B encounter with their quarter-final slot confirmed after Japan defeated United Arab Emirates 2-0 in the later match on Friday.
 
It was a lesson in ruthlessness from Korea Republic, who had only three shots on target and scored two, with their clash against Japan on Monday to decide the group winners.  

Group C: Thailand 0-5 Saudi Arabia

Sat, 20 Apr, 2024

Group C: Thailand 0-5 Saudi Arabia

Doha: Saudi Arabia produced a dominant performance to beat Thailand 5-0 in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ Group C tie at Khalifa International Stadium as they edged closer to a place in the quarter-finals.

Aiman Yahya, who grabbed a brace against Tajikistan in their opening game, scored once and assisted two with Abdullah Radif hitting a hat-trick as the 2022 champions made it two wins out of two with Iraq up next for them on Monday. 

Group C: Tajikistan 2-4 Iraq

Sat, 20 Apr, 2024

Group C: Tajikistan 2-4 Iraq

Al Wakrah:  Iraq revived their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ knockout stage hopes with a 4-2 win over Tajikistan at the Al Janoub Stadium on Friday. 

The 2013 champions dominated from the start and now need a win over Group C leaders Saudi Arabia on Monday to stand a chance of advancing into the quarter-finals, having lost their opening match to Thailand.

Vale praises Qatar’s belief, Abu Zema laments Jordan’s luck

Fri, 19 Apr, 2024

Vale praises Qatar’s belief, Abu Zema laments Jordan’s luck

Doha: Qatar head coach Ilídio Vale hailed a “deserved” result for his team on Thursday after their 2-1 victory against Jordan saw them become the first team to qualify for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ knockout stage.

Mohamed Manai came off the bench to thunder in a header from a free-kick delivery by fellow substitute Jassem Alsharshani in the 13th minute of added time, which sealed a second win in as many Group A matches for the hosts and their third quarter-final appearance.

Indonesia's determination delights Shin; Australia's Vidmar rues missed chances

Fri, 19 Apr, 2024

Indonesia's determination delights Shin; Australia's Vidmar rues missed chances

Doha: Shin Tae-yong praised his players’ determination as tournament debutants Indonesia pulled themselves back into contention for a place in the knockout rounds of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ on Thursday with a 1-0 win over Australia at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.

Komang Teguh scored the game’s only goal in the 45th minute after goalkeeper Ernando Ari Sutaryadi had saved Mohamed Toure’s penalty 20 minutes earlier as the Indonesians rebounded from their opening day loss against Group A rivals Qatar.