Al Hilal have eyes locked on final, says Malcolm

Mon, 28 Apr, 2025

Al Hilal have eyes locked on final, says Malcolm

Jeddah: Malcom is confident Al Hilal SFC will have no problem in producing their best when they face Al Ahli Saudi FC in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Tuesday.

The Brazilian forward scored his third goal of the tournament in Al Hilal’s emphatic 7-0 quarter-final win over Korea Republic’s Gwangju FC on Friday, a performance that underlined the four-time champions' intent.

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S-final - Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA): Facts & Figures

Mon, 28 Apr, 2025

S-final - Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA): Facts & Figures

Jeddah: Al Hilal SFC and Al Ahli Saudi FC are set for a blockbuster showdown in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Tuesday.

The face-off between the two Saudi Arabian rivals promises to be epic and the-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts and figures from both sides.

Van Wermeskerken hails Frontale’s work ethic

Mon, 28 Apr, 2025

Van Wermeskerken hails Frontale’s work ethic

Jeddah: Substitute Shin Yamada provided a perfect assist for captain Yasuto Wakizaka to fire home the winning goal against Qatar’s Al Sadd SC, sending Kawasaki Frontale of Japan into the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Sunday. 

Among those celebrating the hard-fought 3-2 win after extra time was defender Sai van Wermeskerken, who hailed his team’s confidence and preparation ahead of the match-up.

Hasebe confident Frontale can beat the odds

Mon, 28 Apr, 2025

Hasebe confident Frontale can beat the odds

Jeddah: Shigetoshi Hasebe believes Kawasaki Frontale have what it takes to fly the flag for the East zone in the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 after his side advanced to the semi-finals on Sunday.

Frontale are the only side from the East Zone to reach the semi-finals after Gwangju FC, Yokohama F. Marinos and Buriram United faltered against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SFC, Al Nassr Club and Al Ahli Saudi FC respectively.

Frontale made sure they didn’t suffer the same fate, producing a gritty performance to edge Qatar’s Al Sadd SC 3-2 to make the semi-finals for the first time. They meet Al Nassr on Wednesday. 

Sanchez proud of Al Sadd’s spirit

Mon, 28 Apr, 2025

Sanchez proud of Al Sadd’s spirit

Jeddah: Head coach Feliz Sanchez remained proud of his players despite Al Sadd SC’s exit from the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Sunday.

Sanchez praised the fighting spirit of his players as they twice fought back to draw level in their quarter-final against Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale before eventually succumbing to a 3-2 defeat in extra time.

West Asia Wrap: Al Ittihad close in on Saudi Pro League title

Mon, 28 Apr, 2025

West Asia Wrap: Al Ittihad close in on Saudi Pro League title

Doha: Al Ittihad moved within sight of the Saudi Pro League title with a crucial win over Al Ettifaq while Shabab Al Ahli are also closing in on glory after a good week in the UAE Pro League.

In Iraq, Al Zawraa surged clear while there were also matches in Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon and Oman so join the-AFC.com in our weekly look at the domestic scene across West Asia.

East Asia Wrap: Daejeon widen lead; Shenhua, Sanga stay hot

Mon, 28 Apr, 2025

East Asia Wrap: Daejeon widen lead; Shenhua, Sanga stay hot

Hong Kong: Daejeon Hana opened a five-point lead at the top of K League 1 with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Gangwon on Sunday.

Chinese Super League pacesetters Shanghai Shenhua also had to work hard to defeat Shandong Taishan while Kyoto Sanga maintained their grip on the top spot in Japan.
 
The title race in Hong Kong is set for an exciting finish after Lee Man closed in to within a point of leaders Tai Po, so join the-AFC.com in our weekly review of the domestic action across East Asia.

ASEAN Wrap: Johor Darul Ta'zim continue to create history; Svay Rieng and Persib edge closer to titles

Mon, 28 Apr, 2025

ASEAN Wrap: Johor Darul Ta'zim continue to create history; Svay Rieng and Persib edge closer to titles

Kuala Lumpur: Johor Darul Ta'zim completed another clean sweep by lifting the Malaysia Cup while Auckland FC made history by clinching the A-League Premiers title in their debut season.

Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC took a major step towards the Cambodian Premier League crown with a dominant win. In Indonesia, Persib Bandung moved within touching distance of securing the Liga 1 title after another strong performance.
 
There were also matches in Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand so join the-AFC.com in our review of the latest domestic football action from ASEAN.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Kalinga Super Cup welcomes semi-finalists; Sepahan go down in Hazfi Cup quarters

Mon, 28 Apr, 2025

Central & South Asia Wrap: Kalinga Super Cup welcomes semi-finalists; Sepahan go down in Hazfi Cup quarters

Bhubaneswar: Familiar foes will face off in the Kalinga Super Cup semi-finals while the Hazfi Cup quarter-finals and Tractor’s 90+23 minute winning goal dominated the action in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Lalitpur City wrapped up the Nepal Super League by defending their title while there was news - good and bad - for leaders across the Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan leagues.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the domestic action across Central and South Asia this past week.

#U20WAC Qualifiers draw finalised

Sun, 27 Apr, 2025

#U20WAC Qualifiers draw finalised

Kuala Lumpur: The 33 hopefuls learned their AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Qualifiers 2026 opponents following the official draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Monday.

The teams were divided into seven groups of four teams and one group of five with the Qualifiers to be played on August 2-10.

The teams will be vying for 11 tickets to the Finals, to be hosted by Thailand on April 1-18 next year. The eight group winners and three  best runners-up will advance.