Tachibanada playing for more than Frontale’s badge

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Tachibanada playing for more than Frontale’s badge

Jeddah: Kento Tachibanada will be drawing his motivation from the recent past as Kawasaki Frontale look to navigate past Al Nassr Club in the semi-final of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old played a key role in Frontale’s 2023 Emperor’s Cup win against Kashiwa Reysol, which booked their place in the AFC Champions League Elite, and the midfielder wants their continental campaign - having reached the semi-finals for the first time - to continue.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3086763

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3086766

Preview - SF: Al Nassr Club (KSA) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Thu, 01 May, 2025

Preview - SF: Al Nassr Club (KSA) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Jeddah: Head coach Shigetoshi Hasebe will be out to prove that Kawasaki Frontale can stand toe-to-toe when they take on Al Nassr Club in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Wednesday.

It will be Frontale’s first appearance in the semi-finals with the club seeking to become only the fifth Japanese team to reach the final, following the footsteps of Yokohama F. Marinos, Kashima Antlers, Gamba Osaka and Urawa Red Diamonds.

Al Nassr’s Simakan ready for pivotal challenge

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Al Nassr’s Simakan ready for pivotal challenge

Jeddah: Mohamed Simakan is relishing the opportunity to shine at the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 as Al Nassr Club of Saudi Arabia get set to face Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale in Wednesday’s semi-final.

The centre-back played an important role in keeping Yokohama F. Marinos’ forwards quiet during their quarter-final clash on Saturday and is determined to do the same against Frontale’s Erison and Shin Yamada.

S-final - Al Nassr Club (KSA) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN): Facts & Figures

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

S-final - Al Nassr Club (KSA) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN): Facts & Figures

Jeddah: Al Nassr Club and Kawasaki Frontale will be seeking to create history when they square off in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Wednesday.

It promises to be an enticing encounter at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and the-AFC.com picks out some key facts and figures from both sides.

Yamaguchi adamant Frontale will create more history

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Yamaguchi adamant Frontale will create more history

Jeddah: Kawasaki Frontale goalkeeper Louis Yamaguchi has set his sights on securing a place in the final of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 after helping the Japanese side advance to the semi-finals of the competition for the first time.

Yamaguchi and his teammates defeated Qatar's Al Sadd SC on Sunday to set up a last four encounter with Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr Club and the 26-year-old is determined his team’s involvement will not come to an end against Cristiano Ronaldo and company.

Europe Wrap: Endo, Maeda celebrate title triumphs

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Europe Wrap: Endo, Maeda celebrate title triumphs

Kuala Lumpur: Japan’s Wataru Endo became the fourth Japanese player to win the English Premier League title on Sunday, following the exploits of Shinji Kagawa, Shinji Okazaki and Takumi Minamino.

Endo was joined by compatriot Daizen Maeda who helped Celtic win the Scottish Premiership, so join the-AFC.com as we follow the trail of Asian stars in Europe this past week.

Preview - SF: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Wed, 30 Apr, 2025

Preview - SF: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Jeddah: Jorge Jesus and Matthias Jaissle are expecting an extremely tight contest when Al Hilal SFC and Al Ahli Saudi FC face off in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Tuesday.

With both sides highly familiar with each other, Al Hilal head coach Jesus and his Al Ahli counterpart Jaissle will resist tinkering too much in the showdown between two Saudi Arabian clubs. 

This season’s Saudi Pro League meetings between the two ended with one win each, adding more spice to what will surely be a blockbuster showdown at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

Dababneh: Calm minds and teamwork behind Al Nassr’s eACL Elite success

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Dababneh: Calm minds and teamwork behind Al Nassr’s eACL Elite success

Jeddah: Amjad Othman M Alqarni and Sief Addeen Jaser Fahed Dababneh said a calm mind and great communication led to success as Al Nassr Club defeated Islamic Republic of Iran’s Persepolis FC in the final of the inaugural AFC eChampions League Elite 2025 on Monday.

After a pulsating 4-3 victory in the first leg, Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr delivered a composed and clinical performance in the return fixture, securing a 3-2 result to seal a historic win.

Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr Club crowned champions of inaugural AFC eChampions League Elite 2025

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr Club crowned champions of inaugural AFC eChampions League Elite 2025

Jeddah: Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr Club defeated the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Persepolis FC to emerge as winners of the inaugural edition of the AFC eChampions League Elite on Monday.

The tournament, which kicked off last Thursday at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall, was packed with high-intensity matches involving 16 teams representing clubs participating in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25.

Know Your Team: IR Iran

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Know Your Team: IR Iran

Kuala Lumpur: Fresh from lifting the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 in March, Islamic Republic of Iran will shift their focus towards the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025 that kicks off on Thursday.

Naderi Hossein’s side were unstoppable in Pattaya, defeating all before them - including beating Oman 8-1 in the final - to lift their fourth Asian title.

Know Your Team: Oman

Mon, 28 Apr, 2025

Know Your Team: Oman

Kuala Lumpur: Oman are adamant that they will not be making up the numbers at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025.

The West Asian side turned heads at the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 with a runners-up finish and buoyed by the achievement, are aiming to go far at the global showpiece.

#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.