Olaroiu: This must be a new beginning for Sharjah

Mon, 19 May, 2025

Olaroiu: This must be a new beginning for Sharjah

Singapore: Outgoing head coach Cosmin Olaroiu wants Sharjah FC to build on their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 triumph, with the Romanian saying he firmly believes the future is bright for the club.

The side from the United Arab Emirates lifted their first major continental trophy after edging Singapore's Lion City Sailors FC in a closely contested final on Sunday.

The decider looked to be heading for extra-time when Lion City’s Maxime Lestienne cancelled out Firas Ben Arbi’s 74th minute goal but Marcus Meloni struck in the 97th minute to ensure Sharjah gave Olaroiu the perfect send off, with the tactician to take charge of the UAE national team.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_two.html/video/acltwo-|-final-lion-city-sailors-fc-sgp-1-2-sharjah-fc-uae

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Sharjah edge Sailors to savour glory

Mon, 19 May, 2025

Sharjah edge Sailors to savour glory

Singapore: Sharjah FC claimed the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 title with a dramatic 2-1 win over Singapore’s Lion City Sailors at Bishan Stadium on Sunday as Marcus Meloni scored deep into added time to secure victory for the side from the United Arab Emirates.

The final looked to be heading for extra-time when Lion City’s Maxime Lestienne cancelled out Firas Ben Arbi’s 74th minute goal but Meloni struck in the 97th minute to give Sharjah head coach Cosmin Olaroiu the perfect send off before he takes over as UAE national team boss.

Sharjah become the first club from the country to lift the title and follow in the footsteps of domestic rivals Al Ain, who won the AFC Champions League™ in 2003 and 2024, in becoming the only outfits from the Gulf state to taste continental glory.

Sharjah's Caio Lucas named MVP

Sun, 18 May, 2025

Sharjah's Caio Lucas named MVP

Singapore: Sharjah FC's Caio Lucas was named the Most Valuable Player of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 after guiding his side to the title on Saturday.

The winger had a sterling campaign, netting five goals and playing a huge part in the UAE's side opener against Singapore's Lion City Sailors in the final.

Shabab Al Ahli's Azmoun takes Top Scorer award

Sun, 18 May, 2025

Shabab Al Ahli's Azmoun takes Top Scorer award

Singapore: Shabab Al Ahli's Sardar Azmoun was named the AFC Champions League Two 2024/25 Top Scorer on Sunday.

The forward netted nine goals in UAE side Shabab Al Ahli's run to the quarter-finals.

#AWCL - Facts & Figures

Sun, 18 May, 2025

#AWCL - Facts & Figures

Wuhan: The AFC Women's Champions League™ 2024/25 is fast reaching its climax with just four teams still in the running to lift the coveted title. 

The inaugural season - from the preliminary round to the quarter-finals - of the tournament has seen its fair share of thrills and spills.

With the semi-finals only three days away, the-AFC.com takes a closer look at the interesting facts and figures from what has been a memorable campaign thus far.

#WACFutsal2025: In Numbers

Sun, 18 May, 2025

#WACFutsal2025: In Numbers

Hohhot: A thrilling AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 came to a perfect end on Saturday with Japan lifting their first title after defeating Thailand 3-2 on penalties after the final ended in a 3-3 draw after extra time.

As the dust settles on a truly memorable tournament, the-AFC.com highlights some interesting facts and figures from the fiesta of women’s futsal. 

Suga credits Japan’s work ethic for historic triumph

Sun, 18 May, 2025

Suga credits Japan’s work ethic for historic triumph

Hohhot: Japan head coach Takehiro Suga hailed his side’s perseverance after they edged Thailand 3-2 on penalties to win the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 at the Hohhot Sports Centre on Saturday.

The dramatic final, which ended 3-3 after extra time, saw Japan finally claim their maiden title after finishing runners-up in 2015 and 2018, with Suga attributing the end of the long wait to collective leadership and meticulous preparation.

Soleimani dedicates World Cup qualification to IR Iran

Sat, 17 May, 2025

Soleimani dedicates World Cup qualification to IR Iran

Hohhot: While they may have fallen short of retaining their AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ title, the Islamic Republic of Iran were still able to achieve their goal of qualification for the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup after their third-place playoff win on Saturday.

A gritty 3-1 victory against China PR allowed the Central Asians to claim the final berth on offer in Hohhot and head coach Forouzan Soleimani hailed the achievement as something that is built on the collective efforts of the women’s futsal community back home.

West Asia Wrap: Al Ittihad claim Saudi Pro League title; Al Wehdat retain Jordan FA Cup

Sun, 18 May, 2025

West Asia Wrap: Al Ittihad claim Saudi Pro League title; Al Wehdat retain Jordan FA Cup

Doha: Al Ittihad defeated Al Raed 3-1 to confirm the Saudi Pro League title with two matches to spare.

In Jordan, Al Wehdat defeated Al Hussein in the Jordan FA Cup final while in Qatar, Al Sadd SC and Al Duhail SC crashed out of the Qatar Amir Cup.

There were also matches in Iraq, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates so join the-AFC.com in our weekly wrap of the West Asia domestic scene.

East Asia Wrap: Shenhua go clear; Kashima extend lead; Daejeon stunned late

Mon, 19 May, 2025

East Asia Wrap: Shenhua go clear; Kashima extend lead; Daejeon stunned late

Hong Kong: Shanghai Shenhua moved three points clear at the top of the Chinese Super League with a commanding victory over Dalian Zhixing, while Kashima Antlers opened up a four-point gap in the J1 League.

In Korea Republic, Daejeon Hana suffered a late collapse against Suwon FC but retained top spot, while Lee Man and Tai Po both collected vital wins to keep the Hong Kong Premier League title race finely balanced.
 
The-AFC.com takes a look at the past week’s domestic action across East Asia.

ASEAN Wrap: Nam Dinh in touching distance of title

Mon, 19 May, 2025

ASEAN Wrap: Nam Dinh in touching distance of title

Kuala Lumpur: Nam Dinh edged closer to the V. League 1 title with a 6-1 win over Hoang Anh Gia Lai on Sunday.

In Australia, Melbourne City FC took a commanding lead in their semi-final against Western United while Auckland FC kept their hopes of a double alive.

There were also matches in Indonesia and Singapore so join the-AFC.com in our weekly wrap of the domestic scene across ASEAN.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Mohammedan clinch first title; Tractor’s last match closes Iran Pro League

Mon, 19 May, 2025

Central & South Asia Wrap: Mohammedan clinch first title; Tractor’s last match closes Iran Pro League

Dhaka: Mohammedan claimed their first Bangladesh Football Premier League trophy with three games to spare while new champions Tractor wrapped up the 2024/25 Iran Pro League by playing the last match of the season.

There was joy and heartache for the leaders in the Bhutan, Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan leagues, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the domestic action across Central and South Asia this past week.