Rankovic applauds Lion City Sailors' focus

Thu, 17 Apr, 2025

Rankovic applauds Lion City Sailors' focus

Sydney: Lion City Sailors head coach Aleksandar Rankovic praised his players for remaining focused despite Sydney FC threatening to mount a fightback in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 semi-final second leg on Wednesday.

Leading 2-0 from the first leg, Singapore's Sailors looked to have weathered Sydney's pressure but Joe Lolley's 85th minute strike for the Australian side set up a grandstand finish at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Rankovic's team, however, held on to advance and create history as the first side from Singapore to make an Asian final.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_two.html/video/acltwo-|-sf-2nd-leg-sydney-fc-aus-1-0-1-2-agg-lion-city-sailors-fc-sgp

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Lion City Sailors create history

Thu, 17 Apr, 2025

Lion City Sailors create history

Sydney: Lion City Sailors created history despite losing 1-0 to Sydney FC in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 semi-final second leg at Sydney Football Stadium on Wednesday.

The Sailors advanced to the final 2-1 on aggregate and in the process became the first team from Singapore to qualify for an Asian clubs championship final.

The result takes Lion City through to a meeting with Sharjah FC of the United Arab Emirates, who defeated Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun on Tuesday to confirm their progress to the decider.

Sharjah live up to Olaroiu's expectations

Wed, 16 Apr, 2025

Sharjah live up to Olaroiu's expectations

Sharjah: Cosmin Olaroiu hailed the performance of his players after Sharjah FC booked their spot in the final of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 in dramatic fashion on Tuesday.

The UAE's side dreams looked to have been crushed with the second leg goalless and in stoppage time with Al Taawoun FC leading 1-0 on aggregate.

Sharjah turned the match on its head when Ousmane Camara drew them level in the fourth minute of added time with substitute Firas Ben Arbi rifling home the winner five minutes later.

#ACLElite - Mahrez tops best goal of R16 (West)

Sat, 19 Apr, 2025

#ACLElite - Mahrez tops best goal of R16 (West)

Kuala Lumpur: Riyad Mahrez’s stunning strike against Qatar’s Al Rayyan SC has been voted as the best goal of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 (West) Round of 16.

Mahrez showed grace and composure inside a packed Al Rayyan box to open Al Ahli Saudi’s account before the midfield maestro doubled his tally to seal the win.

Know Your Teams: Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Thu, 17 Apr, 2025

Know Your Teams: Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Kuala Lumpur: Al Hilal SFC will head into the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals 2024/25 determined to lift the Asian title for a fifth time.

Jorge Jesus' side were denied by eventual champions Al Ain FC of the UAE in the semi-finals of the 2024/25 edition and will spare no effort in making sure they go all the way.

Know Your Teams: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Wed, 16 Apr, 2025

Know Your Teams: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Kuala Lumpur: The kick off for the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals 2024/25 is just over a week away with the eight teams in their final phase of preparations.

Ahead of the quarter-final action kicking off on April 25, the-AFC.com takes a look at the remaining eight sides, with Al Ahli Saudi FC the first to be featured.

First-ever AFC eChampions League Elite set for historic debut

Tue, 15 Apr, 2025

First-ever AFC eChampions League Elite set for historic debut

Kuala Lumpur: The best football eSports talents in Asia will convene in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah when the inaugural AFC eChampions League Elite (eACL Elite) kicks off on April 24, 2025.

Hosted at the spectacular King Abdullah Sports City Sports Hall, the landmark event will run alongside the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025, where the Continent’s top eight clubs will compete for glory from April 25 to May 3.

Arkadag advance to final in stunning fashion

Wed, 16 Apr, 2025

Arkadag advance to final in stunning fashion

Arkadag City: FC Arkadag completed a stunning turnaround to book their spot in the AFC Challenge League™ 2024/25 final after defeating Al Arabi SC 3-0 in their semi-final second leg at the Arkadag Stadium on Wednesday.

A brace from Sanazar Tirkisow and one from Altymyrat Annadurdyyew saw the side from Turkmenistan advance 3-2 on aggregate, with either Indonesia’s Madura United or Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC of Cambodia their opponents in the final.

Preview - S-final: Uzbekistan v DPR Korea

Fri, 18 Apr, 2025

Preview - S-final: Uzbekistan v DPR Korea

Taif: Uzbekistan have promised goals when they face DPR Korea in a highly anticipated AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 semi-final at the King Fahd Sports City Stadium on Thursday.

Both teams have scored 24 goals between them in the lead-up to this encounter, with all signs pointing to a potential goalfest.

Preview - S-final: Saudi Arabia v Korea Republic

Thu, 17 Apr, 2025

Preview - S-final: Saudi Arabia v Korea Republic

Taif: Mario da Silva and Back Ki-tae are looking forward to a tactical battle when Saudi Arabia meet Korea Republic in the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 semi-finals on Thursday.

Having met in a friendly match as part of their preparations for the tournament as well as collecting information in the matches leading to their showdown, da Silva is expecting some surprises during the game that will require mid-game adjustments.

DPR Korea captain Yu Jin wants to emulate women’s success

Wed, 16 Apr, 2025

DPR Korea captain Yu Jin wants to emulate women’s success

Taif: DPR Korea captain Kim Yu Jin has urged his team to emulate the success of their female counterparts by going the distance at the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025.

The DPR Korea women’s U17 and U20 teams were the finest footballing talent last year, winning the Asian and world titles. 

Koo believes Korea Republic’s steely determination will secure title

Wed, 16 Apr, 2025

Koo believes Korea Republic’s steely determination will secure title

Taif: Korea Republic’s AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 campaign has been anything but smooth but the experience gained from it is making Koo Hyeon-bin believe a title tilt is possible.

The East Asian side face a daunting task against hosts Saudi Arabia in the semi-finals on Thursday as they chase a third title following successes in 1986 and 2022, with Koo pinning his hopes on the incredible team attitude that has developed over the course of the tournament.

Australia's Fowler suffers injury blow

Wed, 16 Apr, 2025

Australia's Fowler suffers injury blow

Sydney: Mary Fowler faces a race against time to be ready for her country’s hosting of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ next year after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament rupture in her right knee while playing for Manchester City.

The 22-year-old forward sustained the injury during City’s 2-0 loss to cross-city rivals Manchester United in the semi-finals of the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday and will spend a prolonged period on the sidelines.