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.

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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.

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.

Japan’s Oino named MVP

Sat, 17 May, 2025

Japan’s Oino named MVP

Hohhot: Sara Oino crowned a magnificent AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 campaign on Saturday by being named the Most Valuable Player after leading Japan to a historic triumph.

The 24-year-old put in a series of impressive displays in Hohhot, including a goal and an assist in the victory on penalties against Thailand in the final that ended 3-3 after extra time, as she played a key role in Japan’s maiden title win.

IR Iran’s Torkaman wins Top Scorer honour

Sat, 17 May, 2025

IR Iran’s Torkaman wins Top Scorer honour

Hohhot: With four goals for Islamic Republic of Iran prior to the third-place playoff, Maral Torkaman added two more on Saturday against China PR to emerge as the AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup™ and help lead her side to the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025.

The 22-year-old cemented her status as one of Asia’s brightest futsal stars on her competition debut, showcasing her deadly finishing and also adding one assist.