Thy urges caution as Sailors bid to create history

Thu, 10 Apr, 2025

Thy urges caution as Sailors bid to create history

Singapore: As the final whistle blew at Jalan Besar Stadium, Lion City Sailors knew they had taken a massive step towards the AFC Champions League Two™ 2025/25 final after defeating Sydney FC 2-0 on Wednesday.

Dutch forward Lennart Thy, however, has warned the Singapore side to be cautious in next week’s return leg in Sydney as the Sailors chase a first ever appearance in a continental final. 

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S-final - 1st Leg: Lion City Sailors FC (SGP) 2-0 Sydney FC (AUS)

Thu, 10 Apr, 2025

S-final - 1st Leg: Lion City Sailors FC (SGP) 2-0 Sydney FC (AUS)

Singapore: Lion City Sailors will take a two-goal lead into the second leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 semi-final against Sydney FC next week after the Singaporeans secured a 2-0 win over the Australian outfit at Jalan Besar Stadium on Wednesday.

Stunning strikes from Bart Ramselaar and Lennart Thy coupled with a disciplined defensive display earned Aleksandar Rankovic’s side the first leg advantage ahead of the return at Sydney Football Stadium in seven days’ time.

Ramselaar put the Singapore Premier League leaders in front in the 18th minute and Thy doubled his side’s advantage eight minutes after the restart to seal a decisive win for the home side.

Al Taawoun's Al Abdali, Sharjah's Olariu equally confident of advancing

Wed, 09 Apr, 2025

Al Taawoun's Al Abdali, Sharjah's Olariu equally confident of advancing

Buraidah: Al Taawoun FC head coach Mohammed Al Abdali and his Sharjah FC counterpart Cosmin Olariu are equally optimistic of their respective team's chances of advancing to the AFC Champions League Two™ 2023/24 final after a tough first leg on Tuesday.

Abdelhamid Sabiri's first half effort secured Saudi Arabia's Al Taawoun a slim advantage at the Wolves Park, leaving both coaches with mixed feelings.

S-final - 1st Leg: Al Arabi SC (KUW) 2-0 FC Arkadag (TKM)

Thu, 10 Apr, 2025

S-final - 1st Leg: Al Arabi SC (KUW) 2-0 FC Arkadag (TKM)

Sulaibikhat: Kuwait’s Al Arabi struck twice late in the second half to defeat FC Arkadag of Turkmenistan 2-0 in their AFC Challenge League™ 2024/25 semi-final first leg at the Jaber Al Mubarak Al Sabah Stadium on Wednesday.

Christopher John opened the scoring in the 71st minute with Salman Al Awadhi then striking in stoppage time to give Al Arabi a healthy advantage to defend in next week’s return leg.

Preview - S-Final (1st Leg): Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM) v Madura United (IDN)

Thu, 10 Apr, 2025

Preview - S-Final (1st Leg): Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM) v Madura United (IDN)

Phnom Penh: Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC will expect a different outcome when they host Madura United in the first leg of their AFC Challenge League™ 2024/25 semi-final on Thursday.

The sides met in the group stage, with Indonesia's Madura edging the tie 2-1.

Khabibullaev: Win against Saudi Arabia strengthens Uzbekistan’s title resolve

Thu, 10 Apr, 2025

Khabibullaev: Win against Saudi Arabia strengthens Uzbekistan’s title resolve

Taif: Mukhammad Khabibullaev is focused on lifting the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 trophy come April 20 after Uzbekistan completed their Group A campaign in style by beating Saudi Arabia 3-0 on Wednesday.

Khabibullaev set up a breakaway second goal in the 62nd minute on a silver platter for Asilbek Aliev to kill off Saudi Arabia’s hopes of a comeback and the midfielder, while not wanting to assume the favourites tag, said Uzbekistan have no fear going into the knockout stage.

Scoring a small consolation for Abudoushalamu

Thu, 10 Apr, 2025

Scoring a small consolation for Abudoushalamu

Taif: Forward Buniyaming Abudoushalamu was relieved to help China PR to a 2-0 win over Thailand, but expressed regret they could not progress beyond the group stage.

Abudoushalamu netted a second half penalty to help China PR earn three points in their final AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 Group A clash on Wednesday, with Jiang Zhiqin later adding gloss to the scoreline.

Abdulatif, Yemen’s goal scoring defender

Thu, 10 Apr, 2025

Abdulatif, Yemen’s goal scoring defender

Jeddah: For someone whose primary role is to stop the opposition from scoring, Yemen’s Karem Abdulatif enjoys doing just the opposite.

The defender stole the spotlight at the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 Qualifiers by leveling the score in their 3-2 win over Kyrgyz Republic, scoring in a 1-1 draw with Vietnam and finding the back of the net once in their 6-1 defeat of Myanmar.  

Preview - Group B: Japan v Australia

Thu, 10 Apr, 2025

Preview - Group B: Japan v Australia

Taif: There will be no room for error when Japan and Australia face off in their final AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 Group B tie on Thursday.

Japan are in a comparatively more comfortable position with four points earned from their first two matches and only need to avoid defeat against Australia to seal their place in the quarter-finals.

Preview - Group B: Vietnam v UAE

Thu, 10 Apr, 2025

Preview - Group B: Vietnam v UAE

Taif: Vietnam head coach Cristiano Roland wants his players to show the same determination from their previous matches when they take on United Arab Emirates in their final AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 Group B tie on Thursday.

Victory will take Vietnam - on two points - into the knockout stage as they are only one adrift of UAE. Japan lead the standings with four points while Australia are on one. 

Preview - Group C: Korea Republic v Yemen

Fri, 11 Apr, 2025

Preview - Group C: Korea Republic v Yemen

Jeddah: Korea Republic and Yemen will both be determined to start on the front foot in their final Group C clash at the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 on Thursday.

Both teams are on three points and will vie for the second quarter-final spot in their group, with Korea Republic having an edge in terms of goal difference. 

The East Asian side opened their campaign with a 1-0 loss to Indonesia but then picked themselves up to cruise 6-0 past Afghanistan. Yemen took the opposite route, beating Afghanistan 2-0 before crashing 4-1 against Indonesia, whose two wins assured them of a quarter-final spot as well as ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.

Preview - Group C: Afghanistan v Indonesia

Fri, 11 Apr, 2025

Preview - Group C: Afghanistan v Indonesia

Jeddah: Indonesia will not take their foot off the pedal when they meet Afghanistan in their final AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 Group C match on Thursday.

Head coach Nova Arianto’s side qualified for the knockout stage after defeating Korea Republic 1-0 and Yemen 4-1 while Afghanistan will be playing for pride after losing 2-0 to Yemen and 6-0 to Korea Republic.