Al Ahed's Mohammad, Al Nahda's Al Azani demand focus in return leg

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Al Ahed's Mohammad, Al Nahda's Al Azani demand focus in return leg

Karbala: Al Ahed head coach Raafat Mohammad has reminded his players to remain focused after their 1-0 win over Al Nahda in the first leg of the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 West Zone final on Tuesday. 

Mohammed Al Hallak's strike seconds into the second half ultimately settled the first leg but Mohammad said Lebanon's Al Ahed, the 2019 AFC Cup winners, are not through to the final yet. 

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Al Hallak strike gives Al Ahed edge over Al Nahda

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Al Hallak strike gives Al Ahed edge over Al Nahda

Karbala: Lebanon’s Al Ahed took a valuable advantage in the AFC Cup 2023/24™ West Zonal Final beating Oman’s Al Nahda 1-0 in the first leg of the tie at Karbala International Stadium on Tuesday.

Champions in 2019, Al Ahed will look to defend their lead when the two teams face-off again in a week’s time in Oman with the aggregate winners facing one of the Inter-Zone finalists, Central Coast Mariners and Abdysh-Ata Kant in the AFC Cup final.

#ACFutsal2024 - Preview: Groups C & D

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

#ACFutsal2024 - Preview: Groups C & D

Bangkok: Kyrgyz Republic, Japan, Tajikistan and Korea Republic will be eager to make a positive impact when they begin their AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 Group C campaigns on Thursday.

Tajikistan and Korea Republic kickstart the action at the Bangkok Arena before the attention turns to Japan, who will open their title defence against Kyrgyz Republic at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium.

In Group D, 12-time champions Islamic Republic of Iran meet newcomers Afghanistan with Kuwait and Bahrain facing off in the other fixture.

Saudi Arabia's Al Shehri taking it step by step; Tajikistan’s Ergashev rues defensive errors

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi Arabia's Al Shehri taking it step by step; Tajikistan’s Ergashev rues defensive errors

Doha: Head coach Saad Al Shehri was pleased that his Saudi Arabia side got off to a positive start in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ as he hopes to see his team grow into the tournament.

Rayan Hameed, Haitham Asiri and a brace from Aiman Yahya secured the defending champions a 4-2 win over Tajikistan with Al Shehri adamant that the best is yet to come from the West Asian side.

Ithsara lauds Thailand display, Shenaishil seeks Iraq response

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Ithsara lauds Thailand display, Shenaishil seeks Iraq response

Al Wakrah: Thailand head coach Ithsara Sritharo was left in admiration of his team's efforts after leading them to victory against Iraq on Tuesday in their opening match at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™.

The Southeast Asian side had only picked up two wins from their previous four campaigns combined but they turned in an impressive display to defeat the 2013 winners at the Al Janoub Stadium in their Group C encounter.
 
After Waris Choolthong put them ahead in the 26th minute, Thailand held the Iraqis off with a rugged defensive display before adding a second in the 65th minute through Teerasak Poeiphimai. While their opponents kept probing, Ithsara praised the way his team saw the game out. 

Hwang proud of Korea Republic’s persistence; UAE’s discipline pleases Broli

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Hwang proud of Korea Republic’s persistence; UAE’s discipline pleases Broli

Doha: Head coach Hwang Sun-hong praised Korea Republic for sticking to the game plan in their intense AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ Group B opener against United Arab Emirates on Tuesday. 

The 2020 champions, with over 70 percent possession and 16 shots in total, struggled to breach UAE's defence until Lee Young-jun's dramatic header in added time clinched the victory.

Fujita: Patience took Japan past China PR

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Fujita: Patience took Japan past China PR

Doha: Captain Joel Chima Fujita admitted Japan had to take a measured approach in their 1-0 win over China PR after Ryuyu Nishio’s early sending off put the young Samurai Blue at risk of defeat in their opening Group B clash in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ on Tuesday.

The St-Truiden midfielder was instrumental to the success of Go Oiwa’s side at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium alongside goal scorer Kuryu Matsuki after Nishio’s 17th minute expulsion forced the Japanese into a tactical rejig.
 
Matsuki had started the game in a more advanced role but, with central defender Nishio dismissed for lashing out at China PR’s Jia Feifan, Oiwa replaced Rihito Yamamoto with defender Seiji Kimura and the Japanese took a more conservative approach as a result.