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East Asia Wrap: Kashima, Vissel in showdown; Chengdu suffer setback

Mon, 25 May, 2026

East Asia Wrap: Kashima, Vissel in showdown; Chengdu suffer setback

Tokyo: Kashima Antlers and Vissel Kobe will square off for the title in Japan after they topped their respective League Stage groups.

Chengdu Rongcheng’s lead was trimmed in China PR after suffering only their second defeat of the season while in Chinese Taipei, the title race is going down to the final week.

Shaikh Salman: Naegohyang Women’s FC's title quest underscores the rising prestige of #AWCL

Sat, 23 May, 2026

Shaikh Salman: Naegohyang Women’s FC's title quest underscores the rising prestige of #AWCL

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has praised Naegohyang Women’s FC on their landmark achievement after the DPR Korea club secured the AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26™ title with a 1-0 victory over Tokyo Verdy Beleza in the Final at the Suwon Sports Complex in Korea Republic on Saturday.

The AFC President highlighted the maiden champions’ clinical performance throughout the tournament, which culminated in them lifting the trophy as only the second-ever winners of Asia’s premier women's club competition whilst also extending his commendations to the runners-up for their valiant display in reaching their first ever Final.

Off-key Tokyo Verdy disappoint Kusunose

Sat, 23 May, 2026

Off-key Tokyo Verdy disappoint Kusunose

Suwon: There was no hiding Naoki Kusunose’s disappointment after his Tokyo Verdy Beleza side ended up as bridesmaids in the AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26™ on Saturday.

After a campaign which had seen the Japanese side shine, the head coach was left dejected with their inability to cope with the strength of Naegohyang Women’s FC as they fell to a 1-0 defeat in the final at Suwon Sports Complex.

AFC President: Japan’s fifth #AFCU17 title a ‘definitive blueprint’ for success

Sat, 23 May, 2026

AFC President: Japan’s fifth #AFCU17 title a ‘definitive blueprint’ for success

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has hailed Japan’s unprecedented dominance after the young Samurai Blue secured a record-extending fifth AFC U17 Asian Cup™ title.

A hard-fought 3-2 victory over China PR in Friday’s final in Jeddah saw the East Asian giants add to their storied legacy of 1994, 2006, 2018, and 2023, further cementing their status as the Continent’s premier youth powerhouse.

Kim strike steers Naegohyang to glory

Sat, 23 May, 2026

Kim strike steers Naegohyang to glory

Suwon: Naegohyang Women’s FC created history after defeating Japan's Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1-0 to win the AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/6™ title at Suwon Sports Complex on Saturday.

Kim Kyong Yong struck in the 44th minute as Ri Yu Il’s side - the first women’s club team from DPR Korea to compete at the continental level - booked their ticket to the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2027.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u17_asian_cup.html/video/u17ac-final-china-pr-2-3-japan

Talented Kitahara vows to get even better

Sat, 23 May, 2026

Talented Kitahara vows to get even better

Jeddah: Midfielder Maki Kitahara reflected with a mixture of pride and self-criticism after helping Japan clinch the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ title with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over China PR on Friday.

Kitahara, who finished the tournament with Most Valuable Player and Top Goalscorer awards, played a decisive role in the final by scoring Japan’s third goal in a dominant first-half display that ultimately proved enough despite a nervy finish.

Japan’s Ono eyes improvements after dramatic title win

Sat, 23 May, 2026

Japan’s Ono eyes improvements after dramatic title win

Jeddah: Japan head coach Shingi Ono admitted there is still significant room for improvement despite his side edging China PR 3-2 in the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026™ final at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium Legends on Friday.

Japan looked in complete control after racing to a three-goal lead in the first half, but were forced to endure a nervy finish as China PR produced a spirited second-half response to set up a tense closing stage.

Despite the pressure, Japan held firm to secure the title, with Ono reflecting on both the positives of victory and the lessons learned.

Japan’s Kitahara takes MVP, Top Goalscorer Awards

Sat, 23 May, 2026

Japan’s Kitahara takes MVP, Top Goalscorer Awards

Jeddah: Maki Kitahara lifted the Most Valuable Player and Top Goalscorer awards following a standout campaign at the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™.

The midfielder scored Japan's third in the 3-2 victory over China PR in Friday’s final, taking his tally to six and underlining his status as one of the tournament’s most lethal attacking threats.

Japan’s Kosei Oshita scoops Best Goalkeeper honour

Sat, 23 May, 2026

Japan’s Kosei Oshita scoops Best Goalkeeper honour

Jeddah: Kosei Oshita was named the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Best Goalkeeper after playing a pivotal role in Japan’s title-winning campaign.

Oshita capped off an outstanding tournament with another composed display in the final against China PR, providing the foundation for Japan to lift the coveted title for a record-extending fifth time.

Japan survive China PR fightback to clinch title

Sat, 23 May, 2026

Japan survive China PR fightback to clinch title

Jeddah: Japan staved off a second-half fightback from China PR to emerge the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ champions with a 3-2 win in the final at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium Legends on Friday.

The trophy was lifted for a record-extending fifth time after Japan survived a scare in the second half, with China PR fighting back from 3-0 down to come within a whisker of pulling off a sensational comeback.

Preview - Final: Tokyo Verdy Beleza (JPN) v Naegohyang Women’s FC (PRK)

Sat, 23 May, 2026

Preview - Final: Tokyo Verdy Beleza (JPN) v Naegohyang Women’s FC (PRK)

Suwon: Naoki Kusunose and Ri Yu Il are ready to play all their cards in the highly-anticipated AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26 final between Tokyo Verdy Beleza and Naegohyang Women’s FC on Saturday.

Kusunose’s Tokyo Verdy hold the advantage, having beaten their opponents in the group stage this season but Ri believes his side have improved tremendously since that meeting last November.

An added incentive the sides is victory will mean representing Asia in the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2027.