East Asia Wrap: Shanghai rivals deadlocked; Jeonbuk dent Daejeon’s charge; Tai Po pull away

Mon, 07 Apr, 2025

East Asia Wrap: Shanghai rivals deadlocked; Jeonbuk dent Daejeon’s charge; Tai Po pull away

Hong Kong: Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai Port remain neck and neck at the top of the Chinese Super League after their derby ended in a draw, while Chengdu Rongcheng moved into third with a convincing win.

Over in Korea Republic, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors handed leaders Daejeon a defeat as Gimcheon Sangmu and FC Seoul kept up the chase. In Japan, Machida Zelvia and Sanfrecce Hiroshima share top spot after a weekend of dramatic results, including a shock loss for defending champions Vissel Kobe.
 
Tai Po strengthened their grip on the Hong Kong Premier League title race with Lee Man narrowing the gap on second-placed Eastern.
 
Join the-AFC.com for your weekly review of the East Asian domestic scene.

#ACLTwo - Know your Semi-finalists: Lion City Sailors (SGP)

Sun, 06 Apr, 2025

#ACLTwo - Know your Semi-finalists: Lion City Sailors (SGP)

Kuala Lumpur: Lion City Sailors FC will attempt to create history when they face Sydney FC in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25.

No Singapore side has lifted an Asian club title and with glory just three matches away, the Sailors will be determined to not slip up.

#ACLTwo - Know your Semi-finalists: Sharjah FC (UAE)

Sun, 06 Apr, 2025

#ACLTwo - Know your Semi-finalists: Sharjah FC (UAE)

Kuala Lumpur: Sharjah FC will be on a mission to lift their first ever Asian trophy when they take on Al Taawoun FC in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25.

One of the United Arab Emirates' most successful clubs, Sharjah are regular continental stage qualifiers but have never progressed beyond the quarter-final stage of the AFC Champions League™.

#ACLTwo - Know your Semi-finalists: Al Taawoun FC (KSA)

Fri, 04 Apr, 2025

#ACLTwo - Know your Semi-finalists: Al Taawoun FC (KSA)

Kuala Lumpur: Al Taawoun FC will be seeking a first ever continental title when they continue their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 journey with a semi-final meeting with Sharjah FC.

The Buraidah-based side have never won the Saudi Pro League title and having come so close to tasting continental glory, Al Taawoun can be expected to be fired up for their showdown with Sharjah, with the first leg to be played on Tuesday.

Asia's finest set for exciting challenge

Sun, 06 Apr, 2025

Asia's finest set for exciting challenge

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran will kick off their bid for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025 title against Mauritania.

Oman's campaign begins against Italy while Japan will feature in the opening match of the tournament when they face Guatemala.

Preview - Group B: UAE v Australia

Tue, 08 Apr, 2025

Preview - Group B: UAE v Australia

Taif: United Arab Emirates head coach Majed Salem wants his side to avoid mistakes when they take on Australia in their second AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 Group B clash at the King Fahd Sports City Stadium on Monday.

UAE lost 4-1 to defending champions Japan on Friday in a performance where the players’ could not fully focus after they had to cope with the sudden passing of team doctor Dr. Abdullah Baroun the day before.

Preview - Group B: Vietnam v Japan

Mon, 07 Apr, 2025

Preview - Group B: Vietnam v Japan

Taif: Japan will go all out to maintain their control in Group B of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 when they face Vietnam on Monday.

The 4-1 victory for Nozomi Hiroyama’s side against United Arab Emirates on Friday saw them lead the group with maximum points, two ahead of Vietnam and Australia who drew 1-1 in the other game.

A win against Vietnam will guarantee Japan a top two finish in the group, securing their place in the quarter-finals as well as sealing a spot at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.

Preview - Group C: Afghanistan v Korea Republic

Tue, 08 Apr, 2025

Preview - Group C: Afghanistan v Korea Republic

Jeddah: Korea Republic head coach Back Ki-tae is working hard to inspire his team ahead of their Group C match against Afghanistan on Monday at the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025.

The East Asians fell to a solitary goal against Indonesia two minutes into time added on Friday despite outplaying their opponents in what was their 70th match in tournament history. 

Preview - Group C: Indonesia v Yemen

Mon, 07 Apr, 2025

Preview - Group C: Indonesia v Yemen

Jeddah: Indonesia and Yemen will clash in the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 on Monday looking to maintain their winning starts in Group C.

Indonesia pulled off a major upset over two-time champions Korea Republic on Friday, with Evandra Florasta securing a last minute rebound winner from his saved spot-kick. Yemen eased past Afghanistan 2-0.

Chamanian wants more from IR Iran

Sun, 06 Apr, 2025

Chamanian wants more from IR Iran

Jeddah: Islamic Republic of Iran head coach Abbas Chamanian came away satisfied with his team’s performance against DPR Korea at the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 on Saturday but expects his players to improve in their remaining Group D matches. 

The 2008 champions fought back from going behind early to force a 1-1 draw, courtesy of Mehdi Sahneh's strike midway through the first half. 

The result leaves both teams desperately needing to win their second match to make the knockout stage and qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, with Tajikistan leading the standings after their 2-1 victory against Oman.

Ashuralizoda’s confidence gives Tajikistan winning start

Sun, 06 Apr, 2025

Ashuralizoda’s confidence gives Tajikistan winning start

Jeddah: Tajikistan’s Nazrullo Ashuralizoda didn't expect to score the match-winner against Oman in their AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 clash on Saturday but knew he could do so if the opportunity presented itself.

The 17-year-old’s strike in the 49th minute earned the 2018 runners-up a 2-1 victory over Oman in their first Group D match and put them on the top of the leaderboard after Islamic Republic of Iran and DPR Korea played to a 1-1 draw.

Kanda focused on powering Japan to hat-trick

Sat, 05 Apr, 2025

Kanda focused on powering Japan to hat-trick

Taif: Taito Kanda is determined Japan will not relinquish their hold on the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ trophy as he targets the Saudi Arabia 2025 accolade  to add to their 2023 and 2018 triumphs.

The Omiya Ardija player is absolute in his resolve on what his team needs to achieve in this tournament and anything else would be considered a disappointment as he looks to play his part after missing out on Japan’s qualifying campaign.