Europe Wrap: Asia’s stars return in fine form

Tue, 07 Apr, 2026

Europe Wrap: Asia’s stars return in fine form

Kuala Lumpur: Asia’s best bounced back into action following the international break, with Korea Republic's Kim Min-jae taking Bayern Munich a step closer to the title.

Elsewhere Japan’s Ao Tanaka and Australia’s Ante Suto were among those finding the back of the net, so join the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe this past week.

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Preview - Group A: Thailand v China PR

Mon, 06 Apr, 2026

Preview - Group A: Thailand v China PR

Thammasat: It promises to be an explosive affair when Thailand and China PR clash to decide the Group A winners of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ on Tuesday.

Both sides have already confirmed their knockout stage spots with a match to spare, and a perfect group stage outing will see the winners meeting either one of the third-best placed teams. 

Preview - Group A: Vietnam v Bangladesh

Mon, 06 Apr, 2026

Preview - Group A: Vietnam v Bangladesh

Nonthaburi: Vietnam and Bangladesh will have everything to play for when the sides meet in their final Group A match of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ on Tuesday.

Both sides enter the tie with two successive defeats, rendering their final group stage encounter a last-ditch effort to reach the quarter-finals as one of the two best third-placed teams.

Usarova driven by Uzbekistan jersey

Mon, 06 Apr, 2026

Usarova driven by Uzbekistan jersey

Pathum Thani: As a child kicking the ball around with boys at school, Uzbekistan’s Rukhshona Usarova already knew that the football pitch was where her calling lay.

Not long after, almost every adult in her life -  from her parents to her teachers - shared that belief, as her potential earned her a move to Jizzakh to join Sogdiana FC as a young teenager.

Halmarick determined to emulate Kerr

Mon, 06 Apr, 2026

Halmarick determined to emulate Kerr

Pathum Thani: A year and a half ago, Australia’s Skye Halmarick was nursing a broken foot.

On Sunday, she celebrated a hat-trick in Australia’s 5–0 win over India at the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™.

Suzuki urges Japan to raise level

Mon, 06 Apr, 2026

Suzuki urges Japan to raise level

Pathum Thani: Haruko Suzuki insists Japan are still a work in progress despite the six-time champions booking their spot in the quarter-finals of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ with a 2-0 win against Chinese Taipei on Sunday.

The victory means Japan advanced with a match to spare and they will face Australia on Wednesday to decide the Group C winners.