Europe Wrap: Asia's finest put on impressive shows

Tue, 08 Apr, 2025

Europe Wrap: Asia's finest put on impressive shows

Kuala Lumpur: Asian stars getting their name on the scoresheet in European league action the last seven days included Australia’s Martin Boyle, Japan’s Ko Itakura, Iraq’s Ali Jasim and Uzbekistan’s Roma’s Eldor Shomurodov. 

It was another busy week for Asia’s best so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what they’ve been up to in Europe this past week.

Predict and win in the #ACLEliteFinals 2024/25 Matchup Challenge

Tue, 22 Apr, 2025

Predict and win in the #ACLEliteFinals 2024/25 Matchup Challenge

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 is heating up as the top clubs from across the continent converge in Saudi Arabia for the Finals where they will battle each other to become the new champions of Asia.  

Asian football fans also have the chance to showcase their game knowledge during the Finals by predicting the results of the matches, including the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final of the continental showpiece.  

Do you have what it takes to predict the next Asian champion? Register, test your football foresight and stand a chance to win the ultimate prize in this thrilling contest. 

Preview - S-final (1st Leg): Al Taawoun FC (KSA) v Sharjah FC (UAE)

Wed, 09 Apr, 2025

Preview - S-final (1st Leg): Al Taawoun FC (KSA) v Sharjah FC (UAE)

Buraidah: Al Taawoun FC and Sharjah FC will both be equally confident of their chances when they face off in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League™ Two 2024/25.

Al Taawoun will host Tuesday's first leg with the return fixture to be played next week.

Preview - Group D: DPR Korea v Tajikistan

Tue, 08 Apr, 2025

Preview - Group D: DPR Korea v Tajikistan

Jeddah: Tajikistan head coach Marco Ragini believes DPR Korea will put them through the mill when they meet in the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 on Tuesday.

The 2018 runners-up are sitting pretty at the top of Group D after defeating Oman 2-1 on Saturday. They are two points clear of Islamic Republic of Iran and DPR Korea, and a second victory will all but seal them a spot at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.

Preview - Group D: Oman v IR Iran

Wed, 09 Apr, 2025

Preview - Group D: Oman v IR Iran

Jeddah: Islamic Republic of Iran believe they have the upper hand in their face off with Oman in Group D of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 on Tuesday.

The Central Asian side played to a 1-1 draw with DPR Korea on Matchday One, and head coach Abbas Chamanian knows a win will firmly lodge his team in the group’s top two alongside Tajikistan.

Second half tinkering pays off for Saudi Arabia

Mon, 07 Apr, 2025

Second half tinkering pays off for Saudi Arabia

Taif: Abdulrahman Sufyani attributed a change in tactics for Saudi Arabia's 3-1 win against Thailand in Group A of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 on Sunday.

Tied at 1-1 at the break, Sufyani said the players were given a fresh set of instructions and tactics which ultimately turned the match in their favour with the Al Nassr U19 forward also getting on the scoresheet to make it 2-1 before Mukhtar Barnawi struck the third minutes later to seal the win.

The win not only sealed Saudi Arabia their knockout stage spot but also a ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.

Matchwinner Aliev hails Uzbekistan’s team spirit

Mon, 07 Apr, 2025

Matchwinner Aliev hails Uzbekistan’s team spirit

Taif: Matchwinner Asilbek Aliev paid homage to his Uzbekistan teammates after the forward headed in a late goal against China PR to send his country to the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 quarter-finals.

Aliev’s supersub moment in the 86th minute also booked the Central Asian side a ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, which resulted in the entire team running onto the pitch to celebrate at the final whistle.

The victory took Uzbekistan to maximum points with a showdown against Saudi Arabia to come on Wednesday to decide the Group A winners. 

Providing support comes naturally for Korea Republic’s Kim

Mon, 07 Apr, 2025

Providing support comes naturally for Korea Republic’s Kim

Jeddah: Korea Republic’s Kim Ji-sung has had a natural affinity for playing in midfield since he was young.

The now 17-year-old is raring to leave his mark at the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 in the same manner as he did in the Qualifiers, where he nabbed a hat-trick in his side’s 13-0 win over Maldives and helped them top Group C unbeaten.