Europe Wrap: Endo, Maeda celebrate title triumphs

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Europe Wrap: Endo, Maeda celebrate title triumphs

Kuala Lumpur: Japan’s Wataru Endo became the fourth Japanese player to win the English Premier League title on Sunday, following the exploits of Shinji Kagawa, Shinji Okazaki and Takumi Minamino.

Endo was joined by compatriot Daizen Maeda who helped Celtic win the Scottish Premiership, so join the-AFC.com as we follow the trail of Asian stars in Europe this past week.

Preview - SF: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Wed, 30 Apr, 2025

Preview - SF: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Jeddah: Jorge Jesus and Matthias Jaissle are expecting an extremely tight contest when Al Hilal SFC and Al Ahli Saudi FC face off in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Tuesday.

With both sides highly familiar with each other, Al Hilal head coach Jesus and his Al Ahli counterpart Jaissle will resist tinkering too much in the showdown between two Saudi Arabian clubs. 

This season’s Saudi Pro League meetings between the two ended with one win each, adding more spice to what will surely be a blockbuster showdown at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

Kessie: Al Ahli ready for tough test

Mon, 28 Apr, 2025

Kessie: Al Ahli ready for tough test

Jeddah: Franck Kessie and Al Ahli Saudi FC are fully focused on the task at hand as they prepare to take on Al Hilal SFC in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Tuesday.

Highlighting the familiarity between the two Saudi Pro League sides, the midfielder stressed the importance of Al Ahli maintaining a high level of concentration in their bid to lift the coveted trophy for the first time. 

Al Hilal have eyes locked on final, says Malcolm

Mon, 28 Apr, 2025

Al Hilal have eyes locked on final, says Malcolm

Jeddah: Malcom is confident Al Hilal SFC will have no problem in producing their best when they face Al Ahli Saudi FC in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Tuesday.

The Brazilian forward scored his third goal of the tournament in Al Hilal’s emphatic 7-0 quarter-final win over Korea Republic’s Gwangju FC on Friday, a performance that underlined the four-time champions' intent.

S-final - Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA): Facts & Figures

Mon, 28 Apr, 2025

S-final - Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA): Facts & Figures

Jeddah: Al Hilal SFC and Al Ahli Saudi FC are set for a blockbuster showdown in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Tuesday.

The face-off between the two Saudi Arabian rivals promises to be epic and the-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts and figures from both sides.

Van Wermeskerken hails Frontale’s work ethic

Mon, 28 Apr, 2025

Van Wermeskerken hails Frontale’s work ethic

Jeddah: Substitute Shin Yamada provided a perfect assist for captain Yasuto Wakizaka to fire home the winning goal against Qatar’s Al Sadd SC, sending Kawasaki Frontale of Japan into the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Sunday. 

Among those celebrating the hard-fought 3-2 win after extra time was defender Sai van Wermeskerken, who hailed his team’s confidence and preparation ahead of the match-up.

#U20WAC Qualifiers draw finalised

Sun, 27 Apr, 2025

#U20WAC Qualifiers draw finalised

Kuala Lumpur: The 33 hopefuls learned their AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Qualifiers 2026 opponents following the official draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Monday.

The teams were divided into seven groups of four teams and one group of five with the Qualifiers to be played on August 2-10.

The teams will be vying for 11 tickets to the Finals, to be hosted by Thailand on April 1-18 next year. The eight group winners and three  best runners-up will advance. 

Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr Club crowned champions of inaugural AFC eChampions League Elite 2025

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr Club crowned champions of inaugural AFC eChampions League Elite 2025

Jeddah: Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr Club defeated the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Persepolis FC to emerge as winners of the inaugural edition of the AFC eChampions League Elite on Monday.

The tournament, which kicked off last Thursday at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall, was packed with high-intensity matches involving 16 teams representing clubs participating in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25.

Know Your Team: IR Iran

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Know Your Team: IR Iran

Kuala Lumpur: Fresh from lifting the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 in March, Islamic Republic of Iran will shift their focus towards the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025 that kicks off on Thursday.

Naderi Hossein’s side were unstoppable in Pattaya, defeating all before them - including beating Oman 8-1 in the final - to lift their fourth Asian title.

Know Your Team: Oman

Mon, 28 Apr, 2025

Know Your Team: Oman

Kuala Lumpur: Oman are adamant that they will not be making up the numbers at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025.

The West Asian side turned heads at the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 with a runners-up finish and buoyed by the achievement, are aiming to go far at the global showpiece.