Japan remain Asia's best despite drop

Tue, 20 Jan, 2026

Japan remain Asia's best despite drop

Kuala Lumpur: Japan dropped one spot but remained the highest Asian team in the latest FIFA World Ranking released on Monday.

Four-time AFC Asian Cup™ winners Japan slipped to 19th, with several other Asian sides also suffering drops.

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Preview - S-final: Japan v Korea Republic

Tue, 20 Jan, 2026

Preview - S-final: Japan v Korea Republic

Jeddah:  Both teams are braced for a highly tactical battle when Japan meet Korea Republic in the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ on Tuesday.

It will be a meeting between familiar foes, with Japan aiming to emerge champions for a record-extending third time while Korea Republic want to add to their 2020 title. 

Traditional rivalry fuels Japan’s Sato, Korea Republic’s Lee

Mon, 19 Jan, 2026

Traditional rivalry fuels Japan’s Sato, Korea Republic’s Lee

Jeddah: Ryunosuke Sato and Lee Hyun-yong have promised a battle till the end when Japan and Korea Republic square off in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ semi-finals on Tuesday.

Traditional rivals, the sides have met three times previously in the competition - most notably the 2016 final where Korea Republic led 2-0 before Japan came back to win 3-2.

Preview - S-final: Vietnam v China PR

Tue, 20 Jan, 2026

Preview - S-final: Vietnam v China PR

Jeddah: Vietnam and China PR will lock horns in what promises to be a tightly contested AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ semi-final on Tuesday.

Both sides advanced to the penultimate stage in contrasting ways - Vietnam impressing with four wins while China PR had to battle every step of the way to reach the semi-finals for the first time.

Vietnam’s Tran, China PR’s Liu relishing showdown

Mon, 19 Jan, 2026

Vietnam’s Tran, China PR’s Liu relishing showdown

Jeddah: Vietnam’s Tran Trung Kien and China PR’s Liu Hoafan have promised their respective sides will spare no effort when the teams meet in the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ on Tuesday.

While Vietnam are seeking to go all the way after finishing runners-up in 2018, China PR are featuring in the semi-finals for the first time but will have the psychological advantage of not having lost to their Southeast Asian opponents in three previous meetings. 

Herdman vows to lead Indonesia to greater heights

Mon, 19 Jan, 2026

Herdman vows to lead Indonesia to greater heights

Jakarta: New Indonesia head coach John Herdman has said he will look to harness the enthusiasm of the nation’s passionate support to lead the country into uncharted territory, including at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™, after replacing Patrick Kluivert at the helm.

The Englishman, who led Canada to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, was unveiled last week and has already been impressed by the welcome he has received in the Southeast Asian nation.