#AFCU17 - Group stage in numbers

Sun, 13 Apr, 2025

#AFCU17 - Group stage in numbers

Taif: The group stage of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 concluded with a bang on Friday with eight teams continuing their journey to land the big prize.

Across the 24 matches played in Taif and Jeddah, there were plenty of goals to cheer and exciting drama to savour as the next generation of Asian talents took centrestage.

Join the-AFC.com as we delve into the fascinating statistics from nine days of non-stop action.

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Odilzoda optimistic Tajikistan will go further

Sat, 12 Apr, 2025

Odilzoda optimistic Tajikistan will go further

Jeddah: Tajikistan’s Mekhrubon Odilzoda is confident his side have the ability and composure to go beyond the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 quarter-finals after their commanding 3-1 win over Islamic Republic of Iran on Friday.

The result left Tajikistan at the top of Group D with six points, one clear of DPR Korea, and set up a clash with Group C runners-up Korea Republic in what promises to be an action-packed display of attacking football on Monday.

Comprehensive preparation pays off for DPR Korea

Sat, 12 Apr, 2025

Comprehensive preparation pays off for DPR Korea

Jeddah: Head coach O Thae Song expressed pride in his players after DPR Korea qualified for the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 quarter-finals.

DPR Korea were held to a 2-2 draw by Oman in their final Group D match on Friday, but the point was enough to take them through to not only the knockout stage but also secure their ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.

#AFCU17 - Knockout stage set to be spectacular affair

Sat, 12 Apr, 2025

#AFCU17 - Knockout stage set to be spectacular affair

Taif: The eight teams still in the running to lift the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 have been confirmed with Tajikistan and DPR Korea the final two sides to book their quarter-final spots.

Tajikistan defeated Islamic Republic of Iran 3-1 on Friday to top Group D while DPR Korea advanced as the runners-up following a 2-2 draw with Oman. 

Group D: Oman 2-2 DPR Korea

Sat, 12 Apr, 2025

Group D: Oman 2-2 DPR Korea

Jeddah: DPR Korea and Oman played to an entertaining 2-2 draw in their final AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 Group D match at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium on Friday.

The result meant DPR Korea finished as the group runners-up and will face Indonesia in the quarter-finals, having also secured a spot at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.

Group D: IR Iran 1-3 Tajikistan

Sat, 12 Apr, 2025

Group D: IR Iran 1-3 Tajikistan

Jeddah: Tajikistan defeated Islamic Republic of Iran 3-1 in an engrossing Group D match to make the quarter-finals of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium on Friday.

Tajikistan topped Group D with six points, one ahead of DPR Korea who drew 2-2 with Oman in a match played simultaneously.

Tajikistan - the 2018 runners-up - also qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 and will take on Group C runners-up Korea Republic in the knockout stage.

Custodian Park stands tall as Korea Republic advance

Fri, 11 Apr, 2025

Custodian Park stands tall as Korea Republic advance

Jeddah: Custodian Park Do-hun was glad to have come through for Korea Republic in their AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 Group C clash against Yemen on Thursday.

Leading 1-0 through Kim Eun-seong's first half goal, Korea Republic came under tremendous pressure after the break but Park and his teammates stood tall to not only advance to the quarter-finals but also earn their place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025. 

Relieved Hiroyama expects Japan to improve in knockout stage

Fri, 11 Apr, 2025

Relieved Hiroyama expects Japan to improve in knockout stage

Taif: Nozomi Hiroyama did not try to hide his relief after Japan squeezed into the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 quarter-finals despite suffering a 3-2 defeat to Australia on Thursday.

The defending champions ended the day as the Group B winners ahead of the United Arab Emirates and Australia, with all three finishing on four points.

The final standings were based on points, head-to-head, goal difference and number of goals of the teams tied.

Nova reminds Indonesia to stay focused

Fri, 11 Apr, 2025

Nova reminds Indonesia to stay focused

Jeddah: Nova Arianto has reminded his players to remain focused after the tactician's half-time changes paid off handsomely for Indonesia as they defeated Afghanistan 2-0 to top Group C of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 on Thursday.

Substitutes Fadly Alberto, Zahaby Gholy and Aldyansyah Taher were instrumental in taking Indonesia over the finish line, with the latter providing both assists in the closing stages to snatch a dramatic victory as the Southeast Asian side made it three wins out of three.

Nervous wait ends in joy for UAE

Fri, 11 Apr, 2025

Nervous wait ends in joy for UAE

Taif: Forward Mayed Adel said United Arab Emirates, despite a nervous wait, were confident they had done enough to progress to the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 quarter-finals after the final whistle of their 1-1 stalemate against Vietnam on Thursday.

Hazaa Faisal’s last-gasp header cancelled out Hoang Trong Duy Khang’s first half opener before the Emiratis had to endure an agonising wait to confirm their place in the knockout stage after Japan topped Group B despite losing 3-2 to Australia in their match.

The result meant Japan, UAE and Australia all finished on four points – with the West Asian side going through ahead of Australia on the head to head criteria.

Tajikistan always comes first for Nazriev

Fri, 11 Apr, 2025

Tajikistan always comes first for Nazriev

Jeddah: Behind Tajikistan’s Muhammad Nazriev’s quiet demeanor lies a goal-scoring, record-breaking machine.

The 17-year-old struck 14 times in his side’s 33-0 defeat of Guam at the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 Qualifiers.

His feat broke Archie Thompson’s 23-year-old record of 13 goals in a single game, scored during Australia’s 31-0 win over American Samoa in the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.   

Dahal sets Saudi Arabia 2034 target

Sun, 13 Apr, 2025

Dahal sets Saudi Arabia 2034 target

Taif: Ever since the FIFA World Cup 2034 was officially awarded to Saudi Arabia, many aspiring footballers in the country have the ambition of being part of the host country’s squad in the global showpiece and it is no different for Sabri Dahal.

The flying winger is determined to push himself to the maximum in order to realise the dream of representing his country at the biggest stage on home soil.

Yousuf wants his team to become the pride and joy of UAE

Sun, 13 Apr, 2025

Yousuf wants his team to become the pride and joy of UAE

Taif: United Arab Emirates defender Ibrahim Yousuf Al Jasmi wants nothing more than to continue spreading happiness to his countrymen, after helping his team reach the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 quarter-finals.

A defender who is modelling his game after the legendary Italian Paolo Maldini, the 16-year-old explained the thrill of advancing to the AFC U17 Asian Cup knockout phase, which also secured a ticket to the FIFA U17 World Cup Qatar 2025.

Rustamov expects Uzbekistan to emulate recent success

Sun, 13 Apr, 2025

Rustamov expects Uzbekistan to emulate recent success

Taif: Uzbekistan winger Jamshidbek Rustamov, buoyed by his heroics in the final group match against Saudi Arabia, is determined to propel his country to glory once again.

Rustamov netted a second half brace, including a fine strike from outside the penalty box to help Uzbekistan to a 3-0 success over the hosts, giving them maximum points in Group A of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025.

Fujii moving mountains for Japan at #AFCU17

Sat, 12 Apr, 2025

Fujii moving mountains for Japan at #AFCU17

Taif: Shota Fujii will be taking plenty of experience away from the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 after an eventful group stage with Japan who clinched a quarter-final spot by the slimmest of margins.

Starting with a 4-1 win against the United Arab Emirates, defending champions Japan  were then held to a 1-1 stalemate by Vietnam before suffering a 3-2 defeat to Australia but still finished top in Group B.