#AFCU17 - Road to Final: Saudi Arabia

Sat, 19 Apr, 2025

#AFCU17 - Road to Final: Saudi Arabia

Taif: Backed by passionate home support, Saudi Arabia have made it to the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ final with sheer determination and nerves of steel. 

Two back-to-back penalty shootout wins speak volumes of the character of the hosts' squad.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u17_asian_cup.html/video/afcu17-|-group-a-saudi-arabia-2–1-china-pr

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u17_asian_cup.html/video/afcu17-|-group-a-thailand-1–3-saudi-arabia

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u17_asian_cup.html/video/afcu17-|-group-a-saudi-arabia-0-3-uzbekistan

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u17_asian_cup.html/video/afcu17-|-quarter-finals-japan-2-2-3-2-saudi-arabia

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u17_asian_cup.html/video/afcu17-|-semi-finals-saudi-arabia-1-3-1-1-korea-republic

#AFCU17 - Road to Final: Uzbekistan

Sat, 19 Apr, 2025

#AFCU17 - Road to Final: Uzbekistan

Taif:  Uzbekistan’s finest have marched through the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 with purpose and precision.

From day one, Uzbekistan have looked like title contenders and now they stand just one win away from being crowned kings of Asia once again.

The-AFC.com retraces the young White Wolves' journey so far.

Know Your Coach - Mario da Silva (Saudi Arabia)

Sat, 19 Apr, 2025

Know Your Coach - Mario da Silva (Saudi Arabia)

Taif: Mario da Silva’s pragmatic approach has been one of the key drivers for Saudi Arabia at the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 as the two-time champions remain in the hunt for their first title since 1988.

The Brazilian has navigated his team past former champions Japan and Korea Republic in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively, displaying adaptability that has brought success.

Know Your Coach - Islombek Ismoilov (Uzbekistan)

Sat, 19 Apr, 2025

Know Your Coach - Islombek Ismoilov (Uzbekistan)

Taif: Islombek Ismoilov has the dream job of keeping a supremely talented squad happy as his red-hot Uzbekistan side looks to add the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 title to their 2012 win.

Uzbekistan have been simply irresistible, winning all their matches in regulation time - scoring 15 goals - and head coach Ismoilov have the tough task of ensuring everyone gets their time on the pitch.

Ismoilov praises Uzbekistan’s focused display

Fri, 18 Apr, 2025

Ismoilov praises Uzbekistan’s focused display

Taif: Uzbekistan head coach Islombek Ismoilov hailed his players’ performance after they comprehensively beat DPR Korea 3-0 to book an AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 final showdown against Saudi Arabia.

The young White Wolves were completely in control of the semi-final clash against their opponents who were reduced to 10-man in the first half at the King Fahd Sports City Stadium on Thursday.

Thorough preparation pays off for Saudi Arabia’s Al Otaibi

Fri, 18 Apr, 2025

Thorough preparation pays off for Saudi Arabia’s Al Otaibi

Taif: For the second match running, goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al Otaibi performed heroics for Saudi Arabia in the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 as his nation booked their place in Sunday’s title showdown.

Having already saved one spot-kick in the 3-2 shootout win against Japan in the quarter-finals, Al Otaibi proved himself to be a penalty expert after he saved from 12 yards against Korea Republic in their semi-final on Thursday.

Al Otaibi denied Jeong Hyeon-ung and Kim Do-yeon, with Korea Republic also missing through Kim Min-chan’s off-target effort as Saudi Arabia sealed a 3-1 victory with the custodian putting it down to good preparatory work.

#ACLElite - Mahrez tops best goal of R16 (West)

Sat, 19 Apr, 2025

#ACLElite - Mahrez tops best goal of R16 (West)

Kuala Lumpur: Riyad Mahrez’s stunning strike against Qatar’s Al Rayyan SC has been voted as the best goal of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 (West) Round of 16.

Mahrez showed grace and composure inside a packed Al Rayyan box to open Al Ahli Saudi’s account before the midfield maestro doubled his tally to seal the win.

Ultimate glory beckons at #ACLElite Finals

Thu, 24 Apr, 2025

Ultimate glory beckons at #ACLElite Finals

Kuala Lumpur: Asia’s top eight sides will gather for a spectacular showdown next weekend when the Continent’s top-tier men’s club tournament culminates with the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite) Finals Jeddah 2025.

Set to be played between Friday, April 25 and Saturday, May 3, the quest for ultimate glory in the ACL Elite 2024/25 continues with four blockbuster Quarter-final battles in the Saudi Arabian city, which will also host both the Semi-finals as well as the showpiece Final in a unique centralised format.

Know Your Teams: Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Sat, 19 Apr, 2025

Know Your Teams: Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Kuala Lumpur: Al Sadd SC will be on a mission to end a long wait in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Finals.

The Qatari side will face Japan's Kawasaki Frontale in what promises to be a titanic quarter-final at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium.

Know Your Teams: Al Nassr Club (KSA)

Fri, 18 Apr, 2025

Know Your Teams: Al Nassr Club (KSA)

Kuala Lumpur: Al Nassr Club will spare no effort in attempting to lift the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 title when the Finals kick off next week.

Having had to previously settle for two semi-final finishes, Al Nassr will feel this is their best chance to lay their hands on the coveted trophy after having cruised into the knockout stage.

Know Your Teams: Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Thu, 17 Apr, 2025

Know Your Teams: Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Kuala Lumpur: Al Hilal SFC will head into the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals 2024/25 determined to lift the Asian title for a fifth time.

Jorge Jesus' side were denied by eventual champions Al Ain FC of the UAE in the semi-finals of the 2024/25 edition and will spare no effort in making sure they go all the way.

Know Your Teams: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Wed, 16 Apr, 2025

Know Your Teams: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Kuala Lumpur: The kick off for the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals 2024/25 is just over a week away with the eight teams in their final phase of preparations.

Ahead of the quarter-final action kicking off on April 25, the-AFC.com takes a look at the remaining eight sides, with Al Ahli Saudi FC the first to be featured.

Semi-Automated Offside Technology to be implemented at #ACLElite Finals Jeddah 2025

Tue, 15 Apr, 2025

Semi-Automated Offside Technology to be implemented at #ACLElite Finals Jeddah 2025

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will mark another milestone in match officiating with the introduction of the Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) system at the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite) Finals Jeddah 2025.

It will be the maiden implementation of SAOT at an AFC club competition, following the system’s debut at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, which saw the AFC become the first Confederation in world football to apply the system at the Continental Men’s national team level.

Marinos and Holland go separate ways

Fri, 18 Apr, 2025

Marinos and Holland go separate ways

Yokohama: Yokohama F Marinos have announced the termination of Steve Holland’s contract as manager just over a week before the J1 League club take on Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite in Jeddah.

The Englishman, who was appointed in December as the long-term replacement for Harry Kewell, was removed from his post after the club suffered a 3-2 loss to Shimizu S-Pulse on Wednesday.

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.