Australia’s Macnicol frustrated by draw; Roland proud of Vietnam’s fight back

Sat, 05 Apr, 2025

Australia’s Macnicol frustrated by draw; Roland proud of Vietnam’s fight back

Taif: Quinn Macnicol had mixed feelings after Australia were held 1-1 by Vietnam in their opening AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 Group B tie on Friday.

Macnicol struck the opener four minutes before the break but Australia were not able to hold the advantage with the captain rueing several missed chances, including his spot-kick, at Okaz Stadium.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u17_asian_cup.html/video/afcu17-|-group-b-australia-1–1-vietnam

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3080924

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3080926

Group B: Australia 1-1 Vietnam

Sat, 05 Apr, 2025

Group B: Australia 1-1 Vietnam

Taif: Vietnam fought back to hold Australia 1-1 in their opening AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 Group B match on Friday.

Quinn Macnicol opened the scoring for Australia late in the first half but Vietnam bounced back in the second half with Hoang Trong Duy Khang’s strike ensuring a share of the spoils.

Group B: Japan 4-1 UAE

Sat, 05 Apr, 2025

Group B: Japan 4-1 UAE

Taif: Defending champions Japan opened their AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia campaign with an impressive 4-1 win over United Arab Emirates in Group B action at the King Fahd Sports City Stadium on Friday.

Victory for Japan against Vietnam - who drew 1-1 with Australia in the earlier match - on Monday will almost surely guarantee them a quarter-final berth and a spot at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, while UAE need a result against Australia.

Oman’s Al Rashdi following in father’s footsteps

Sat, 05 Apr, 2025

Oman’s Al Rashdi following in father’s footsteps

Jeddah: It is no surprise that Oman forward Al Walid Al Rashdi feels so at home on the pitch, given that he comes from a football-loving family.

The striker, who will lead Oman’s charge at the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025, was introduced to the game by his father, who coincidentally played for Nizwa FC, the same Oman First Division League club Al Rashdi represents.

Matari pleased with role in Saudi Arabia's winning start

Fri, 04 Apr, 2025

Matari pleased with role in Saudi Arabia's winning start

Taif: Abdulhari Matari was delighted to have played his part as Saudi Arabia kicked off their AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 campaign with a 2-1 win against China PR on Thursday.

Matari opened the scoring in the 11th minute with Osama Al Daghmah doubling their lead in first half added time, with China PR scoring a late consolation through Wei Xiangxin.

Potent Uzbekistan boost Sodikov's confidence

Fri, 04 Apr, 2025

Potent Uzbekistan boost Sodikov's confidence

Taif: Midfielder Sayfiddin Sodikov believes Uzbekistan's attacking prowess can take them to the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 title.

Sodikov proved a key mastermind, providing assists for Sadriddin Khasanov and Nurbek Sarsenbaev in the opening 13 minutes as Uzbekistan defeated Thailand 4-1 to go top of Group A on Thursday.

Baker vows to defend Indonesia with all his heart

Fri, 04 Apr, 2025

Baker vows to defend Indonesia with all his heart

Jeddah: Indonesia’s Mathew Baker’s more memorable moments of his playing career took place at the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 Qualifiers, where he scored his first international goal and when his team played Australia.

The defender was overjoyed when his eighth-minute strike against Kuwait won his side their opening match, but there was a different emotion in play during their final tie against Australia.

Ahmadi determined to power Afghanistan to glory

Fri, 04 Apr, 2025

Ahmadi determined to power Afghanistan to glory

Jeddah: Afghanistan midfielder Arash Ahmadi has come a long way from playing on dirt pitches.

The 17-year-old is today his team’s leading light at the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 after playing a starring role in the Qualifiers where he found the back of the net five times in four matches to help Afghanistan finish unbeaten in their group unbeaten.

UAE always first for Adel

Fri, 04 Apr, 2025

UAE always first for Adel

Taif: Mayed Adel has always prided himself as being trigger-happy at the sight of goal.

This attitude will see him as the key frontman for the United Arab Emirates at the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia.

#ACLTwo - Know your Semi-finalists: Sharjah FC (UAE)

Sun, 06 Apr, 2025

#ACLTwo - Know your Semi-finalists: Sharjah FC (UAE)

Kuala Lumpur: Sharjah FC will be on a mission to lift their first ever Asian trophy when they take on Al Taawoun FC in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25.

One of the United Arab Emirates' most successful clubs, Sharjah are regular continental stage qualifiers but have never progressed beyond the quarter-final stage of the AFC Champions League™.

IR Iran, Thailand lead Asia

Fri, 04 Apr, 2025

IR Iran, Thailand lead Asia

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran climbed into the top five of the FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking in the latest list released on Friday.

In the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Ranking, Thailand lead the way in fifth.

#ACLTwo - Know your Semi-finalists: Al Taawoun FC (KSA)

Fri, 04 Apr, 2025

#ACLTwo - Know your Semi-finalists: Al Taawoun FC (KSA)

Kuala Lumpur: Al Taawoun FC will be seeking a first ever continental title when they continue their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 journey with a semi-final meeting with Sharjah FC.

The Buraidah-based side have never won the Saudi Pro League title and having come so close to tasting continental glory, Al Taawoun can be expected to be fired up for their showdown with Sharjah, with the first leg to be played on Tuesday.