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. 

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u17_asian_cup.html/video/afcu17-|-group-c-korea-republic-1-0-yemen

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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.

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.

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.   

We have a responsibility to deliver, says IR Iran's Garachchomaghloo

Fri, 11 Apr, 2025

We have a responsibility to deliver, says IR Iran's Garachchomaghloo

Jeddah: Omid Garachchomaghloo believes improvements are needed for Islamic Republic of Iran if they are to advance to the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 quarter-finals.

The 17-year-old emerged the leading scorer for his side with four goals against Hong Kong, China, at the Qualifiers, and his impactful play in midfield and attack helped Iran to a runners-up finish behind DPR Korea but the Central Asian side's hopes of lifting the title suffered a blow following their 3-2 defeat to Oman on Matchday Two.

Group C: Korea Republic 1-0 Yemen

Fri, 11 Apr, 2025

Group C: Korea Republic 1-0 Yemen

Jeddah: Korea Republic edged Yemen 1-0 to qualify for the quarter-finals of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium on Thursday.

The win means the two-time champions finished second in Group C behind Indonesia, who won 2-0 against Afghanistan in their final match. 

Korea Republic, who also booked their place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 alongside Indonesia, will meet the Group D winners in the quarter-finals. Yemen ended their campaign in third.

Group C: Afghanistan 0-2 Indonesia

Fri, 11 Apr, 2025

Group C: Afghanistan 0-2 Indonesia

Jeddah: Indonesia finished top of Group C after a 2-0 win against Afghanistan in their AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 tie at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium on Thursday.

The Southeast Asian side, who scored twice in time added on, finished with nine points and will meet the Group D runners-up in the quarter-finals while Afghanistan exited the competition after three defeats. 

Preview - Group D: Oman v DPR Korea

Sat, 12 Apr, 2025

Preview - Group D: Oman v DPR Korea

Jeddah: DPR Korea and Oman will go for broke in their final AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 Group D encounter on Friday as they look to make the quarter-finals. 

A win for DPR Korea will give them an unassailable seven points while victory for Oman, on three points, will leave their opponents relying on the outcome of the Tajikistan-Islamic Republic of Iran tie contested on the same day.

Preview - Group D: IR Iran v Tajikistan

Sat, 12 Apr, 2025

Preview - Group D: IR Iran v Tajikistan

Jeddah: Tajikistan head coach Marco Ragini will need to deal with the loss of a key defensive player in their final AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 match with Islamic Republic of Iran on Friday.

Mehrojidin Rozykov was sent off in their 3-0 Group D loss to DPR Korea, and this is a huge blow to Ragini as his side must defeat Iran to stand any hope of making the quarter-finals. 

The 2008 runners-up, who beat Oman 2-1 on Matchday One, are on three points, level with Oman and one behind leaders DPR Korea.

Khabibullaev: Win against Saudi Arabia strengthens Uzbekistan’s title resolve

Thu, 10 Apr, 2025

Khabibullaev: Win against Saudi Arabia strengthens Uzbekistan’s title resolve

Taif: Mukhammad Khabibullaev is focused on lifting the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 trophy come April 20 after Uzbekistan completed their Group A campaign in style by beating Saudi Arabia 3-0 on Wednesday.

Khabibullaev set up a breakaway second goal in the 62nd minute on a silver platter for Asilbek Aliev to kill off Saudi Arabia’s hopes of a comeback and the midfielder, while not wanting to assume the favourites tag, said Uzbekistan have no fear going into the knockout stage.

Scoring a small consolation for Abudoushalamu

Thu, 10 Apr, 2025

Scoring a small consolation for Abudoushalamu

Taif: Forward Buniyaming Abudoushalamu was relieved to help China PR to a 2-0 win over Thailand, but expressed regret they could not progress beyond the group stage.

Abudoushalamu netted a second half penalty to help China PR earn three points in their final AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 Group A clash on Wednesday, with Jiang Zhiqin later adding gloss to the scoreline.