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.   

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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.

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.

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.

Group B: Japan 2-3 Australia

Fri, 11 Apr, 2025

Group B: Japan 2-3 Australia

Taif: Defending champions Japan advanced to the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 quarter-finals despite losing 3-2 to Australia in their concluding Group B tie on Thursday.

United Arab Emirates’ 1-1 draw with Vietnam in the other match meant that Japan finished top of the group with UAE the runners-up, with both also sealing their places at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025. The East Asian side will meet Group A runners-up Saudi Arabia in the quarter-finals.

Australia missed out despite also finishing on four points with the final standings based on points, head-to-head, goal difference and number of goals of the teams tied.

Group B: Vietnam 1-1 UAE

Fri, 11 Apr, 2025

Group B: Vietnam 1-1 UAE

Taif: Hazaa Faisal Madhi’s late equaliser against Vietnam sealed the United Arab Emirates their berth in the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 quarter-finals on Thursday. 

Madhi’s 87th minute effort meant UAE forced a 1-1 draw to finish second in Group B behind defending champions Japan, with Australia missing out despite all three teams concluding on four points.  UAE will meet Group A winners Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals.

The final standings were based on points, head-to-head, goal difference and number of goals of the teams tied with Japan having beaten UAE 4-1 in their opener while the West Asian side defeated Australia 2-0 in their encounter. 

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. 

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.

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.

Abdulatif, Yemen’s goal scoring defender

Thu, 10 Apr, 2025

Abdulatif, Yemen’s goal scoring defender

Jeddah: For someone whose primary role is to stop the opposition from scoring, Yemen’s Karem Abdulatif enjoys doing just the opposite.

The defender stole the spotlight at the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 Qualifiers by leveling the score in their 3-2 win over Kyrgyz Republic, scoring in a 1-1 draw with Vietnam and finding the back of the net once in their 6-1 defeat of Myanmar.