Preview - Group D: DPR Korea v Tajikistan

Tue, 08 Apr, 2025

Preview - Group D: DPR Korea v Tajikistan

Jeddah: Tajikistan head coach Marco Ragini believes DPR Korea will put them through the mill when they meet in the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 on Tuesday.

The 2018 runners-up are sitting pretty at the top of Group D after defeating Oman 2-1 on Saturday. They are two points clear of Islamic Republic of Iran and DPR Korea, and a second victory will all but seal them a spot at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u17_asian_cup.html/video/afcu17-|-group-d-tajikistan-2–1-oman

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u17_asian_cup.html/video/afcu17-|-group-d-ir-iran-1–1-dpr-korea

Preview - Group D: Oman v IR Iran

Wed, 09 Apr, 2025

Preview - Group D: Oman v IR Iran

Jeddah: Islamic Republic of Iran believe they have the upper hand in their face off with Oman in Group D of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 on Tuesday.

The Central Asian side played to a 1-1 draw with DPR Korea on Matchday One, and head coach Abbas Chamanian knows a win will firmly lodge his team in the group’s top two alongside Tajikistan.

Second half tinkering pays off for Saudi Arabia

Mon, 07 Apr, 2025

Second half tinkering pays off for Saudi Arabia

Taif: Abdulrahman Sufyani attributed a change in tactics for Saudi Arabia's 3-1 win against Thailand in Group A of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 on Sunday.

Tied at 1-1 at the break, Sufyani said the players were given a fresh set of instructions and tactics which ultimately turned the match in their favour with the Al Nassr U19 forward also getting on the scoresheet to make it 2-1 before Mukhtar Barnawi struck the third minutes later to seal the win.

The win not only sealed Saudi Arabia their knockout stage spot but also a ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.

Matchwinner Aliev hails Uzbekistan’s team spirit

Mon, 07 Apr, 2025

Matchwinner Aliev hails Uzbekistan’s team spirit

Taif: Matchwinner Asilbek Aliev paid homage to his Uzbekistan teammates after the forward headed in a late goal against China PR to send his country to the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 quarter-finals.

Aliev’s supersub moment in the 86th minute also booked the Central Asian side a ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, which resulted in the entire team running onto the pitch to celebrate at the final whistle.

The victory took Uzbekistan to maximum points with a showdown against Saudi Arabia to come on Wednesday to decide the Group A winners. 

Providing support comes naturally for Korea Republic’s Kim

Mon, 07 Apr, 2025

Providing support comes naturally for Korea Republic’s Kim

Jeddah: Korea Republic’s Kim Ji-sung has had a natural affinity for playing in midfield since he was young.

The now 17-year-old is raring to leave his mark at the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 in the same manner as he did in the Qualifiers, where he nabbed a hat-trick in his side’s 13-0 win over Maldives and helped them top Group C unbeaten.

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. 

Preview - S-final (1st Leg): Al Taawoun FC (KSA) v Sharjah FC (UAE)

Wed, 09 Apr, 2025

Preview - S-final (1st Leg): Al Taawoun FC (KSA) v Sharjah FC (UAE)

Buraidah: Al Taawoun FC and Sharjah FC will both be equally confident of their chances when they face off in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League™ Two 2024/25.

Al Taawoun will host Tuesday's first leg with the return fixture to be played next week.

West Asia Wrap: Al Ittihad widen lead; Al Sadd go top

Mon, 07 Apr, 2025

West Asia Wrap: Al Ittihad widen lead; Al Sadd go top

Doha: Al Ittihad had to settle for a draw but still widened their lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League following Al Hilal SFC's defeat to Al Nassr Club.

Al Sadd SC took charge of the Qatar Stars League title race as they capitalised on Al Duhail SC suffering a shock loss.
 
There were also matches in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Oman so join the-AFC.com in our weekly wrap of the domestic action across West Asia.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Bengaluru make ISL final; Tractor extend lead

Mon, 07 Apr, 2025

Central & South Asia Wrap: Bengaluru make ISL final; Tractor extend lead

Mumbai: Bengaluru FC qualified for the Indian Super League final while Tractor continued to pull away from their challengers in the Iran Pro League.

There were also ups and downs for the leaders in the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Nepal leagues, so join the-AFC.com as we look at the domestic action across Central and South Asia this past week.

ASEAN Wrap: Five-star Thy powers Lion City Sailors; crucial win for Svay Rieng

Mon, 07 Apr, 2025

ASEAN Wrap: Five-star Thy powers Lion City Sailors; crucial win for Svay Rieng

Kuala Lumpur: Lennart Thy starred with five goals as Lion City Sailors maintained their tight grip on the Singapore Premier League title race.

Western United narrowed the gap to league leaders Auckland FC while Svay Rieng widened their lead in Cambodia.
 
Buriram United extended their lead in Thailand while there were also matches in Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.
 
The-AFC.com reviews the latest round of action across ASEAN. 

East Asia Wrap: Shanghai rivals deadlocked; Jeonbuk dent Daejeon’s charge; Tai Po pull away

Mon, 07 Apr, 2025

East Asia Wrap: Shanghai rivals deadlocked; Jeonbuk dent Daejeon’s charge; Tai Po pull away

Hong Kong: Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai Port remain neck and neck at the top of the Chinese Super League after their derby ended in a draw, while Chengdu Rongcheng moved into third with a convincing win.

Over in Korea Republic, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors handed leaders Daejeon a defeat as Gimcheon Sangmu and FC Seoul kept up the chase. In Japan, Machida Zelvia and Sanfrecce Hiroshima share top spot after a weekend of dramatic results, including a shock loss for defending champions Vissel Kobe.
 
Tai Po strengthened their grip on the Hong Kong Premier League title race with Lee Man narrowing the gap on second-placed Eastern.
 
Join the-AFC.com for your weekly review of the East Asian domestic scene.