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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Thy urges caution as Sailors bid to create history

Thu, 10 Apr, 2025

Thy urges caution as Sailors bid to create history

Singapore: As the final whistle blew at Jalan Besar Stadium, Lion City Sailors knew they had taken a massive step towards the AFC Champions League Two™ 2025/25 final after defeating Sydney FC 2-0 on Wednesday.

Dutch forward Lennart Thy, however, has warned the Singapore side to be cautious in next week’s return leg in Sydney as the Sailors chase a first ever appearance in a continental final. 

S-Final - 1st Leg: Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM) 3-0 Madura United (IDN)

Fri, 11 Apr, 2025

S-Final - 1st Leg: Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM) 3-0 Madura United (IDN)

Phnom Penh: Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng will take a 3-0 lead into the second leg of their AFC Challenge League™ 2024/25 semi-final with Madura United of Indonesia next week after Pep Munoz’s side put on a commanding display in the first leg in Phnom Penh on Thursday.

The Cambodians made a blistering start and two goals in the opening six minutes from Breno Caetano and Bounphachan Bounkong set Svay Rieng up to claim a healthy advantage ahead of the return meeting in Gresik’s Gelora Joko Samudro Stadium next Thursday.