Rustamov expects Uzbekistan to emulate recent success

Sun, 13 Apr, 2025

Rustamov expects Uzbekistan to emulate recent success

Taif: Uzbekistan winger Jamshidbek Rustamov, buoyed by his heroics in the final group match against Saudi Arabia, is determined to propel his country to glory once again.

Rustamov netted a second half brace, including a fine strike from outside the penalty box to help Uzbekistan to a 3-0 success over the hosts, giving them maximum points in Group A of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025.

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Dahal sets Saudi Arabia 2034 target

Sun, 13 Apr, 2025

Dahal sets Saudi Arabia 2034 target

Taif: Ever since the FIFA World Cup 2034 was officially awarded to Saudi Arabia, many aspiring footballers in the country have the ambition of being part of the host country’s squad in the global showpiece and it is no different for Sabri Dahal.

The flying winger is determined to push himself to the maximum in order to realise the dream of representing his country at the biggest stage on home soil.

Fujii moving mountains for Japan at #AFCU17

Sat, 12 Apr, 2025

Fujii moving mountains for Japan at #AFCU17

Taif: Shota Fujii will be taking plenty of experience away from the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 after an eventful group stage with Japan who clinched a quarter-final spot by the slimmest of margins.

Starting with a 4-1 win against the United Arab Emirates, defending champions Japan  were then held to a 1-1 stalemate by Vietnam before suffering a 3-2 defeat to Australia but still finished top in Group B.

Preview - Q-final: Uzbekistan v UAE

Mon, 14 Apr, 2025

Preview - Q-final: Uzbekistan v UAE

Taif: United Arab Emirates head coach Majed Salem said his team will play without pressure against an in-form Uzbekistan in Sunday’s AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 quarter-final at the King Fahd Sports City Stadium.

UAE qualified as the Group B runners-up, thanks to a display of grit and determination exemplified by their late equaliser in the final group game against Vietnam which confirmed their passage to the last eight.

Preview - Q-final: Japan v Saudi Arabia

Sun, 13 Apr, 2025

Preview - Q-final: Japan v Saudi Arabia

Taif: It’s set to be a blockbuster when Japan meet Saudi Arabia in the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 quarter-finals on Sunday.

Both ended their group stage campaigns with defeats, resulting in Saudi Arabia finishing as the Group A runners-up. Japan, however, topped Group B despite their defeat to Australia.

Shaikh Salman reaffirms AFC’s support towards Chinese FA

Sat, 12 Apr, 2025

Shaikh Salman reaffirms AFC’s support towards Chinese FA

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa met with the Chinese Football Association (CFA) President Song Kai in the Malaysian capital on Saturday to discuss ways to strengthen the development of the game in the world’s second most populous nation.

Shaikh Salman praised President Song Kai for spearheading a period of revitalisation anchored in the cherished principles of transparency, greater professionalism and good governance.

AFC President commends FA Thailand’s steady rise

Sat, 12 Apr, 2025

AFC President commends FA Thailand’s steady rise

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa praised the leadership of The Football Association of Thailand (FA Thailand) President Mrs. Nualphan Lamsam during their meeting in the Malaysian capital on Saturday. 

Shaikh Salman began the meeting by expressing his appreciation to FA Thailand for their spirit of partnership and consistently bringing their capabilities and expertise to bear through the hosting of several of the AFC’s competitions.

Stronger support for AFC MAs and RAs underlined by Shaikh Salman

Sat, 12 Apr, 2025

Stronger support for AFC MAs and RAs underlined by Shaikh Salman

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s commitment towards uplifting its Member Associations (MAs) and Regional Associations (RAs) was further emphasised at the 35th AFC Congress 2025, which concluded today in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

At the outset, the AFC President conveyed the condolences of the Asian football family to the communities affected by the ongoing conflict in Palestine as well as those impacted in Myanmar and Thailand following the devastating earthquake which has tragically claimed more than 3,000 lives.

Odilzoda optimistic Tajikistan will go further

Sat, 12 Apr, 2025

Odilzoda optimistic Tajikistan will go further

Jeddah: Tajikistan’s Mekhrubon Odilzoda is confident his side have the ability and composure to go beyond the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 quarter-finals after their commanding 3-1 win over Islamic Republic of Iran on Friday.

The result left Tajikistan at the top of Group D with six points, one clear of DPR Korea, and set up a clash with Group C runners-up Korea Republic in what promises to be an action-packed display of attacking football on Monday.

Comprehensive preparation pays off for DPR Korea

Sat, 12 Apr, 2025

Comprehensive preparation pays off for DPR Korea

Jeddah: Head coach O Thae Song expressed pride in his players after DPR Korea qualified for the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 quarter-finals.

DPR Korea were held to a 2-2 draw by Oman in their final Group D match on Friday, but the point was enough to take them through to not only the knockout stage but also secure their ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.

#AFCU17 - Knockout stage set to be spectacular affair

Sat, 12 Apr, 2025

#AFCU17 - Knockout stage set to be spectacular affair

Taif: The eight teams still in the running to lift the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 have been confirmed with Tajikistan and DPR Korea the final two sides to book their quarter-final spots.

Tajikistan defeated Islamic Republic of Iran 3-1 on Friday to top Group D while DPR Korea advanced as the runners-up following a 2-2 draw with Oman. 

Group D: Oman 2-2 DPR Korea

Sat, 12 Apr, 2025

Group D: Oman 2-2 DPR Korea

Jeddah: DPR Korea and Oman played to an entertaining 2-2 draw in their final AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 Group D match at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium on Friday.

The result meant DPR Korea finished as the group runners-up and will face Indonesia in the quarter-finals, having also secured a spot at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.

Group D: IR Iran 1-3 Tajikistan

Sat, 12 Apr, 2025

Group D: IR Iran 1-3 Tajikistan

Jeddah: Tajikistan defeated Islamic Republic of Iran 3-1 in an engrossing Group D match to make the quarter-finals of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium on Friday.

Tajikistan topped Group D with six points, one ahead of DPR Korea who drew 2-2 with Oman in a match played simultaneously.

Tajikistan - the 2018 runners-up - also qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 and will take on Group C runners-up Korea Republic in the knockout stage.

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.