Australia’s Pearson wants more; Japan’s Maeda braced for tough encounter

Wed, 13 May, 2026

Australia’s Pearson wants more; Japan’s Maeda braced for tough encounter

Suzhou: Willa Pearson is aiming for Australia to hit a second target while Misato Maedo of Japan expects another tough match when their two sides clash in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026™ semi-final on Thursday.

With both sides having also confirmed their places at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026, it is now a race for continental glory with Japan seeking a fifth title and Australia their first.

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#U17WAC - Q-final: Vietnam 0-2 Australia

Mon, 11 May, 2026

#U17WAC - Q-final: Vietnam 0-2 Australia

Suzhou: Australia booked their place in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026™ semi-finals after cruising 2-0 past Vietnam in their last eight tie at the Suzhou Sports Centre Stadium on Sunday.

The Young Matildas, who also confirmed their place at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026, will meet Japan in the semi-finals.

#U17WAC - Q-final: Japan 1-0 Korea Republic

Mon, 11 May, 2026

#U17WAC - Q-final: Japan 1-0 Korea Republic

Suzhou: Japan had to work hard before edging Korea Republic 1-0 in their AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026™ quarter-final tie on Monday.

Goalkeeper Ayaka Miyaji turned in a star performance as Japan advanced to the semi-finals and also booked their place at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 later this year.

Road to Final - Al Nassr Club (KSA)

Tue, 12 May, 2026

Road to Final - Al Nassr Club (KSA)

Riyadh: Al Nassr Club will be determined to end their long wait for a continental title by lifting the AFC Champions League Two™ trophy by beating Japan's Gamba Osaka in the final of the 2025/26 edition.

Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr won the Asian Cup Winners' Cup and Asian Super Cup in the 1990s but go into the final confident of their chances after being in imperious form on the continent this season.

The-AFC.com retraces Al Nassr's journey to the final, which they will host at the King Saud University Stadium on Saturday.

Road to Final: Gamba Osaka (JPN)

Tue, 12 May, 2026

Road to Final: Gamba Osaka (JPN)

Riyadh: Gamba Osaka will be aiming to add the AFC Champions League Two™ trophy to their cabinet when they take on Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr Club in the final of the 2025/26 edition on Saturday.

AFC Champions League™ winners in 2008, Gamba are seeking to become the first Japanese side to lift the AFC Champions League Two trophy.

The-AFC.com takes a look at how they reached the decider, which will be played at the King Saud University Stadium.

Final - Preview: Kuwait SC (KUW) v Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM)

Wed, 13 May, 2026

Final - Preview: Kuwait SC (KUW) v Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM)

Ardhiyah: Kuwait SC and Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC will both be seeking to create history when they meet in the AFC Challenge League 2025/26™ final on Wednesday.

Kuwait SC are bidding for a fourth continental title while Svay Rieng are aiming for their first after suffering heartbreak in last year's final.