Djurdjevic thrilled with China PR's five-goal display

Sun, 16 Feb, 2025

Djurdjevic thrilled with China PR's five-goal display

Shenzhen: Dejan Djurdjevic expressed delight after China PR booked their place in the knockout stage of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 after defeating Kyrgyz Republic 5-2 on Saturday.

Substitute Zu Pengyu netted two late goals to put the tie to bed as China PR advanced to the quarter-finals with a match to spare. 

Head coach Djurdjevic fielded the same 11 who started in the 2-1 win over Qatar on Matchday One and the hosts never looked back after taking the lead in the 13th minute through Liu Chengyu.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_asian_cup.html/video/afcu20-|-group-a-kyrgyz-republic-2-5-china-pr

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Australia heading in the right direction, says Morgan

Sun, 16 Feb, 2025

Australia heading in the right direction, says Morgan

Shenzhen: Head coach Trevor Morgan is excited at what’s to come for Australia in the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 after their 3-1 win on Saturday clinched the Young Socceroos a place in the quarter-finals.

Maximum points from their two matches in Group A saw Australia join China PR in the next stage of the tournament with Morgan praising his charges for showing they could flourish even after going behind early in the game.

Group A - MD2: Kyrgyz Republic 2-5 China PR

Sun, 16 Feb, 2025

Group A - MD2: Kyrgyz Republic 2-5 China PR

Shenzhen: China PR sealed their spot in the knockout stage of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 after defeating Kyrgyz Republic 5-2 in their Group A fixture at the Baoan Sports Centre Stadium on Saturday.

Umar Madavinov cancelled out Liu Chengyu’s opener before China PR retook the lead through Wang Yudong just before the break. The home side then capitalised on Artem Istrashkin’ red card, with Mao Weijie adding their third. Yryskeldi Madanov pulled one back but Zhu Pengyu settled the tie with two late goals.

The win means Australia have also confirmed their quarter-final spot with the top two to meet on Tuesday to decide the group winners. 

Group A - MD2: Qatar 1-3 Australia

Sun, 16 Feb, 2025

Group A - MD2: Qatar 1-3 Australia

Shenzhen: Australia confirmed their spot in the knockout stage of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 after defeating Qatar 3-1 in their Group A tie on Saturday.

Goals from Alex Badolato, Dean Bosnjak and Daniel Bennie saw Australia roar to the three points after going behind to Mohamed Khaled Gouda’s goal.

Australia’s knockout stage berth was sealed with a match to spare after China PR defeated Kyrgyz Republic 5-2 later on Saturday. The top two - who are both on six points - will meet on Tuesday to decide the group winners.

#ACLElite - Shandong’s Qazaishvili wins MD7 (East) best goal poll

Fri, 21 Feb, 2025

#ACLElite - Shandong’s Qazaishvili wins MD7 (East) best goal poll

Kuala Lumpur: Valeri Qazaishvili emerged the winner of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 East Zone's Matchday 7 best goals poll with 61 percent of the votes.

Qazaishvili's fantastic strike for Shandong Taishan paved the way for the China PR side to collect three points against Korea Republic's Gwangju FC, with the forward advancing to the semi-finals.

Funakoshi proud of Japan's classy show

Sat, 15 Feb, 2025

Funakoshi proud of Japan's classy show

Shenzhen: Japan head coach Yuzo Funakoshi was in an upbeat mood after his side registered a satisfying 3-0 win over Thailand at the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025.

The 2023 quarter-finalists dominated from the start in their Group D opening match, and their three goals saw them leave Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch 1 with aim achieved.

Korea Republic's Lee cautious after nervy Syria win

Sat, 15 Feb, 2025

Korea Republic's Lee cautious after nervy Syria win

Shenzhen: Korea Republic made a winning start to their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group D campaign but the 2-1 triumph against Syria was not without complications.  

Head coach Lee Chang-won admitted that nerves got to his inexperienced players after they almost let slip a 2-0 advantage, with Syria forcing them on the back foot for much of the second half.

Fitness issues were another concern for Lee with Son Seung-min, Ha Jeong-woo and Baek Ming-gyu taken off before the hour mark.

Group D - MD1: Japan 3-0 Thailand

Sat, 15 Feb, 2025

Group D - MD1: Japan 3-0 Thailand

Shenzhen: Japan strolled to a comfortable 3-0 win over Thailand in their opening AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group D match at the Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch 1 on Friday.

The win, courtesy of goals from Hisatsugu Ishii, Rion Ichihara and Ryunosuke Sato sees Japan on level points with Korea Republic, who defeated Syria 2-1 earlier on Friday.

Group D - MD1: Korea Republic 2-1 Syria

Sat, 15 Feb, 2025

Group D - MD1: Korea Republic 2-1 Syria

Shenzhen: Korea Republic had to work hard before securing a 2-1 win against Syria in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group D opener at Longhua Cultural and Sports Centre Stadium on Friday.

The 12-time champions surged to a 2-0 first half lead but Syria produced a much-improved display after the break only to fall just short of a comeback.