Group B - MD3: Iraq 0-0 Jordan

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

Group B - MD3: Iraq 0-0 Jordan

Shenzhen: Iraq secured their place in the knockout stage of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 after finishing second in Group B following a 0-0 draw with Jordan at the Longhua Cultural and Sports Centre Stadium on Wednesday.

Iraq will meet Australia in the quarter-finals while Jordan were eliminated. Group winners Saudi Arabia set up a last eight showdown with China PR. 

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Group B - MD3: Saudi Arabia 2-1 DPR Korea

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

Group B - MD3: Saudi Arabia 2-1 DPR Korea

Shenzhen: Saudi Arabia came from behind to defeat DPR Korea 2-1 in their final AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group B match on Wednesday to book their spot in the quarter-finals.

Two wins from three matches saw the three-time champions progress as group winners with Iraq, who played out a goalless stalemate with Jordan in the other match, finishing as runners-up.

Saudi Arabia will meet China PR in the quarter-finals Iraq will play Australia.

Preview - Group D: Japan v Korea Republic

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

Preview - Group D: Japan v Korea Republic

Shenzhen: Korea Republic will keep one eye on the quarter-finals when they face Japan in their finalAFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group D match on Thursday.

Having secured their spot in the last eight with a game spare gives head coach Lee Chang-won the opportunity to keep his squad fresh for the knockout stage, even though their final position in the group is yet to be determined.

Preview - Group D: Syria v Thailand

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

Preview - Group D: Syria v Thailand

Shenzhen: Syria must win against Thailand on Thursday to stand a chance of making the quarter-finals of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025, with their qualification also dependent on the outcome of the Korea Republic-Japan match.

The 1994 champions are one point, with Japan a further two ahead and with a better goal difference. Korea Republic have already qualified after back-to-back wins. 

Morgan happy with Australia’s momentum; Djurdjevic wants sharper China PR

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

Morgan happy with Australia’s momentum; Djurdjevic wants sharper China PR

Shenzhen: Head coach Trevor Morgan believes Australia are on the right trajectory following their 2-1 victory over China PR on Tuesday which saw the Young Socceroos topping Group A of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 with a perfect record.

Despite rotating his lineup, Morgan’s side dictated terms despite China PR’s valiant efforts to turn the tie around. 

Qatar leave China 2025 on a high

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

Qatar leave China 2025 on a high

Shenzhen: Qatar made their exit from the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 with their first Group A win, and head coach Felix Sarriugarte was pleased that his side closed their campaign with their heads held high.

The West Asians dominated Kyrgyz Republic from the start in their 4-0 win, with different players finding the back of the net in a fluid, energetic performance. 

Johor Darul Tazim live up to Bidoglio’s expectations

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

Johor Darul Tazim live up to Bidoglio’s expectations

Johor Bahru: Head coach Hector Bidoglio was over the moon after his Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) side showed their immense quality to book their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 spot with a 5-2 defeat of FC Pohang Steelers of Korea Republic on Tuesday. 

The Malaysian champions roared back in style after going behind to Lee Ho-jae’s opener, with five players finding the net in what ultimately was an emphatic win at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, with JDT finishing fourth in the East Zone standings on 14 points.

Up next for them will be another Korea Republic side - Gwangju FC - with JDT having the advantage of playing the return leg at home. 

Loss wants Buriram to dream of glory

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

Loss wants Buriram to dream of glory

Gwangju: Head coach Osmar Loss has dared his Buriram United to dream big after they booked a spot in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage on Tuesday. 

Despite having to settle for a draw after giving up a two-goal advantage to Korea Republic’s Gwangju FC, the point was enough for the Thai side to advance with their last 16 opponents to be decided when the East Zone’s League Stage concludes on Wednesday.

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Lion City Sailors FC (SGP) 3 v 2 Muangthong United (THA)

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Lion City Sailors FC (SGP) 3 v 2 Muangthong United (THA)

Singapore: Muangthong United will believe they can complete the comeback when they travel to face Lion City Sailors in the return leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 last 16 tie on Thursday.

The Thai side looked to be down and out after trailing 3-0 just 27 minutes into the first leg but then capitalised on their numerical advantage when Singapore's Lion City Sailors were reduced to 10 men to pull two goals back.

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR) 4 v 0 Port FC (THA)

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR) 4 v 0 Port FC (THA)

Jeonju: A miracle comeback is unlikely for Port FC when they travel to face Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC in the return leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 last 16 tie on Thursday.

At stake for the winners is a quarter-final against either Australia's Sydney FC or Bangkok United of Thailand.

We showed our quality, says Sharjah's Olaroiu

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

We showed our quality, says Sharjah's Olaroiu

Sharjah: Cosmin Olaroiu praised the focus and determination of his players after Sharjah FC defeated Al Hussein on penalties to advance to the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 quarter-finals on Tuesday.

UAE's Sharjah, having won the first leg 1-0, started as favourites on home ground but were undone by Mahmoud Al Mardi's goal as the tie went into a shootout at the end of 120 minutes.

Olaroiu, however, believed Sharjah came to the fore when it mattered the most.