Urinboev proud of Uzbekistan’s resolve; Albadani rues Yemen’s luck

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Urinboev proud of Uzbekistan’s resolve; Albadani rues Yemen’s luck

Shenzhen: Uzbekistan kicked off their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group A campaign with a test of character, having to slog for a 1-0 win against Yemen on Thursday.

Despite the difficulties suffered in the match - especially in the second half as Yemen threatened to draw level on numerous occasions - goalscorer Muhammadali Urinboev preferred to see it as a match which highlighted the belief and determination of the Uzbekistan squad.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_asian_cup.html/video/afcu20-|-group-c-uzbekistan-1-0-yemen

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3069451

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3069453

Preview - Group D: Japan v Thailand

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Preview - Group D: Japan v Thailand

Shenzhen: Japan and Thailand are aiming to go all the way in the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025, with the two to square off in their Group D opener on Friday. 

Japan, who won their only title in 2016, were semi-finalists in 2018 and 2023 and runners-up on six occasions. Thailand did not qualify for the last showpiece, and their best showing since emerging champions in 1962 and 1969 was a third-place finish in 1994.

Both teams will go into the tie at Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base knowing that every point will make a difference in a tough group that also has 12-time winners Korea Republic and 1994 champions Syria. 

Preview - Group D: Korea Republic v Syria

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Preview - Group D: Korea Republic v Syria

Shenzhen: Head coach Lee Chang-woon does not expect the absence of several key players to stop Korea Republic from a record-extending 13th AFC U20 Asian Cup™ title. 

With qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 also at stake, Lee expects his squad to kick off their challenge with victory against Syria in their Group D opener on Friday.

Group C - MD1: Uzbekistan 1-0 Yemen

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Group C - MD1: Uzbekistan 1-0 Yemen

Shenzhen: Uzbekistan began the defence of their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ title on a positive note after they defeated Yemen 1-0 in their opening Group C match at China 2025 on Thursday.

Muhammadali Urinboev’s powerful header in the first half proved to be the only difference between the two sides in a closely fought contest at Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch 1.

Group C - MD1: IR Iran 3-0 Indonesia

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Group C - MD1: IR Iran 3-0 Indonesia

Shenzhen: Islamic Republic of Iran outplayed Indonesia 3-0 in their opening AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group C match at the Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Centre Stadium on Thursday. 

Goals from Hesam Nafari, Esmaeil Gholizadeh and Mobin Dehghan placed the four-time champions in pole position with Uzbekistan, who beat Yemen 1-0 in the opening Group C match earlier.

Group B - MD1: Jordan 0-1 Saudi Arabia

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Group B - MD1: Jordan 0-1 Saudi Arabia

Shenzhen: Saad Haqawi’s second half strike earned Saudi Arabia a 1-0 win over Jordan in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group B opener at the Baoan Sports Centre Stadium on Thursday.

The win sees Saudi Arabia leading the standings following the earlier 1-1 draw between Iraq and DPR Korea.

Group B - MD1: Iraq 1-1 DPR Korea

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

Group B - MD1: Iraq 1-1 DPR Korea

Shenzhen:: DPR Korea came back from a goal down to secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Iraq in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group B opener at the Longhua Cultural and Sports Centre Stadium on Thursday.

Substitute Kim Jin Song came to the East Asian side’s rescue in the 62nd minute, cancelling out Aymen Luay’s first half opener to force a share of the spoils.

R16, 1st Leg: Muangthong United (THA) 2-3 Lion City Sailors FC (SGP)

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

R16, 1st Leg: Muangthong United (THA) 2-3 Lion City Sailors FC (SGP)

Nonthaburi: Lion City Sailors narrowly survived Song Ui-young’s second half sending off to seal a 3-2 win over Muangthong United in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 last 16 clash in Thailand on Thursday as a late Tristan Do header revitalised the tie ahead of the second leg.

Shawal Anuar, Maxime Lestienne and Bart Ramselaar all scored inside the opening 27 minutes to give Lion City a blistering start to the tie but Song’s red card seven minutes after the restart almost undermined their efforts.

Melvyn Lorenzen pulled one back for the hosts in the 59th minute and Do scored with the final touch of the game in the 100th minute to set up an intriguing return clash at Jalan Besar Stadium next Thursday.

R16, 1st Leg: Port FC (THA) 0-4 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR)

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

R16, 1st Leg: Port FC (THA) 0-4 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR)

Pathum Thani: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors all-but-booked their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 on Thursday as new manager Gus Poyet’s team handed Thailand’s Port FC a 4-0 defeat in Bangkok.

Recent signing Andrea Compagno scored twice while Park Jin-seop and Song Min-kyu were also on target for the former AFC Champions League™ winners to put the side from Korea Republic in total control ahead of next week’s second leg at Jeonju World Cup Stadium.