Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Jakarta: Witan Sulaeman lit up the opening night of Indonesia's 2018 AFC U-19 Championship campaign with two decisive goals against Chinese Taipei, but his focus remains solely on the tasks ahead of the host nation.
The 18-year-old's (pictured above, right) brace proved crucial for Indra Sjafri's side. His first goal, a close-range headed effort, gave them a 2-1 lead in 70th minute over the well-organised visitors, before his second effectively killed off the tie if the dying minutes.
The winger also supplied the cross for Egy Maulana Vikri's 50th minute opener to seal a superb performance and send the 17,000-strong crowd at Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno Stadium home happy.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Jakarta: Ali Saleh produced a virtuoso performance as he helped the United Arab Emirates begin their AFC U-19 Championship campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Qatar on Thursday.
The talented 18-year-old produced a deft assist and a superb goal to hand his side the perfect start to their Group A campaign with games against Chinese Taipei and host nation Indonesia still to come for head coach Ludovic Batelli’s charges.
After a bright start in sultry conditions, Qatar fashioned the first chance of the game, midfielder Abdollah Ali fizzing a shot narrowly wide of the target with four minutes played.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Jakarta: Witan Sulaeman’s second half brace proved the difference as hosts Indonesia overcame a resilient Chinese Taipei to record a 3-1 win on Thursday to begin their 2018 AFC U-19 Championship campaign on a positive note.
The victory handed the Southeast Asians an ideal start to the competition against a side they had, for long periods, struggled to break down at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
The result sees Indra Sjafri’s charges go top of the Group A table ahead of the United Arab Emirates who beat Qatar 2-1 earlier in the day.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bogor: Head coach Masanaga Kageyama believes reigning champions Japan may well not have things all their own way as they look to retain the AFC U-19 Championship title they won two years ago.
The East Asians, who were crowned champions in 2016 after beating Saudi Arabia on penalties in Bahrain, begin the defence of their continental crown against regional rivals DPR Korea on Friday at the Pakansari Stadium in Bogor.
With Thailand and Iraq also competing for honours in Group B, and four places at next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup on offer to the competition’s semi-finalists, Kageyama was understandably quick to strike a cautious note ahead of his side’s opener.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Jakarta: Australia will need to perform at their best against both first-up opponents Korea Republic and fellow Group C rivals Vietnam and Jordan if they are to reach the AFC U-19 Championship knockout stage, according to head coach Ante Milicic.
The Continental championship has ended in group stage disappointment for the Young Socceroos in the previous two editions, and Milicic, 44, said his young charges will need to begin positively if they are to succeed in Indonesia.
"We're fully aware that every game will be difficult, and we really have to focus on ourselves and be at our best to get out of this group," the former striker said ahead of the fixture at Bekasi's Patriot Chandrabhaga Stadium.
"All three are strong nations. I have a history with Korea Republic and Vietnam as head coach of the Under-23s in China PR in January and they were very strong teams.
"Jordan I also know well from my time with the Socceroos when we lost there in Amman, 0-2, so all three teams are extremely strong opponents."
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Jakarta: The countdown to the 40th edition of the AFC U-19 Championship continues, as the-AFC.com runs the rule over an intriguing Group C at Indonesia 2018.
Korea Republic, champions a whopping 12 times, will face Vietnam, Australia and Jordan as the teams bid to qualify for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Jakarta: With the AFC U-19 Championship Indonesia 2018 just days away, and four places at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland up for grabs, the-AFC.com previews the contenders from Group B where all four teams are previous winners.
Defending champions Japan will have to face Iraq, Thailand and DPR Korea in what promises to be a highly exciting and competitive Group B.