Japan’s Iwasaki, China PR’s Yu ready to excel

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

Japan’s Iwasaki, China PR’s Yu ready to excel

Thammasat: Japan’s Uruha Iwasaki and China PR’s Yue Xingyue are aiming to improve their individual performances when their sides meet in the semi-finals of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ on Wednesday.

Both played pivotal roles as their teams breezed through the group stage with perfect records, and put in equally strong showings in the quarter-finals.

Iwasaki, Japan’s first choice goalkeeper, has been a safe pair of hands, conceding only twice in the group stage encounter against Australia but is not satisfied with her performance. 

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3167854

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3167856

Preview - SF: China PR v Japan

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

Preview - SF: China PR v Japan

Thammasat: China PR have full confidence that they will get the better of Japan when the sides meet in their AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ semi-final on Wednesday.

The 2006 champions made the semi-finals with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Uzbekistan in their last eight tie after a perfect group stage run, and head coach Colin Bell is optimistic they will continue their run by going past six-time winners Japan. 

Preview - SF: DPR Korea v Korea Republic

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

Preview - SF: DPR Korea v Korea Republic

Pathum Thani: Reigning champions DPR Korea will be aiming for a second win in as many matches when they lock horns with Korea Republic in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ semi-finals on Wednesday.

The teams met in the group stage, with DPR Korea cruising to a 5-0 win as they underlined their status as favourites with a perfect run to the last four stage, netting 22 goals and conceding none. 

Oh and Ri relishing face-off

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

Oh and Ri relishing face-off

Pathum Thani: Korea Republic’s Oh Dan-bi and DPR Korea’s Ri Su Jong will take centre stage when their sides meet in the semi-finals of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ on Wednesday.

For defender Oh, the match presents an opportunity to show how much Korea Republic have grown since their 5-0 defeat to the defending champions in the group stage while Ri will be aiming to keep her team’s title defence on track. 

The 19-year-old, who plays for UNSW FC in Australia, featured in the defeat to DPR Korea and later helped her side reach the semi-finals after a hard-fought 2-1 extra-time win against Thailand in the quarter-finals, coming on as a late substitute for Han Min-seo.

Mahrez urges Al Ahli to stand and deliver

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

Mahrez urges Al Ahli to stand and deliver

Jeddah: Riyad Mahrez has challenged his Al Ahli Saudi FC teammates to continue raising their performance after the defending champions booked their ticket to the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ on Monday.

Mahrez's sublime free-kick in extra-time settled the nervy tie against Qatar's Al Duhail SC with Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli to face Johor Darul Ta'zim of Malaysia in the quarter-finals on Friday.

Landmark expansion of AFC Champions League Elite™ from 2026/27 season recommended

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

Landmark expansion of AFC Champions League Elite™ from 2026/27 season recommended

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Competitions Committee has recommended a series of strategic enhancements to the Continent’s premier club competition, the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite), headlined by a move to a 32-team format beginning in the 2026/27 season. 

The reforms underscore the AFC’s commitment to further promote inclusivity and excellence across the Continent whilst introducing a more rigorous qualification pathway to the Knockout Stage.