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. 

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3167845

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_womens_asian_cup.html/video/u20wac-semi-finals-preview

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3167848

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. 

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.

Mancini hails resilient Al Sadd; Al Hilal's Inzaghi rues elimination

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

Mancini hails resilient Al Sadd; Al Hilal's Inzaghi rues elimination

Jeddah: Roberto Mancini was effusive in his praise after Al Sadd SC produced a remarkable performance to advance to the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ on Monday.

The Qatari side came from behind thrice to force extra-time following a 3-3 draw and then saw off the challenge of favourites Al Hilal SFC with a 4-2 win in the penalty shootout.

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.