Kano’s tactical adjustments pay off for Japan

Thu, 14 Mar, 2024

Kano’s tactical adjustments pay off for Japan

Tashkent: Head coach  Michihisa Kano was in high spirits after Japan’s emphatic 5-1 win over Australia in their AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 semi-final at the JAR Stadium on Wednesday.

The win sets up the six-time AFC U19 Women’s Championship winners with a showdown against DPR Korea, who defeated Korea Republic 3-0, in the final on Saturday.
 
Having seen Australia force themselves back into the tie, Michihisa made tactical changes at the break which resulted in a flurry of goals in the second half as Japan advanced in emphatic fashion. 

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Ri: Physical strength was DPR Korea's advantage

Thu, 14 Mar, 2024

Ri: Physical strength was DPR Korea's advantage

Tashkent: Head coach Ri Song ho was over the moon after DPR Korea reinforced their title ambitions with a 3-0 win over Korea Republic in their AFC Women’s U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 semi-final on Wednesday. 

Choe Il son, Jong Kum and Hwang Yu yong scored in the win at Do’stlik Stadium with Ri praising the physical capabilities of his players which enabled a high-tempo, high-intensity performance throughout the 90 minutes with DPR Korea to face Japan in Saturday's final.

S-final: Japan turn on the power against Australia

Thu, 14 Mar, 2024

S-final: Japan turn on the power against Australia

Tashkent: A second half surge saw Japan ease 5-1 past Australia in their AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 semi-final at the JAR Stadium on Wednesday.

Peta Trimis cancelled out Hiromi Yoneta’s opener before Japan came back fighting through strikes from Uno Shiragaki, Maya Hijikata and Chinari Sasai with Naomi Chinnama scoring an own goal as the East Asian side set up a final showdown with DPR Korea on Saturday.

Australia will meet Korea Republic in the third-place playoff on the same day, with all four teams having qualified for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024.

Semi-finalists confirmed

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

Semi-finalists confirmed

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 is down to four teams following the conclusion of the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Yokohama F. Marinos were the final side to book their last four spot after defeating Shandong Taishan FC 1-0, with the Japanese side advancing 3-1 on aggregate.

F. Marinos seal historic berth

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

F. Marinos seal historic berth

Yokohama: Ten-man Yokohama F Marinos advanced to the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League™ for the first time in the club’s history as Anderson Lopes’ strike earned Harry Kewell’s team a 1-0 win over Shandong Taishan on Wednesday to complete a 3-1 aggregate win.

Lopes struck in the 75th minute with Marinos having played most of the second half shorthanded following Katsuya Nagato’s sending off two minutes after the interval for a second bookable offence.
 
The win means Marinos will play two-time champions Ulsan Hyundai from Korea Republic next month for a place in May’s final against either Al Hilal SFC of Saudi Arabia or United Arab Emirates' Al Ain.

Jesus wants record-breaking Al Hilal to continue pushing

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

Jesus wants record-breaking Al Hilal to continue pushing

Jeddah: Head coach Jorge Jesus wants his team to go all the way after Al Hilal SFC set a new world record of 28 wins following their 2-0 defeat of Al Ittihad in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 quarter-finals on Tuesday.

It was Al Hilal's 28th consecutive victory, surpassing the previous recognised record of 27 straight wins set by The New Saints in the 2016-17 season, as the four-time Asian champions confirmed a semi-final against Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates. 

Hong praises Ulsan’s maturity in win over Jeonbuk

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

Hong praises Ulsan’s maturity in win over Jeonbuk

Ulsan: Head coach Hong Myung-bo expressed gratitude to his Ulsan Hyundai FC players for showing maturity in their 1-0 win over K League 1 rivals Jeonbuk Hyundai in the second leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 quarter-final at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium on Tuesday.

The win booked Ulsan book their place in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League for the third time in four editions, with the two sides having played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

Abdysh-Ata advance in style

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

Abdysh-Ata advance in style

Kaohsiung: FK Abdysh-Ata Kant confirmed their place in the Inter-Zone final of the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 after coming back from behind to beat Taichung Futuro FC 3-1 in the second leg of their Inter-Zone semi-final on Wednesday.

After suffering a 5-0 defeat to Abdysh-Ata in the first leg in Bishkek, Benchy Estama gave hosts Taichung a glimmer of hope when he pulled them into the lead two minutes into the return leg at Nanzih Football Stadium. 
 
But second half goals from Farkhat Musabekov, Magamed Uzdenov and Nurlanbek Sarykbaev sealed an 8-1 aggregate win for the Kyrgyz Republic side and sent them through to the next stage where they will face either Australia’s Central Coast Mariners or Odisha FC of India.