Maya Hijikata: From kindergarten kickabouts to prolific scorer

Tue, 12 Mar, 2024

Maya Hijikata: From kindergarten kickabouts to prolific scorer

Tashkent: Meet Maya Hijikata - a player who has all the qualities to be among Japan’s next generation of stars.

Already impressing in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024, the gifted forward’s passion for football is immense, as is her determination to bang in goals.

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Chinnama determined to take Australia to the next level

Tue, 12 Mar, 2024

Chinnama determined to take Australia to the next level

Tashkent: Naomi Chinnama's match-winning performance against Korea Republic on Matchday One has sparked her determination to propel Australia all the way in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024.

The Melbourne City defender has solidified her position at the core of the Australian defence and is keen to excel again in the semi-final against Japan on Wednesday.

Korea Republic’s Kim enjoying new role

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

Korea Republic’s Kim enjoying new role

Tashkent: Kim Shin-ji has been playing in an unfamiliar position in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 but the midfielder has risen to the occasion by emerging as a key player in Korea Republic’s surge into the semi-finals. 

Normally an attacking midfielder with her club side Uiduk University, Kim has been thrust into a more defensive role by head coach Park Youn-jeong at Uzbekistan 2024 with the 20-year-old relishing the challenge.   

DPR Korea's 2006 world champs an inspiration for Ham

Tue, 12 Mar, 2024

DPR Korea's 2006 world champs an inspiration for Ham

Tashkent: When DPR Korea went all the way to win the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2006 trophy, it sparked a growth of interest in the women’s game in the East Asian country.

Several generations of players were born with Ham Ju hyang - who is proudly representing her nation in the ongoing AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 - among those who grew up wanting to emulate the players of 2006.

DPR Korea stunned the world with their feat in Russia 18 years ago, winning every single one of their seven matches enroute to the title, and it has become the guiding point for Ham. 

#U20WAC - Vote for your goal of the Group Stage

Mon, 11 Mar, 2024

#U20WAC - Vote for your goal of the Group Stage

Tashkent: The AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 group stage came to a close on Sunday as the cast for the knockout stage was finalised.

The semi-final matches are bound to produce more spectacular action and incredible goals but first, the-AFC.com invites you - the fans - to pick your favourite goal from the group stage.

#U20WAC - Group Stage in Numbers

Tue, 12 Mar, 2024

#U20WAC - Group Stage in Numbers

Tashkent: The group stage of the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 concluded on Sunday with Australia, DPR Korea, Japan and Korea Republic advancing to the semi-finals.

Ahead of Wednesday's last four ties, which will see DPR Korea meeting Korea Republic and Australia playing Japan, the-AFC.com takes a look at the group stage's facts and figures.

Crespo: Al Ain earned semi-final spot

Tue, 12 Mar, 2024

Crespo: Al Ain earned semi-final spot

Riyadh: Hernan Crespo said his Al Ain side fully deserved to advance to the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 semi-finals after their thrilling win over Al Nassr on Monday.

The UAE side led 3-0 on aggregate at one point of the pulsating quarter-final, only for Al Nassr to draw level and force the game to an additional 30 minutes.
 
Sultan Al Shamsi gave Al Ain the lead again in the 103rd minute, but Cristiano Ronaldo's strike from the penalty spot forced the tie to a shootout, with Al Ain ultimately prevailing 3-1.

We tried our best, says Al Nassr's Castro

Tue, 12 Mar, 2024

We tried our best, says Al Nassr's Castro

Riyadh: Luis Castro said he could not fault his players despite Al Nassr exiting the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 following their defeat to Al Ain in the quarter-finals on Monday.

Al Nassr fought their way back into the tie despite trailing 3-0 on aggregate, with the match finally needing a penalty shootout after the quarter-final ended 4-4 over 180 minutes.
 
UAE's Al Ain, however, proved deadlier from the spot as they advanced with a 3-1 win. 

Europe Wrap: Shomurodov nets brace in Cagliari win; Maeda hits hat-trick for Celtic

Tue, 12 Mar, 2024

Europe Wrap: Shomurodov nets brace in Cagliari win; Maeda hits hat-trick for Celtic

Kuala Lumpur: Eldor Shomurodov came off the bench at the interval to bag his first goals for Cagliari as the on-loan striker scored twice to help his side defeat Salernitana 4-2 and collect an important victory in their Serie A relegation fight on Saturday.

Daizen Maeda struck a hat-trick for holders Celtic as they defeated Livingston 4-2 on Sunday to advance to the Scottish Cup semi-finals while Son Heung-min scored a goal and assisted two others in England as Tottenham Hotspur kept their UEFA Champions League qualification hopes alive with a 4-0 win over Aston Villa.
 
Socceroos full-back Jordan Bos scored a stunner in Belgium, Iranian winger Mohammad Mohebi bagged a brace for FC Rostov in Russia and Japanese striker Koki Ogawa scored his eighth of the season for NEC Nijmegen in the Netherlands, so join the-AFC.com as we find out how the Asian stars performed in Europe over the past week.