Lopetegui appointed head coach of Qatar

Fri, 02 May, 2025

Lopetegui appointed head coach of Qatar

Jeddah: Former Spain and Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui was appointed the new head coach of Qatar on Thursday.

Lopetegui, who hails from Spain, replaces compatriot Luis Garcia.

Youngster Ozeki lives up to expectations

Thu, 01 May, 2025

Youngster Ozeki lives up to expectations

Jeddah: Yuto Ozeki had a night to remember at the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 after he helped Kawasaki Frontale defeat Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr Club 3-2 to take their place in Saturday’s final against Al Ahli Saudi FC.

Ozeki was one of Japan’s stars at the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 and has now taken his game to the next level with his performances in Asia’s elite club competition.

The 20-year-old and fellow midfielders Yuki Yamamoto and Kento Tachibanada were tasked with keeping Marcelo Brozovic in check and they limited the Croatian to just 64 successful passes in the game, the fourth lowest the Al Nassr man has managed this campaign.

Hasebe hails Frontale’s fortitude

Thu, 01 May, 2025

Hasebe hails Frontale’s fortitude

Jeddah: Shigetoshi Hasebe praised Kawasaki Frontale’s fortitude after the Japanese side clinched a 3-2 victory against Al Nassr Club to reach the final of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Wednesday.

Goals from Tatsuya Ito, Yuto Ozeki and Akihiro Ienaga sealed the win for the Japanese side, who held off a late Al Nassr fightback to make the final at the sixth time of trying, having not advanced past the quarter-finals previously. 

Frontale’s Ito eyeing perfect homecoming

Thu, 01 May, 2025

Frontale’s Ito eyeing perfect homecoming

Jeddah: Scoring a breathtaking volley and playing a key role in the second goal earned Tatsuya Ito the player of the match award in Kawasaki Frontale’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Al Nassr Club in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Wednesday.

The win took Frontale into their first final and for Ito, who returned to the J.League this season for the first time in his senior career, the match carried extra meaning.

Mistakes cost us, says Al Nassr’s Pioli

Thu, 01 May, 2025

Mistakes cost us, says Al Nassr’s Pioli

Jeddah: Stefano Pioli admitted his side paid a heavy price for their mistakes after Al Nassr Club crashed out of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Wednesday.

Al Nassr went into their semi-final as the favourites but instead suffered a 3-2 defeat to Kawasaki Frontale, with the Japanese side advancing to the final for the first time in six attempts. 

Defeat for Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr meant elimination at the last four stage for the third time since 2020.

#ACLElite - Semi-finals: Facts & Figures

Thu, 01 May, 2025

#ACLElite - Semi-finals: Facts & Figures

Jeddah: The semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 more than lived up to expectations with both last four ties proving to be spectacular affairs.

As Al Ahli Saudi FC and Kawasaki Frontale prepare for Saturday's title decider at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, the-AFC.com takes a look at some facts and figures that caught the eye.

Group A: Guatemala 2-6 Japan

Thu, 01 May, 2025

Group A: Guatemala 2-6 Japan

Victoria: Wonder goals helped Japan overcome Guatemala 6-2 in an exhilarating start to their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025 Group A opener at the Paradise Arena on Thursday.

Los Chapines led twice on their competition debut but a Ryota Tsuboya double powered the Samurai Blue to victory.

Group B: Mauritania 4-5 IR Iran

Thu, 01 May, 2025

Group B: Mauritania 4-5 IR Iran

Victoria: Islamic Republic of Iran staved off a late fightback from debutants Mauritania to start their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025 Group B campaign with a 5-4 win on Thursday.

Iran survived a spirited fight from Mauritania after Ali Naderi’s side had gone four goals up in the first period with Cheikh Belkheir’s hat-trick nearly forcing the match into extra-time.

Contenders poised to shine at #WACFutsal2025

Tue, 20 May, 2025

Contenders poised to shine at #WACFutsal2025

Hohhot: The quest for glory in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 kicks off on Tuesday, May 6 as the highly anticipated competition returns for a third edition.

Seven years after the previous tournament in 2018, 12 contenders will assemble in Hohhot to vie for the crown. The eventual top three teams will claim the three available berths at the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, to be hosted by the Philippines – who have automatically qualified – in November.