Latest news with #AFCU17AsianCup
Hans India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Preparing for perfect challenges, Indian men's football team reaches Thailand
Pathum Thani (Thailand): After completing the Kolkata leg of their training camp, the Indian men's national team landed in Thailand just past midnight on Thursday. The Blue Tigers will play a friendly match against the hosts on June 4 ahead of the crucial AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Final Round match against Hong Kong on June 10. This is the third time the Indian senior men's team has visited the Land of Smiles in the past six years. India previously participated in the 2019 and 2023 King's Cup, winning the bronze medal in the former after beating Thailand 1-0, which was the last meeting between these two sides. While the King's Cups were held in Buriram and Chiang Mai respectively, the upcoming friendly will take place at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani, a venue the Blue Tigers have never played in before. However, the Blue Colts have — as recently as 2023 in the AFC U17 Asian Cup. India drew 1-1 with Vietnam and lost 0-1 against Uzbekistan at the Thammasat Stadium. Midfielder Brandon Fernandes, who made his India debut at the 2019 King's Cup in Buriram against Curacao, is up for the challenge in Pathum Thani. He also spent the last pre-season with his club Mumbai City FC in Thailand, so it's safe to say, he is quite familiar with the country, its weather and playing conditions. "It's always different when you play away from home. We are familiar with Thailand because we played the King's Cup here. This one's going to be a different game — an international friendly. There will be more fans supporting the home team, and it's a challenge for us. We have to be ready for it and go there with a mindset to win the game," the 30-year-old told AIFF's official website. Team India's hotel is situated in the heart of Pathum Thani, approximately 50 kilometres north of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. Pathum Thani, one of Thailand's 76 provinces and part of the Bangkok metropolitan area, is located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. The Thammasat Stadium, part of the Thammasat University campus, was built for the 1998 Asian Games. The Indian women's team also played two matches in the group stage of that Asiad. Right now, the Blue Tigers' primary aim is to qualify for the Asian Cup in 2027, and Fernandes feels that the preparations for the Hong Kong game are on the right track. "Everybody is looking fit after the camp in Kolkata. We also had a couple of practice games. We are in much better shape as we head into the Thailand leg of the camp. We'll have a few more training sessions here, and we'll be ready for the game. "Thailand will be a perfect challenge for us in order to prepare for the Hong Kong game. We have to put our best foot forward and look for a positive result. Everybody has put in the work, those hard yards, and yes — with the way we train and are putting in the shifts, I think we will get a good result," Fernandes said.
Arab News
20-04-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Saudi footballers face Uzbekistan in AFC U17 Asian Cup final
TAIF: The Saudi U17 national football team is aiming to claim its third AFC U17 Asian Cup title when it faces Uzbekistan on Sunday at 6 p.m. at King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Taif. The Green Falcons hope to end a 37-year title drought since their previous title successes, in 1985 and 1988, while Uzbekistan is seeking its second championship after lifting the continental trophy for the first time in 2012. In the group stage, Saudi Arabia finished second in Group A with six points from three matches — three points behind group leaders Uzbekistan. China was third with three points, while Thailand ended the group with no points. Saudi Arabia began the tournament with a 2-0 win over China in the first round, followed by a 3-1 victory over Thailand. They then lost 0-3 to Uzbekistan in the third round. In the quarterfinals they beat Japan 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw, and in the semifinals they overcame South Korea 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Uzbekistan topped Group A with a perfect nine points from three matches. They opened the tournament with a 4-1 win over Thailand, followed by a 2-1 victory over China and a 3-0 win against Saudi Arabia. In the quarterfinals they defeated the UAE 3-1 and then beat North Korea 3-0 in the semifinals. Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan have secured qualification to the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar, representing Asia along with Japan, the UAE, Indonesia, South Korea, North Korea and Tajikistan.
Al Arabiya
14-04-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Saudi Arabia into AFC U17 Asian Cup semis after reaching FIFA U17 World Cup
A statement penalty shootout victory over reigning champion Japan on Sunday saw Saudi Arabia's Under-17 side reach the semi-finals of the AFC U17 Asian Cup for the first time since the Kingdom last hosted the tournament in 1992. For more Saudi sports news, visit our dedicated page. The young Green Falcons recovered from conceding an early goal to draw 2-2 after 90 minutes. Al Qadsiah defender Abu Bakr Saed scored from the penalty spot and there was a second goal of the tournament for Al Fayha winger Sabri Dahal too. With the match level after 90 minutes, it was left to a shootout to decide the outcome. Although Al Hilal's Thari Saeed missed from 12 yards, Al Nassr goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi saved one Japanese effort, while two more attempts hit the woodwork. With three successfully converted spot-kicks, it was the Green Falcons that progressed – eliminating the reigning champion. Saudi Arabia now faces either the winner of Monday's game between Tajikistan and South Korea in the semi-final – played again in Taif – on Thursday. Going into the game, the Green Falcons had already claimed what was arguably a more important prize – qualification for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar later this year. It has been 36 long years since Saudi Arabia last competed in the global competition but the latest crop of young Green Falcons – led by Brazilian coach Mario Jorge – will have the opportunity to stand toe-to-toe with the world's best in November. Reaching the FIFA U17 World Cup for the first time since 1989 is an achievement that should be celebrated, particularly against the backdrop of the Kingdom's successful bid to host the 2034 men's FIFA World Cup. There is a hope among the Saudi Football Federation (SAFF) and fans alike that many of the players currently representing the Saudi U17s team will grow into senior internationals and feature for the Green Falcons at the World Cup on home soil in nine years' time. The players will then be aged 24 and 25. That end goal of the 2034 World Cup means that Saudi Arabia's youth teams are playing with extra pressure every time they take to the field but in the space of two months, two different groups have handled that expectation with aplomb – progressing through to the latter stages of their respective continental tournaments. Last month the Under-19 team finished as runner-up in the AFC U19 Asian Cup in China and reached the FIFA U19 World Cup; now the Under-17s team has made it to the AFC U17 Asian Cup last four and also qualified for its age group World Cup. There is hope now that the U17s could emulate the achievement of the U19s and make it all the way to the final of the U17 Asian Cup, which is being played in Taif and Jeddah. The Green Falcons started their campaign with group stage victories over China (2-1) and Thailand (3-1), with goals across those games came from five different players representing five different Saudi Pro League club's academies. Al Ittihad U19 forward Abdulhadi Matari netted the first goal of the tournament for Saudi Arabia, with further strikes coming from Osama al-Daghmah of Al Ahli, Sabri Dahal of Al Fayha, Al Hilal forward Mukhtar Barnawi and Al Nassr's Abdulrahman Sufyani. The latter's progress is particularly gratifying, with Sufyani, who also provided a brilliant assist for team-mate Dahal in Sunday's quarter-final against Japan, having come through the Mahd Sports Academy. Set up in 2020 to identify and develop young Saudi talent to compete at the elite level, the Mahd Sports Academy board includes José Mourinho, Ioan Lupescu, and Princess Reema bint Bandar, with Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Bin Faisal as the chairman. After two games, Saudi Arabia was level on points with Uzbekistan, meaning the final match against the Central Asian nation would determine which nation would go through as Group A winner. A 3-0 loss provided a harsh reality check for the young Green Falcons, whose second-place group stage finish meant a more difficult quarter-final draw. Japan, the record four-time AFC U17 Asian Cup winner and current reigning champion, was the toughest possible opponent. But a superb performance at the Okadh Sport Club Stadium in Taif saw Saudi Arabia defy its underdog status to progress. Having either failed to qualify or failed to make it through the group stage of five AFC U17 Asian Cups between 2010 and 2018, the Green Falcons have now reached back-to-back quarter-finals and in the current tournament have gone further than any Saudi team since 1992. Most pleasingly, Jorge can now take his side to neighboring Qatar for the FIFA U17 World Cup in November. Saudi Arabia's last participation was way back in 1989, when a talented group of players went into the tournament in Scotland – then known as the FIFA U16 World Championship – in confident mood, having won the 1988 AFC U17 Asian Cup. That Green Falcons side included future national team captain Fuad Anwar, who became the first Saudi to score at a FIFA World Cup in 1994. Alongside Anwar was goalkeeper Mohamed al-Deayea, who went on to become Saudi Arabia's record appearance maker with 178 international caps. Despite a stacked field, Saudi Arabia was the 1989 tournament's surprise champion as it beat host Scotland in the final. Among the many highlights along the way was a 2-2 draw with a Portugal team led by future Ballon d'Or winner and Real Madrid legend Luis Figo. Like the 1989 winners, Jorge's 2025 Saudi vintage is also set to be a major underdog when it competes at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar. It will be one of eight Asian participants, alongside Japan, Uzbekistan, UAE, Indonesia, North Korea, Tajikistan and South Korea. Although a repeat of the success of 36 years ago appears unlikely, the tournament will still represent another vital step in the development of this group – with the Kingdom's talented young players earning the opportunity to test themselves against the world's best. For now, there is an opportunity for Saudi Arabia to prove it is the continent's best – something the Kingdom last achieved with that golden generation in 1988. Going into Thursday's semi-final, the young Green Falcons stand on the cusp of history again.
Observer
12-04-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Oman U-17 hopes disappear to qualify for WC
MUSCAT, APRIL 12 Oman U-17 team hopes to attend at Fifa U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 were dashed after their 2-2 draw against North Korea in the concluding match of group D at AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025. The draw result meant progressing of North Korea as group runners-up as they reached to five points while Oman team placed in third position with four points only from one victory against Iran 2-1 and a 2-2 draw with North Korea beside the loss against Tajikistan 2-1 in the opener. The group leaders Tajikistan stun Iran 3-1 in the concluding match of the group stage to confirm their top spot while Iran warped up their campaign at the last position with one point only. Oman head coach Anwar al Habsi said post the match that the team's midfield was one of our negatives. ' The deficiency of middle line of the team proved one of the defining factors. The players lost the ball in midfield were one of our key negatives,' he added 'In overall, attending in the Asian Cup finals was a good experience for the team and the boys. The players must trust themselves more and work harder in the upcoming matches. I am confident they have more to provide in the forthcoming events' he ended. On the other hand, the head coach of North Korea Thae Song expressed his happiness with the match result. ' I am very pleased with the boys performance and more happy about this result. The team worked very hard and since very long to achieve this moment. The players are happy to have qualified for the World Cup,' Coach Thae Song added 'Despite putting more emphasis in the defending line, we have received two goals. I believe we need to work harder in the coming days to strengthen the defending line in the upcoming match. For the main assignment at Fifa World Cup, we will need to analyse our strong and weak points ahead of the globe competition begin,' he concluded North Korea will meet Indonesia on Monday at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah while group D toppers Tajikistan will take on South Korea in the same day. Back to Oman and North Korea match, Kim Yu Jin took the lead for his team in the 10th minute while Osama al Maarami scored the equaliser for Oman in the 64th minute. Ri Kang Rim managed to bring his team ahead once again in the 74th minute while Al Walid al Abdulsalam equalised for Oman to make it 2-2 in the dying minutes.
Observer
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Oman face Tajikistan in key opener of AFC U17 Asian Cup
MUSCAT: Oman under-17 football team will face Tajikistan in their opening clash of Group D at AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025 at King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium (Jeddah) on Saturday. The match will kick off at 19:00 (Oman Time). Iran will take on North Korea later on Saturday at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium (Jeddah). The junior Red Warriors will look to begin their campaign strongly as an opening triumph will motivate the players for their upcoming tie against Iran on Tuesday. Coach Anwar al Habsi's boys are all set for the crucial match as the team arrived in Saudi Arabia recently and performed series of training sessions besides several preparatory domestic and international camps in the last few months. Oman head coach Anwar Al Habsi affirmed in his media statements ahead of the opening match against Tajikistan that Oman players can deliver their best against one of Asia's best teams in the opening match for the both teams. The Oman junior stars, who made the finals as one of the five best runners-up teams, will aim to rekindle their memories since 25 years from their last title. Oman face Tajikistan in key opener of AFC U17 Asian Cup 'Attending the finals with the top Asian teams is acting as a great opportunity for our boys to refine and develop their technical skills by competing against different footballing schools that represent Asia's elite national teams,' Anwar said. The national team players have prepared for the event after with some tough friendly matches. Oman had played four matches against Russia and Vietnam in the last month. Both warm-up games against Vietnam ended at 1-0 for Vietnam. Earlier, Oman suffered two defeats against Russia in friendly matches as part of the team's domestic camp in Al Musannah in March. Russia won 4-1 in the first match at Al Rustaq Sports Complex and repeated the win in second fixture by 5-1. Oman face Tajikistan in key opener of AFC U17 Asian Cup 'This U17 team represents the future of Omani football in the coming years. The opponent Tajikistan are one of the favourites and both teams have full knowledge of each other. They are well-organised and physically strong and we have prepared to face them by playing against teams with a similar Tajik-style approach,' Al Habsi added. Both teams met during the qualifiers as Oman lost 2-0 to Tajikistan. 'Our boys are in best readiness level and our preparations included an internal training camp, where we played four friendly matches. We also have a complete squad with no injuries," Anwar concluded.
