Sport
China and Japan set for AFC U23 Asian Cup final showdown
China have never lifted the AFC U23 Asian Cup trophy, but left wing-back Hu Hetao says belief and confidence will be key as his side prepare for one of their toughest tests yet.
China will chase history when they face Japan in the final of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 on Saturday, with the match set to be broadcast live and exclusively across Afghanistan by Ariana Television Network (ATN).
China have never lifted the AFC U23 Asian Cup trophy, but left wing-back Hu Hetao says belief and confidence will be key as his side prepare for one of their toughest tests yet.
“The final will not be easy, but we are ready,” Hu said. “We know Japan will be very difficult opponents, but we are driven by the determination to create history. We have to believe in ourselves.”
The 22-year-old defender has featured in all five of China’s matches en route to the final and is among the more experienced players in the squad, despite his young age.
This year’s event marks his second AFC U23 Asian Cup appearance.
China’s journey to the final has been built on discipline, preparation and growing confidence, but history is not on their side. Hu was part of the China squads that lost to Japan at both the AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023 and in a previous U23 campaign.
“Japan are one of the top teams in Asia and I’ve played them a few times,” Hu said. “What matters is that we play to our strengths, not focus on theirs, and go for the win. We’ve come a long way and we need to play without fear.”
Japan, meanwhile, arrive in the final chasing another milestone under head coach Go Oiwa, who could become the first coach to win the AFC U23 Asian Cup title twice.
Oiwa is in charge of Japan for a third consecutive edition and previously guided the Young Samurai Blue to the title two years ago, defeating Uzbekistan in the final. After an early exit in the 2022 tournament, Japan rebounded strongly under his leadership.
The 53-year-old has enjoyed a decorated coaching career, most notably leading Kashima Antlers to AFC Champions League glory in 2018, and is a two-time AFC Coach of the Year. His experience in managing young talent has been evident throughout the tournament, with Japan once again demonstrating tactical discipline and depth.
Saturday’s final promises a compelling clash between a Japan side aiming to cement its dominance at youth level and a China team seeking a historic first title.
The AFC U23 Asian Cup final between China PR and Japan will take place on Saturday, January 24, with ATN broadcasting the match live and exclusively across Afghanistan, bringing the continental showpiece directly to Afghan football fans.
The match gets underway at 7:30 pm but a prematch show will start at 6:30 pm Kabul time on Ariana Television.
Sport
Abu Muslim Farah beat Sarsabz Yashlar 3–0 in sixth season of ACL opener
Fans across Afghanistan can watch today’s second and third matches live and exclusively on Ariana Television.
Defending champions Abu Muslim Farah made a winning start to the sixth season of the Afghanistan Champions League, defeating Sarsabz Yashlar of Faryab 3–0 in the opening match.
The match, played Thursday evening at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium, saw Abu Muslim Farah dominate proceedings and secure all three points with a convincing performance.
Omid Popalzai opened the scoring in the first half, before Mahboob Hanafi and Omid Rajabi added two more goals after the break to seal a comfortable victory for the defending champions.
The sixth season of the Afghanistan Champions League features 10 teams, with the competition being played on a home-and-away format in Kabul.
Today, Friday, Omar Zawak Loy Shindand will face Khurasan Faryab at 3:30 p.m., while Istiqlal Kabul will take on Toofan Herat in the third match of the day.
Ariana Khost and Umar Zawak Loy Shindand are among the new teams competing in this season’s tournament.
Fans across Afghanistan can watch today’s second and third matches live and exclusively on Ariana Television.
The sixth season of the Afghanistan Champions League will run until November 21, with the participating teams battling for the championship title.
Sport
Afghanistan Champions League Season 6 kicks off today: Abu Muslim Farah face Sarsabz Yashlar
The match is scheduled for 7:30pm Kabul time and will mark the start of a season running until November 21.
The sixth season of the Afghanistan Champions League kicks off Thursday, September 10, with defending champions Abu Muslim Farah facing Sarsabz Yashlar of Faryab in the opening match.
The match is scheduled for 7:30pm Kabul time and will mark the start of a season running until November 21.
Ten clubs will compete in the league, with matches played in a home-and-away format in Kabul.
Abu Muslim Farah will begin their title defence against Sarsabz Yashlar, while Ariana Khost and Omar Zawak Loy Shindand are among the new additions to this season’s competition.
The other participating teams are Aino Mina, Arman FC, Istiqlal Kabul, Khurasan Faryab, Sorkh Poshan Khafi and Toofan Herat.
Fans across Afghanistan can watch the opening match live and exclusively on Ariana Television from 7:30pm Kabul time.
The Afghanistan Champions League will continue through November 21, with clubs competing for the Season 6 title.
Sport
Afghanistan to host Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in the UAE in three-format home season
All the matches will be played in the UAE, though the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has not yet announced the venues.
Afghanistan are set to host Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in October-November in a packed home season that will include matches in all three formats.
All the matches will be played in the UAE, though the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has not yet announced the venues.
The season will kick off on October 9 – six days after the final of the Asian Games T20 tournament in Japan, should Afghanistan make it that far – with a one-off Test match against Bangladesh.
An ODI tri-series will follow from October 17 to 23, with Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe facing each other once before the top two teams meet in the final.
Afghanistan will then take on Zimbabwe in a three-match T20I series from October 27 to November 1. The two teams will then face off in two Test matches, the first from November 5 to 9 and the second from November 13 to 17.
Afghanistan have already played a Test match this year, against India in New Chandigarh in June. The three matches against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will take Afghanistan’s total for the year to four Tests – the most they will have played in a calendar year so far.
Afghanistan have played two Tests against Bangladesh so far, winning one and losing the other. They have played five against Zimbabwe, winning two, losing two, and drawing one.
“We are pleased to confirm this important period of international cricket for the Afghanistan National Team,” ACB CEO Naseeb Khan said. “Playing Bangladesh and Zimbabwe across different formats will provide our players with valuable competitive opportunities and offer our supporters an exciting period of international cricket.
“The Afghanistan Cricket Board remains committed to providing our national team with regular, high-quality international cricket. We highly value our relationships with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and Zimbabwe Cricket and appreciate their cooperation in making these important assignments possible.”
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in the UAE, 2026-27
One-off Test vs Bangladesh October 9-13
ODI tri-series
Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe October 17
Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe October 19
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh October 21
Final October 23
Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe T20I series
1st T20I October 27
2nd T20I October 29
3rd T20I November 1
Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Test series
1st Test Nov 5 – 9
2nd Test Nov 13 – 17
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