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
IPL double-header delivers drama: GT seal dominant win, KKR win Super Over
The Indian Premier League (IPL) served up a thrilling Sunday double-header, with Gujarat Titans producing a dominant victory over Chennai Super Kings before Kolkata Knight Riders edged Lucknow Super Giants in a dramatic Super Over finish.
In the opening match of the day, Gujarat Titans produced a clinical all-round performance to defeat Chennai Super Kings by eight wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
After winning the toss, Gujarat captain Shubman Gill elected to field first, and the decision paid immediate dividends as the Titans bowlers kept the hosts under pressure throughout the innings.
Chennai found stability through skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who anchored the innings with an unbeaten 74 off 60 balls. Late hitting from Jamie Overton, who struck 18 from just six deliveries, helped lift CSK to 158/7 from their 20 overs.
The innings also featured a major milestone for Sanju Samson, who became the fastest Indian batter to reach 5,000 IPL runs.
However, Gujarat pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada starred with the ball, claiming 3/25 in a superb spell.
In reply, Gujarat’s openers made an aggressive start, racing to 55 without loss in the Powerplay. Gill scored 33 before being stumped off Noor Ahmad, but Chennai’s brief hope quickly disappeared.
Sai Sudharsan then took complete control with a magnificent 87 off just 46 balls, striking boundaries all around the ground. He shared a decisive 97-run stand with Jos Buttler, who remained unbeaten on 39, as Gujarat reached 162/2 in 16.4 overs.
Player of the Match: Kagiso Rabada for his figures of 3/25.
Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders
The evening contest in Lucknow delivered one of the most dramatic finishes of the season as Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Lucknow Super Giants in a Super Over.
Lucknow captain Rishabh Pant chose to bowl first and saw paceman Mohsin Khan produce a sensational spell.
The left-armer ripped through Kolkata’s top order, dismissing Tim Seifert, Ajinkya Rahane and Rovman Powell before later removing Cameron Green and Anukul Roy.
His superb figures of 5/23 left KKR struggling at 93/7 in the 15th over.
But Rinku Singh then produced a remarkable rescue act. Calm under pressure before exploding at the death, Rinku smashed four sixes in the final over and finished unbeaten on a stunning 83 from 51 balls, lifting Kolkata to 155/7.
Lucknow’s reply was led by Pant’s 42, with Aiden Markram contributing 31 and Ayush Badoni adding 24. Kolkata’s bowlers kept striking at vital moments, with Vaibhav Arora taking 2/24 and Varun Chakaravarthy claiming 2/33.
The drama peaked on the final ball when Lucknow needed seven runs to win. Mohammed Shami launched a sensational six over long-off to tie the scores at 155/8 and force a Super Over.
Kolkata dominated the tie-breaker.
Sunil Narine bowled a superb Super Over, dismissing Nicholas Pooran with the first ball before Markram also fell. Lucknow managed just one run.
Needing only two to win, Rinku Singh smashed the first delivery of the chase to the boundary to seal a memorable victory.
Player of the Match: Rinku Singh for his unbeaten 83 and outstanding fielding display.
Attention now turns to today’s clash as Delhi Capitals take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in another crucial contest in the race for the playoffs.
The match will be broadcast live across Afghanistan on Ariana Television.
Sport
Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan secure top spots at Kabul wrestling festival
An international traditional wrestling festival hosted by Afghanistan has concluded in Kabul after three days of competition involving athletes from seven countries.
The event brought together 160 athletes from Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey, along with Afghan competitors, competing across multiple weight categories.
The tournament featured three disciplines: Kurash, Rustami wrestling, and Kushtingiri, showcasing a mix of regional traditional combat sports.
In the Kurash category, Uzbekistan secured first place, Tajikistan came second, and Afghanistan finished third.
In Rustami wrestling, Afghanistan achieved first place, followed by Uzbekistan in second and Tajikistan in third.
In Kushtingiri, Tajikistan took first place, Uzbekistan placed second, and Afghanistan finished third.
Officials said the results highlight strong regional competition and growing cooperation among participating countries through traditional sports, as Afghanistan continues efforts to promote cultural and athletic exchange in the region.
Sport
Kohli, Padikkal fire Bengaluru into IPL top two with win over Gujarat
A blistering knock from Virat Kohli and a rapid half-century by Devdutt Padikkal powered Royal Challengers Bengaluru into the top two of the Indian Premier League standings after a five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans on Friday.
Chasing a formidable 206, Bengaluru rode on Kohli’s fluent 81 off 44 balls — an innings that began with a reprieve off the very first delivery — and Padikkal’s explosive 55 to reach 206-5 in 18.5 overs. The duo stitched together a decisive 115-run partnership for the second wicket, putting Gujarat’s bowling attack under sustained pressure.
Earlier, Gujarat posted 205-3, anchored by a superb century from Sai Sudharsan, who struck an even 100 off 58 balls — his third IPL hundred. The left-hander also etched his name in the record books, becoming the fastest player to reach 2,000 IPL runs, surpassing the previous mark held by Chris Gayle.
Kohli capitalized on an early dropped chance by Washington Sundar and went on to hit eight fours and four sixes. Padikkal, the more aggressive of the pair, raced to his half-century in just 20 balls, hammering six sixes and two boundaries. Together, they took on Gujarat’s key bowlers, including Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan.
Despite a brief wobble that saw Bengaluru lose four wickets in quick succession — including Padikkal to a Rashid googly and Kohli to a slower ball from Jason Holder — the hosts regained control. Krunal Pandya and Tim David calmly guided the chase home.
Earlier in the innings, Sudharsan dominated proceedings, sharing a 128-run opening stand with captain Shubman Gill, who contributed 32. Sudharsan’s innings featured 11 fours and five sixes before he was dismissed by Josh Hazlewood.
Late fireworks from Holder helped Gujarat cross the 200-run mark after a change in bowling plans saw Pandya deliver the final over.
With the win, Bengaluru climbed to second in the table, marking their fourth home victory, while Gujarat slipped to seventh on net run rate.
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