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Japan break brave Qatar's hearts

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

Japan break brave Qatar's hearts

Doha: Extra-time goals from Mao Hosoya and Kotaro Uchino ensured Japan squeezed past 10-man Qatar and into the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ with a 4-2 win over Ilidio Vale’s side at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Thursday.

Hosoya slipped the ball under substitute goalkeeper Ali Korayem to break Qatar’s resistance 11 minutes into extra-time and Uchino added the fourth with seven minutes left as Go Oiwa’s side moved a step closer to claiming the title.
 
Fuki Yamada had given Japan a second minute lead before Ahmed Al Rawi levelled with a superb header 22 minutes later, the Qataris then shrugging off Yousef Abdullah’s 41st minute red card to go in front four minutes into the second half through Jassem Gaber.
 
But Seiji Kimura’s 67th minute header restored parity while Hosoya and Uchino struck late to take their nation into the last four as the Japanese seek to maintain their record of qualifying for every Olympic Games since 1996.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/photo/quarter-final_qatar_v_japan.html

Preview - Q-final: Qatar v Japan

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Preview - Q-final: Qatar v Japan

Doha: Qatar head coach Ilidio Vale has yet to decide whether forward Ahmed Al Rawi will feature in his side’s AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ quarter-final against Japan at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Thursday as the Al Rayyan striker continues to struggle with his fitness.

Al Rawi scored in the hosts’ win over Indonesia in the tournament opener but played no part in the clashes with Jordan or Australia as Qatar won Group A and Vale remained coy about the 22-year-old's availability for the clash with Go Oiwa’s side.

Japan's Fujita believes; Aiash urges Qatar to focus

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Japan's Fujita believes; Aiash urges Qatar to focus

Doha: Japan midfielder Joel Fujita is confident he and his teammates can prevail in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ quarter-final against Qatar despite head coach Go Oiwa’s rotation policy meaning the Samurai Blue have made numerous changes throughout the tournament.

The Belgium-based Fujita captained the team in their opening 1-0 win over China PR but has not started since as Oiwa has given the majority of his squad the opportunity to feature in the group phase, with the Japanese advancing as second place finishers from Group B.
 
But with the competition now in the knockout phase and the prospect of three intense games over the next 10 days for the teams that feature in the final on May 3, Fujita believes the Japanese are ready for the task ahead.

Quarter-final ties set to be sizzlers

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Quarter-final ties set to be sizzlers

Doha: Defending champions Saudi Arabia will face 2018 winners Uzbekistan in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ quarter-finals following the conclusion of the group stage on Tuesday.

The tie at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Friday headlines an impressive last eight cast, with the other three former AFC U23 Asian Cup winners also through.

West Asia Wrap: Al Sadd almost there; Al Nassr keep faint hopes alive

Sun, 21 Apr, 2024

West Asia Wrap: Al Sadd almost there; Al Nassr keep faint hopes alive

Doha: Al Sadd SC need just a point from their remaining two matches to clinch the Qatar Stars League 2023/24 title.

In Saudi Arabia, Al Nassr defeated Al Fayha to keep their slim hopes of lifting the Saudi Pro League 2023/24 title alive while there were also matches played in Bahrain, Iraq, Oman, Syria and the United Arab Emirates.
 
Join the-AFC.com as we review how the action unfolded with several leagues set to reach their climax in the coming weeks.

Vidmar optimistic despite Australia's early exit

Mon, 22 Apr, 2024

Vidmar optimistic despite Australia's early exit

Doha: Tony Vidmar does not believe Australia’s early exit from the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ and failure to qualify for this summer’s Olympic Games will have a negative impact on the country’s long-term prospects at senior level.

The Olyroos were eliminated on Sunday as Vidmar’s side were unable to score for the third game in a row, a 0-0 draw with Qatar at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium confirming Australia’s exit with a third place finish in Group A behind the hosts and Indonesia.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_|_group_a__qatar_0_-_0_australia.html

Group A: Qatar stalemate dashes Australia's hopes

Mon, 22 Apr, 2024

Group A: Qatar stalemate dashes Australia's hopes

Doha: Australia exited the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ on Sunday with Tony Vidmar’s side failing once again to find the back of the net as the Olyroos shared a 0-0 draw with group winners Qatar to limp out of the tournament and miss out on a place at the Olympic Games.

The Australians had arrived in Doha targeting a second consecutive Olympic qualification after appearing in Tokyo three years ago, but one point from their opening Group A games against Jordan and Indonesia left their hopes hanging by the finest of threads.
 
Needing to win and hope Jordan defeated Indonesia, the result at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium was academic with Indonesia’s 4-1 win ensuring Vidmar’s team could not progress even if a first victory of the competition had been secured.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/photo/group_a_qatar_v_australia.html

Preview - Group A: Qatar v Australia

Sun, 21 Apr, 2024

Preview - Group A: Qatar v Australia

Doha: Tony Vidmar is confident his Australia squad can still perform to their potential as the Olyroos go into their Group A meeting at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ with hosts Qatar knowing even victory might not be enough to keep their title hopes alive.

A 1-0 loss to Indonesia on Thursday left the Australians with one point from two games and, with his team yet to score, Vidmar’s side are bottom of the standings going into the final round of group matches.

That means Australia need to pick up all three points against Qatar while hoping Shin Tae-yong’s Indonesia side lose to third-placed Jordan in their meeting on Sunday to have a realistic chance of advancing to the quarter-finals.

Vale praises Qatar’s belief, Abu Zema laments Jordan’s luck

Fri, 19 Apr, 2024

Vale praises Qatar’s belief, Abu Zema laments Jordan’s luck

Doha: Qatar head coach Ilídio Vale hailed a “deserved” result for his team on Thursday after their 2-1 victory against Jordan saw them become the first team to qualify for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ knockout stage.

Mohamed Manai came off the bench to thunder in a header from a free-kick delivery by fellow substitute Jassem Alsharshani in the 13th minute of added time, which sealed a second win in as many Group A matches for the hosts and their third quarter-final appearance.