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Vote for your best goal of #AFCU23

Sun, 05 May, 2024

Vote for your best goal of #AFCU23

Kuala Lumpur:  With the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ having come to a close following Friday’s final, we reflect on some of the best goals from the tournament and ask you, the fans, to select your favourite. 

Long-range screamers, magnificent solo efforts, stunning free-kicks and superb team moves, the sixth edition of one the continent’s premier youth competitions saw goals from all angles and distances to delight lovers of Asian football across the globe. 

Vote for your #AFCU23 NEOM Future Star of the Tournament

Mon, 06 May, 2024

Vote for your #AFCU23 NEOM Future Star of the Tournament

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ bore witness to a showcase of the continent's finest young talents, as they captivated the continent with their skill and tenacity in the battle for the title and places in the Paris Olympics 2024. 

After Japan’s win over Uzbekistan in the final, the-AFC.com now looks back on the competition and asks you, the fans, to determine the standout NEOM Future Star of the Tournament. 
 
We’ve selected six nominees who delivered eye-catching performances throughout the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024, so review the list and don’t forget to vote for your favourite NEOM Future Star at the bottom of the article. 

#AFCU23 - Facts & Figures

Sun, 05 May, 2024

#AFCU23 - Facts & Figures

Doha: The curtains came down on the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ with Japan edging Uzbekistan for the title in a closely contested final on Friday.

It was a fitting finale to a tournament that saw thrills and spills in equal measure so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at some key takeaways from the tournament.

Kokubo just one of Japan's heroes, says Oiwa

Sat, 04 May, 2024

Kokubo just one of Japan's heroes, says Oiwa

Doha: Go Oiwa said he had faith Leo Kokubo would save Umarali Rakhmonaliev’s injury time penalty before the Japan goalkeeper made the vital intervention that ensured his team reclaimed the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ title with a 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan in the Doha 2024 final on Friday.

Kokubo threw himself to his right to keep out Rakhmonaliev’s strike after Hiroki Sekine had been judged to have handled the ball in the penalty area deep into added time with the Japanese leading through Fuki Yamada’s fine finish.

Kapadze vows Uzbekistan will bounce back

Sat, 04 May, 2024

Kapadze vows Uzbekistan will bounce back

Doha: Despite creating more chances and seeing more of the ball, Uzbekistan suffered heartbreak on Friday in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ final as they went down 1-0 to a clinical Japan side.

Fuki Yamada’s sole goal in the first minute of added time, coupled with a Umarali Rakhmonaliev’s missed penalty, ended the 2018 winners’ hopes of adding a second title, which were high given their perfect record of five wins from five games in the tournament without conceding a single goal heading into this match. 
 
It was also a second loss in as many finals for Timur Kapadze, who was also at the helm when they lost to Saudi Arabia at the 2022 edition, and the 42-year-old head coach admitted that the failure hurt.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_|_japan_1_-_0_uzbekistan.html

Fujita named MVP

Sat, 04 May, 2024

Fujita named MVP

Doha: Captain Joel Chima Fujita was named the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ Most Valuable Player following Japan's 1-0 defeat of Uzbekistan in the final on Friday.

Fujita, 22, played a pivotal role as Japan became the first team to lift the coveted title a second time.

Iraq's Jasim takes Yili Top Scorer award

Sat, 04 May, 2024

Iraq's Jasim takes Yili Top Scorer award

Doha: Midfielder Ali Jasim won the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ Yili Top Scorer award on Friday.

Jasim, 20, scored four goals and made two assists as Iraq qualified for the Paris Olympics.

Nematov wins Best Goalkeeper award

Sat, 04 May, 2024

Nematov wins Best Goalkeeper award

Doha: Uzbekistan's Abduvakhid Nematov was named as the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ Best Goalkeeper after a sterling campaign for the Central Asian side.

The 23-year-old custodian kept a clean sheet in four of the five matches he appeared in but suffered heartbreak in the final as Uzbekistan were beaten 1-0 by Japan on Friday. 

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

Japan edge Uzbekistan to lift second title

Sun, 05 May, 2024

Japan edge Uzbekistan to lift second title

Doha: Substitute Fuki Yamada struck in the 91st minute and Leo Kokubo made a late penalty save to earn Japan a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan on Friday that secured Go Oiwa’s side the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ title at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.

Yamada, introduced from the bench with 18 minutes remaining, struck into the bottom corner of Abduvakhid Nematov’s goal before Kokubo kept out Umarali Rakhmonaliev’s spot-kick nine minutes later to earn Japan their second AFC U23 Asian Cup title.
 
The dramatic finish came at the end of a tense encounter and it saw the Japanese win the title for the first time since 2016, when the Samurai Blue also lifted the trophy on Qatari soil.

All my players deserve to go to the Olympics, says Iraq's Shenaishil

Fri, 03 May, 2024

All my players deserve to go to the Olympics, says Iraq's Shenaishil

Doha: Head coach Radhi Shenaishil will be in no hurry to cast aside the players who booked Iraq’s ticket for the Olympic Games should he remain in charge to take the team to Paris, hailing them as heroes after their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ third place playoff win over Indonesia on Thursday.

Goals from Zaid Tahseen and Ali Jasim at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium earned the Iraqis a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over the Southeast Asians, who had taken the lead through Ivar Jenner before Iraq’s extra-time success sealed their passage to Paris.
 
The Iraqis will be able to select three over-age players as well as completely reconfigure their squad for the Olympic Games in July and August, but Shenaishil was in no hurry to discuss discarding those who prevailed in Qatar in a gruelling three-week campaign.