Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Changzhou: Head coach Felix Sanchez believes Qatar can strike a significant psychological blow by finishing top of an intriguing Group A at the AFC U23 Championship 2018.
Qatar, who were fourth at the tournament’s 2016 edition, have put themselves on the verge of securing a spot in the quarter-finals thanks to solid 1-0 wins over Uzbekistan and then China, results that see them currently occupying first place ahead of the group’s final round of matches.
With Monday’s crunch clash against host nation China looming large on the horizon, Sanchez feels his side could gain a significant boost if things go their way at the Changzhou Olympic Sports Center.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/qatar_manager_felix_sanchez.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/china_u23_players_1.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/uzbekistan_coach_ravshan_khaydarov.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/omanu23-squad.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Changzhou: China duo Zhang Yuning and Tang Shi are determined to put their side’s disappointing loss to Uzbekistan well and truly behind them as they look to seal a place in the AFC U23 Championship quarter-finals.
With Qatar leading the way in Group A, Friday’s narrow 1-0 defeat to an impressive Uzbekistan side left the host nation occupying third spot in Group A, a position which does not afford them a place in the next phase of the tournament.
However, with a vital game against the Qataris to come on Monday at the Changzhou Olympic Sports Centre, both Zhang and Tang are fully focussed on the task that lies ahead.
“We have to make sure we play a better game against Qatar,” declared talented Werder Bremen striker Zhang.
“We must ensure that we qualify for the next round by getting over the defeat against Uzbekistan and focussing on our match against Qatar.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Changzhou: Uzbekistan defender Khojiakbar Alijonov has hailed his side’s mental resilience following Friday’s crucial 1-0 win over host nation China PR at the AFC U23 Championship 2018.
The 20-year-old struck early in the first half at the Changzhou Olympic Sports Centre to seal all three points for the Central Asians and revitalise their chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals following a 1-0 defeat to Qatar on Matchday One.
With another key fixture to come against Oman on Monday, Alijonov believes Uzbekistan’s success against China was, in part, down to their mental approach to the fixture.
“Before the match, I think we were in a difficult situation in the group,” admitted the Pakhtakor left-back who featured for his country at the 2016 AFC U-19 Championship.
“But, we worked on our mental approach. Some players just weren’t ready (for the first match).
“The coach told us before the game that we must play to the best of our ability against China because they are the most dangerous team in our group.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Changzhou: Bassam Al Rawi has said that Qatar cannot afford to relax despite Friday’s 1-0 win over Oman putting them in a commanding position at the top of the AFC U23 Championship 2018 Group A standings.
The hard-fought victory, coupled with Qatar’s earlier defeat of Uzbekistan by a similar scoreline, leaves the West Asians flying high at the summit and within touching distance of a place in the quarter-finals.
However, despite his side’s fine run of form, and with a final group stage game still to come against China on Monday, Al Rawi insists that nothing has been achieved just yet.
“We played well versus Oman, we gave our best and we got the three points,” said the talented Al Duhail defender who was a member of the Qatar squad at the 2016 edition of the AFC U23 Championship.
“At this stage (of the tournament), we always play to win and to get those all-important three points.
“We have six points, but that doesn't mean we have qualified. We need to take three points against China.”