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West Asia Wrap: Al Sadd seal 17th title; Al Hilal almost there

Mon, 29 Apr, 2024

West Asia Wrap: Al Sadd seal 17th title; Al Hilal almost there

Doha: Al Sadd SC ended their 2023/24 Qatar Stars League season with a defeat but that didn't derail the party atmosphere with the title already in their trophy cabinet.

Al Hilal SFC, meanwhile, shrugged off the disappointment of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 exit to beat Al Fateh to move within a point of a 19th title.
 
There were also matches played in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon and Oman so join the-AFC.com as we review the latest round of domestic action across West Asia. 

Oiwa relieved tinkering didn't cost Japan

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

Oiwa relieved tinkering didn't cost Japan

Doha: Japan head coach Go Oiwa admitted half time changes made to counteract the impact of a pair of first half bookings could have put his team in danger of defeat before the former champions beat Qatar 4-2 in extra-time to advance to the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ semi-finals.

Yellow cards for Seiji Kimura and Kuryu Matsuki in the opening 45 minutes prompted Oiwa into a half-time change, withdrawing Matsuki for Shuto Fujio and the former Kashima Antlers boss felt his decision to rejig the line-up could have unsettled his players.
 
While Japan had taken a second minute lead through Fuki Yamada, Ahmed Al Rawi had levelled the scores before Yousef Abdullah’s 41st minute sending off gave Oiwa’s side a numerical advantage going into the break.

Fighting Qatar make Vale proud

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

Fighting Qatar make Vale proud

Doha: Ilidio Vale hailed his Qatar players’ tenacity and spirit after the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ hosts exited the tournament on Thursday with a 4-2 extra-time defeat against former champions Japan at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.

Qatar gave the 2016 winners a scare despite playing much of the game with 10 men following goalkeeper Yousef Abdullah’s 41st minute sending off, only succumbing to extra-time goals from Mao Hosoya and Kotaro Uchida.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_|_qf1__qatar_2_-_4_japan.html

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