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Dinh Bac does it again for Vietnam

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

Dinh Bac does it again for Vietnam

Jeddah: Nguyen Dinh Bac is fast proving to be the man with the golden touch for Vietnam after notching his second goal at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ to help his team reach the semi-finals on Friday.

For the second match running, Dinh Bac was summoned from the bench to great effect, adding to his personal tally after his virtuoso winner against Saudi Arabia saw Vietnam finish top of Group A.

Replacing Le Viktor with 10 minutes left in the first half, Dinh Bac only needed four to make his mark in the quarter-final against the United Arab Emirates, setting up Vietnam’s opener for Nguyen Le Phat as the Southeast Asian side went on to win 3-2 in extra time.

Araki credits team effort for Japan’s shoot-out triumph

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

Araki credits team effort for Japan’s shoot-out triumph

Jeddah: Rui Araki refused to accept the plaudits despite his penalty shoot-out saves taking Japan into the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ on Friday.

The custodian - who was beaten for the first time in the tournament when Jordan took the lead through Ali Azaizeh - showed great confidence and agility in the shoot-out to stop the West Asian side’s first and fourth spot-kicks as Japan triumphed 4-2. 

Kim: Fitness was Vietnam’s strength

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

Kim: Fitness was Vietnam’s strength

Jeddah:  Kim Sang-sik highlighted fitness as the major reason for Vietnam’s ability to overcome a spirited United Arab Emirates and reach the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ on Friday.

UAE fought back twice to draw level and force the quarter-final into extra time but Kim’s instruction to his players to keep pushing in the additional 30 minutes paid off handsomely with Pham Minh Phuc netting the winner as the Korea Republic tactician emulated compatriot Park Hang-seo in steering Vietnam into the semi-finals. 

Broli calls for continued UAE exposure

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

Broli calls for continued UAE exposure

Jeddah: Marcelo Broli was proud of his United Arab Emirates side's performance despite their 3-2 extra time defeat to Vietnam in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ quarter-finals on Friday.

While disappointed to have exited the competition, Broli applauded the fighting spirit of his players as they twice fought back to draw level before succumbing in extra time.

Relieved Oiwa praises Japan’s resilience

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

Relieved Oiwa praises Japan’s resilience

Jeddah: Go Oiwa lauded his players after his second half tweaks paved the way for Japan to sneak past Jordan into the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ semi-finals on Friday.

Jordan took the lead 30 minutes into the match and in doing so, became the first side to score against the defending champions at Saudi Arabia 2026 but Oiwa’s decision to send on Shusuke Furuya at the start of the second half paid off handsomely, with the midfielder equalising four minutes after coming on.

The two-time champions failed to find a winner at the end of 120 minutes but prevailed 4-2 in the shoot-out to set up a semi-final against either Australia or Korea Republic on Tuesday. 

The future is bright for Jordan, says Najhi

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

The future is bright for Jordan, says Najhi

Jeddah: Jordan head coach Omar Najhi admitted that fine margins proved decisive following his side’s quarter-final exit from the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ on Friday.

Despite that, Najhi praised his players for their fighting spirit and maturity in the hard-fought contest which ended 1-1 after extra-time, with defending champions Japan winning the penalty shoot-out 4-2.

Q-final: Vietnam edge UAE in thriller to advance

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

Q-final: Vietnam edge UAE in thriller to advance

Jeddah: It was a case of third time lucky as Vietnam survived a stiff test to stay in the hunt for the title with a 3-2 extra-time win against United Arab Emirates in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ quarter-final on Friday.

A valiant UAE fought back to level twice but the tie was finally settled by Pham Minh Phuc to set Vietnam up for a semi-final meeting with either Uzbekistan or China PR on Tuesday, the Southeast Asian side's first appearance at the last four stage since their runners-up finish in 2018.

Q-final: Shootout win takes Japan past Jordan

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

Q-final: Shootout win takes Japan past Jordan

Jeddah: Japan defeated Jordan 4-2 on penalties to advance to the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ semi-finals, with the last eight tie having ended 1-1 after extra-time at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium on Friday. 

Goalkeeper Rui Araki was the hero, saving two spot-kicks as the defending champions stayed on track for a third title. It was heartbreak for a Jordan side who went toe-to-toe with the East Asians only to come up just short.

Macallister, Lee aiming to push Australia, Korea Republic all the way

Fri, 16 Jan, 2026

Macallister, Lee aiming to push Australia, Korea Republic all the way

Jeddah: Australia and Korea Republic head into the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ quarter-finals on the back of resilient group stage campaigns, with key players stepping up at decisive moments to drive their teams forward.

Australia will be aiming to go further than their third place finish in the 2020 while Korea Republic, champions of the same edition, are aiming for a second title. 

Bakhromov, Li out to shine for Uzbekistan, China PR

Fri, 16 Jan, 2026

Bakhromov, Li out to shine for Uzbekistan, China PR

Jeddah: Uzbekistan’s Sardorbek Bakhromov and Li Hao of China PR fully expect victory when their sides clash in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ quarter-finals on Saturday.

Confidence is running high in both camps with Uzbekistan targeting a fifth semi-final appearance while China PR are aiming for their first.

Preview - Q-final: Uzbekistan v China PR

Fri, 16 Jan, 2026

Preview - Q-final: Uzbekistan v China PR

Jeddah: Uzbekistan and China PR will both be aiming for the stars when they square off in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ quarter-finals on Saturday.

Uzbekistan head coach Ravshan Khaydarov is targeting the title while his China PR counterpart Antonio Puche expects his team to create more history after advancing to the knockout stage for the first time.

Khaydarov guided Uzbekistan to a first place finish in Group C while China PR finished second in Group D. 

Preview - Q-final: Australia v Korea Republic

Fri, 16 Jan, 2026

Preview - Q-final: Australia v Korea Republic

Jeddah: Confidence will not be an issue for either side when Australia and Korea Republic square off in the quarter-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ on Saturday.

Both endured mixed fortunes in the group stage with Antony Vidmar’s side staging a stunning fightback to defeat Iraq 2-1 in Group D while Korea Republic advanced as the Group  D runners-up after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Uzbekistan.