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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.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_|_3rd_place_playoff_-_iraq_2_-_1_indonesia.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/photo/3rd_place_playoff_iraq_v_indonesia.html

Decisive Jasim sends Iraq to Paris

Fri, 03 May, 2024

Decisive Jasim sends Iraq to Paris

Doha: Eight years after their last appearance, Iraq are bound for the Olympic Games again after securing their sixth qualification on Thursday night.

Having stumbled at the semi-final stage three days ago, the West Asians grabbed their second chance by overcoming Indonesia 2-1 in extra time of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ third-place playoff to take the final automatic qualifying slot to Paris 2024.
 
Ali Jasim sparked wild celebrations at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium with a clinical finish in the 96th minute to complete Iraq’s comeback and break Indonesia’s hearts in front of a partisan crowd with the West Asians joining Japan and Uzbekistan at the Olympics.

Preview - 3rd Place Playoff: Iraq v Indonesia

Thu, 02 May, 2024

Preview - 3rd Place Playoff: Iraq v Indonesia

Doha: The third and final automatic berth at the Paris Olympics from the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ will be at stake on Thursday when Iraq and Indonesia face off in the third place playoff.

Iraq are seeking a sixth appearance and a first since 2016, while Indonesia’s sole involvement to date came in 1956 before the Olympics’ men’s football tournament became a U23 affair. The losing team will still have one last shot at making it, via a playoff against Guinea on May 9 in Paris.
 
However, that is not on either side’s minds for now as they look to pick themselves up from stumbling at the semi-finals to get ready for their second chance at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.

Mohammed determined to lead Iraq to Olympics

Wed, 01 May, 2024

Mohammed determined to lead Iraq to Olympics

Doha: Iraq captain Muntadher Mohammed returns from suspension to lead his team against Indonesia in the third place playoff at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ determined to make amends for the semi-final loss against Japan and secure a place at the Olympic Games.

Mohammed served a one-match suspension after picking up a second yellow card of the tournament in the 1-0 quarter-final win over Vietnam, but will be available to head coach Radhi Shenaishil for Thursday’s clash against Shin Tae-yong’s side.

Our plan didn't work, admits Iraq's Shenaishil

Tue, 30 Apr, 2024

Our plan didn't work, admits Iraq's Shenaishil

Doha: Iraq head coach Radhi Shenaishil admitted his plan to contain Japan in the opening 45 minutes of their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ semi-final backfired as the West Asian side slipped to a 2-0 loss that leaves their hopes of qualifying for the Olympic Games resting on Thursday’s playoff with Indonesia.

Goals from Mao Hosoya and Ryotaro Araki took the Japanese into their second AFC U23 Asian Cup final and guaranteed Go Oiwa’s team a place at the Olympic Games in Paris while Iraq will next take on Shin Tae-yong’s team in three days’ time.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_|_s-final__japan_2_-_0_iraq.html

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

First half goals power Japan into final

Wed, 01 May, 2024

First half goals power Japan into final

Doha: Japan will meet Uzbekistan in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ final after first half goals from Mao Hosoya and Ryotaro Araki earned Go Oiwa’s side a 2-0 win over Iraq at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Monday that also sealed the nation’s spot at the Olympic Games in Paris.

Hosoya put the 2016 champions in front in the 28th minute and Araki doubled the lead 14 minutes later during a commanding performance by Oiwa’s side, with captain Joel Fujita at the heart of a dominant display.
 
The Japanese will take on Timur Kapadze’s Uzbekistan on Friday to decide this year’s champions while Iraq will meet Indonesia 24 hours earlier to determine who will secure Asia’s third guaranteed berth at the Olympics.

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. 

S-final - Preview: Japan v Iraq

Tue, 30 Apr, 2024

S-final - Preview: Japan v Iraq

Doha: Radhi Shenaishil will make victory the priority as his Iraq side take on Japan in the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Monday, when one of Asia’s three guaranteed berths at the Olympic Games will also be on the line.

The Iraqis have bounced back with three wins in a row after losing their opening match of the tournament against Thailand to reach the semi-finals, and Shenaishil admitted results have taken precedence over playing style since that surprise first day defeat.