Arnold expects a stronger Australia in quarter-finals

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Arnold expects a stronger Australia in quarter-finals

Bangkok: A relieved Graham Arnold stressed his players needed to make significant improvements after Australia’s 1-1 draw with Bahrain on Tuesday evening earned the Olyroos top spot in Group A and a place in the quarter-finals of the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020.

The Australians will meet the runners-up from Group B in the last eight on Saturday after sharing the points with Bahrain, who exited the competition with two points from their three group matches.

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Group A - MD3: Australia seal quarter-final slot

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Group A - MD3: Australia seal quarter-final slot

Bangkok: Australia secured one of the two places available in the quarter-finals of the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 from Group A on Tuesday as Ramy Najjarine’s goal helped Graham Arnold’s side earn a 1-1 draw with Bahrain at Thammasat Stadium.

Mohamed Marhoon cancelled out Najjarine’s 34th minute opener with a fine free-kick in first half injury time, but it was not enough to deny the Olyroos a place in the next round or to help Bahrain towards the win they needed to stay in the competition.

The result means the Australians keep alive their hopes of a place at the Olympic Games for the first time since 2008, with the first three finishers in this year’s competition earning tickets to Tokyo 2020, while Bahrain go home.

Group A - MD3: Thailand advance to quarter-finals

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Group A - MD3: Thailand advance to quarter-finals

Bangkok: Thailand booked their place in the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 quarter-finals on Tuesday as Jaroensak Wonggorn’s first-half penalty laid the foundation for a 1-1 draw with Iraq which saw the Southeast Asians finish second in Group A.

While the result sent a jubilant Thailand through to the knockout phase of the Championship for the first time, it also signalled the end of Iraq’s title challenge as they exited the competition in the wake of three draws.

Akira Nishino’s charges, who qualified alongside table-topping Australia, will now meet the winners from Group B where Saudi Arabia, Syria and Qatar are all still in contention to advance.

Preview MD3 - Group B: Qatar vs Japan

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview MD3 - Group B: Qatar vs Japan

Bangkok: Qatar head coach Felix Sanchez will lead his team into their final Group B meeting with already-eliminated Japan on Wednesday knowing they must secure a win to stand a chance of advancing to the quarter-finals of the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020.

Sanchez’s side have drawn both of their opening games – against Syria and Saudi Arabia – to sit in third place in the standings on two points, two points adrift of the leading duo with just one round of matches remaining.

With the Syrians and Saudi Arabia due to face each other at Thammasat Stadium, Qatar's hopes are hanging by a thread as should the other match end in a draw, the head-to-head record of the three teams will come into play.

Preview MD3 - Group B: Saudi Arabia vs Syria

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview MD3 - Group B: Saudi Arabia vs Syria

Bangkok: Syria head coach Ayman Hakeem has called on his players to finish their AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 Group B campaign with a victory when they face Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

Hakeem’s charges currently top the standings after drawing with Qatar on Matchday One and then recording an impressive win over Japan last time out.

Preview MD3 – Group C:  Uzbekistan vs Korea Republic

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview MD3 – Group C:  Uzbekistan vs Korea Republic

Pathum Thani: Korea Republic were the first team to secure a place in the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 quarter-finals, but head coach Kim Hak-bum has warned there will be no room for complacency when they face defending champions Uzbekistan in their final Group C match on Wednesday.

The two sides have relocated from Songkhla to Pathum Thani, but Kim hopes his side’s results will remain the same after recording wins over China PR and Islamic Republic of Iran with vastly different starting line-ups.

Preview MD3 - Group C: China PR vs IR Iran

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview MD3 - Group C: China PR vs IR Iran

Songkhla: Islamic Republic of Iran may look to utilise fresh legs, as they fight to keep their AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 campaign alive against China PR at Tinsulanon Stadium on Wednesday.

The knockout stage has come early for Iran, who must beat China - and hope Uzbekistan lose to Korea Republic in Pathum Thani - to have any chance of reaching the last eight of the competition.