Videos

Uzbekistan end Saudi Arabia's reign

Sat, 27 Apr, 2024

Uzbekistan end Saudi Arabia's reign

Doha: Uzbekistan dethroned 10-man Saudi Arabia to book their spot in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ semi-finals with a 2-0 win on Friday. 

Khusain Norchaev and Umarali Rakhmonaliev scored either side of half-time to secure Uzbekistan a fourth-consecutive semi-final appearance, taking them a step closer to their Olympic dream with the 2018 champions to face Indonesia in the last four on Monday. 

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/photo/quarter-final_uzbekistan_v_saudi_arabia.html

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

Indonesia’s Shin: I told my boys to trust me

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

Indonesia’s Shin: I told my boys to trust me

Doha: Before the start of their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ campaign, Indonesia head coach Shin Tae-yong set a target of reaching the semi-finals - on their tournament debut, no less.

On Thursday evening, the former Korea Republic international watched his charges deliver on that aim with a stirring quarter-final victory against his native country, as their dream run continued at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.
 
Afterwards, Shin explained that reaching the last four was an achievement that he had always believed in, as he knew what his charges were capable of having overseen their progress since taking the job in 2019.

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.

It was not our day, says Korea Republic’s Myung

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

It was not our day, says Korea Republic’s Myung

Doha: Korea Republic assistant coach Myung Jae-yong believes that things did not go their way on Friday as they were eliminated from the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™.

A defeat on penalties to tournament debutants Indonesia following a 2-2 draw at the end of extra time meant that the 2020 champions fell short of reaching the last four for a fourth time in six editions, while it also saw them fail to qualify for a 10th straight Olympic Games.
 
Myung did give credit to his side for coming from behind twice in the tie at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium while finishing the game with 10 men after Lee Young-jun’s 70th-minute red card and refused to fault their efforts.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_|_q-final__korea_republic_2_-_2_pso_10_-_11_indonesia_1.html

Indonesia advance at Korea Republic's expense after shootout drama

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

Indonesia advance at Korea Republic's expense after shootout drama

Doha: In March 2015, Indonesia’s hopes of making it to their first AFC U23 Asian Cup™ were dashed when they fell 4-0 to Korea Republic in their final qualifying match. On Thursday evening, slightly more than nine years on, Indonesia demonstrated the remarkable progress they have achieved since by pulling off a 11-10 win on penalties against the same opponents to seal a historic semi-final place at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™. 

Pratama Arhan’s decisive spot-kick in a marathon shootout after proceedings had ended 2-2 capped a hard-earned triumph for the tournament debutants, who were pegged back twice in regulation time despite playing with a one-man advantage from the 70th minute onwards.
 
For Hwang Sun-hong’s charges, who have made the last four on four out of the five previous editions - more than any other team - the defeat ended their hopes of making the Olympic Games for a 12th time.

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

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/photo/quarter-final_korea_republic_v_indonesia.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.