Australia join Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia and Japan as Asia’s contenders at 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Australia join Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia and Japan as Asia’s contenders at 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Bangkok: Australia became the final Asian team to book their place at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games after defeating Uzbekistan 1-0, courtesy of Nicholas D’Agostino’s effort two minutes into the second half, to finish third in the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 at the Rajamangala Stadium on Saturday.

The Olyroos join Japan who qualify as hosts as well as Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia who sealed their Olympic berths after reaching the AFC U23 Championship final, which will be played on Sunday in the Thai capital at 7:30pm local time.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/korea-saudi-semis.html

Third Place Play-off: D'Agostino strike sends Australia to the Olympics

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Third Place Play-off: D'Agostino strike sends Australia to the Olympics

Bangkok: Nicholas D’Agostino’s brilliant solo effort two minutes into the second half sent Australia on their way to the Tokyo Olympic Games on Saturday as Graham Arnold’s side earned a 1-0 win over 10-man Uzbekistan in the third place play-off at the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020.

D’Agostino’s strike at the end of a slaloming run gave the Olyroos the lead after a tepid first half showing and Australia’s first appearance at the Olympics since 2008 was effectively confirmed when Uzbekistan's Oybek Bozorov was sent off with little over half an hour remaining.

The win means Australia qualify alongside Saudi Arabia and Korea Republic for the Tokyo Olympics, which will be played in July and August and where they will join hosts Japan in representing Asia at the 16-nation tournament.

Preview - Final: Relaxed Saudi Arabia now focused on lifting trophy

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview - Final: Relaxed Saudi Arabia now focused on lifting trophy

Bangkok: Head coach Saad Al Shehri believes Saudi Arabia’s qualification for the Olympic Games will allow the country’s players to fully express themselves when they take on Korea Republic in the final of the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 on Sunday.

The Saudis defeated Uzbekistan on Wednesday to end their 24-year absence from the Olympic Games as they claimed one of the three tickets for Tokyo 2020 on offer at the AFC U23 Championship.

Preview - Final: Korea Republic came to claim the title, says captain Lee

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview - Final: Korea Republic came to claim the title, says captain Lee

Bangkok: Korea Republic captain Lee Sang-min has called on his side to realise their dream of winning the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 title when they face Saudi Arabia in the eagerly anticipated final on Sunday.

Having already qualified for this year’s Olympics thanks to a 2-0 win over Australia in the semi-finals, Korea Republic head into the encounter looking to register a sixth successive victory and, in the process, claim their first-ever Continental crown at this level.

Saudi Arabia not satisfied with Olympic qualification, say Bukhari, Al Amri

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Saudi Arabia not satisfied with Olympic qualification, say Bukhari, Al Amri

Bangkok: Saudi Arabia are not content with just sealing a place in the Tokyo Olympics, with Amin Bukhari and Abdulelah Al Amri stressing the West Asians are determined to return home with the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 title. 

Saudi Arabia beat 2018 champions Uzbekistan 1-0 in the semi-finals on Wednesday to seal a return to the Olympic Games after a 24-year absence, and play Korea Republic in the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 final on Sunday.

Road to Final: Korea Republic

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Road to Final: Korea Republic

Bangkok: Korea Republic are one match away from winning the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 title after having finished runners-up once and fourth twice in the previous three editions.

Kim Hak-bum's side have hardly put a foot wrong in Thailand 2020, advancing to Sunday's decider against Saudi Arabia with a perfect record of five wins.

With the final fast approaching, the-AFC.com takes a look at how 2018 Asian Games champions Korea Republic got there.

Road to Final: Saudi Arabia

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Road to Final: Saudi Arabia

Bangkok: Having finished runners-up in the inaugural edition of the AFC U23 Championship in 2013/14, Saudi Arabia did not advance past the group stage in the subsequent two tournaments.

The West Asians, however, came to Bangkok determined to win the title and made known their intentions from the very start with a commanding opening win against Japan.

They are now just one match away from adding the AFC U23 Championship title to the AFC U-19 Championship crown won in 2018 and the-AFC.com retraces how Saudi Arabia got to the Thailand 2020 final.