News

Hat-trick hero Radif vows to do more for Saudi Arabia

Sat, 20 Apr, 2024

Hat-trick hero Radif vows to do more for Saudi Arabia

Doha: Abdullah Radif became the first player to score a hat-trick at the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ since the 2016 edition and only the third to do so in the history of the competition as he helped Saudi Arabia to an emphatic 5-0 over Thailand on Friday.

The ecstatic 21-year-old forward said the big win was a confidence booster for the defending champions as they look to not only retain the trophy but also clinch a ticket to the Paris Olympics 2024.

Oiwa demands a more clinical Japan

Sat, 20 Apr, 2024

Oiwa demands a more clinical Japan

Doha: Go Oiwa wants his players to be more clinical in front of goal in pursuit of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ title after seeing his Japan side advance to the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over the United Arab Emirates on Friday.

Seiji Kimura and Sota Kawasaki were on target for the Japanese, who also hit the woodwork twice on their way to a comfortable victory over the Emirates that moved them onto six points from two games and sealed a spot in the next round.
 
But while the Japanese confirmed their qualification for the last eight ahead of their final Group B meeting with Korea Republic on Monday, Oiwa stressed the need for his players to show more composure in front of goal.

Hwang pleased with Korea Republic improvement, China PR display satisfies Cheng

Sat, 20 Apr, 2024

Hwang pleased with Korea Republic improvement, China PR display satisfies Cheng

Doha: When his side headed into the break with a one-goal lead against China PR on Friday at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, Korea Republic head coach Hwang Sun-hong admitted he was a worried man at that point in time.

That was after their Group B opponents in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ had come close to scoring on numerous occasions, some as a result of defensive lapses, even if Lee Young-jun had broken the deadlock in the 35th minute with their only effort on target.
 
It led to Hwang making much-needed adjustments to Korea Republic’s tactics and he was rewarded with an improved display after the restart, which saw the 2020 champions run out 2-0 winners.

Semi-final, 1st Leg: What they said

Sat, 20 Apr, 2024

Semi-final, 1st Leg: What they said

Kuala Lumpur: Al Ain FC and Ulsan Hyundai FC will travel to the second legs of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 semi-finals with leads to defend after they posted wins over Al Hilal SFC and Yokohama F. Marinos in the first leg last Wednesday. 

The biggest story of the week was inaugural winners Al Ain claiming a memorable 4-2 win over Saudi powerhouse and four-time Asian champions Al Hilal, while in their quest for a third continental title, Ulsan edged Yokohama 1-0. 
 
Before turning our attention to next week’s all-important return meetings, the-AFC.com looks back at what those involved had to say. 

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_|_group_c__tajikistan_2_-_4_iraq.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_|_group_c__thailand_0_-_5_saudi_arabia.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_|_group_b__united_arab_emirates_0_-_2_japan.html

Group C: Tajikistan 2-4 Iraq

Sat, 20 Apr, 2024

Group C: Tajikistan 2-4 Iraq

Al Wakrah:  Iraq revived their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ knockout stage hopes with a 4-2 win over Tajikistan at the Al Janoub Stadium on Friday. 

The 2013 champions dominated from the start and now need a win over Group C leaders Saudi Arabia on Monday to stand a chance of advancing into the quarter-finals, having lost their opening match to Thailand.

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

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_|_group_b__china_pr_0_-_2_korea_republic.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_futsal_asian_cup/video/acfutsal2024_|_group_b__iraq_1_-_4_uzbekistan.html

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