Matsuoka vows to continue working hard after missing out on glory

Mon, 20 Jun, 2022

Matsuoka vows to continue working hard after missing out on glory

Tashkent: Daiki Matsuoka ended his AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 campaign with a Player-of-the-Match performance on Saturday but the achievement left the youngster with a bittersweet taste.

The Shimizu S Pulse midfielder produced a stellar show as Japan rolled 3-0 past Australia to take third place at the Pakhtakor Stadium.

Matsuoka, however, couldn't help but feel that he and his teammates would leave Tashkent with a lost opportunity.

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Francois targets Socceroos step-up

Sun, 19 Jun, 2022

Francois targets Socceroos step-up

Tashkent: Singled out as an exemplary leader by head coach Trevor Morgan, Australia U23 captain Tyrese Francois is determined to take his career to the next level by earning a call-up to the senior national team.

Francois was a model of consistency throughout Australia’s AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 campaign and the midfielder is hoping his progression may just catch the eye of Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold.

Japan power past Australia to take third spot

Sun, 19 Jun, 2022

Japan power past Australia to take third spot

Tashkent: Japan defeated Australia 3-0 to finish third in the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 at the Pakhtakor Stadium on Saturday.

Kein Sato opened the scoring with a Jordan Courney-Perkins own goal doubling Japan's lead before the half-time break. Shota Fujio confirmed the emphatic win midway through the second half.

Preview - Final: Uzbekistan v Saudi Arabia

Sun, 19 Jun, 2022

Preview - Final: Uzbekistan v Saudi Arabia

Tashkent: Uzbekistan head coach Timur Kapadze and his Saudi Arabia counterpart Saad Al Shehri expect nothing less than an intense battle when their teams face off in the AFC U23 Asian™ Uzbekistan 2022 final on Sunday. 

Uzbekistan are on the verge of becoming the first team to lift the continental trophy for a second time while Saudi Arabia are bidding to win it for the first time after twice finishing runners-up, setting the stage for a classic at the Bunyodkor Stadium. 

Al Eisa: Al Brikan, Tambakti will power us through

Sat, 18 Jun, 2022

Al Eisa: Al Brikan, Tambakti will power us through

Tashkent: Midfielder Hussain Al Eisa is confident the inclusion of senior team players Firas Al Brikan and Hassan Tambakti will power Saudi Arabia to their first AFC U23 Asian Cup™ title on Sunday.

The two-time runners-up play Uzbekistan and despite expecting a tough challenge, Al Eisa said Saudi Arabia will be well prepared for the final at a packed Bunyodkor Stadium.

Jaloliddinov's focus on team, not personal glory

Sat, 18 Jun, 2022

Jaloliddinov's focus on team, not personal glory

Tashkent: Individual glory will not be on Jasurbek Jaloliddinov's mind when he leads his Uzbekistan teammates out for the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 final against Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

The talented midfielder is in the running for the Golden Boot award with three goals to his name but the 20-year-old said that will not be a factor as all he wants is for Uzbekistan to win the title at the Bunyodkor Stadium.

Al Shehri a boon to young talent

Sat, 18 Jun, 2022

Al Shehri a boon to young talent

Tashkent: It should come as no surprise that Saad Al Shehri has steered Saudi Arabia into their second successive AFC U23 Asian Cup™
final.

The 42-year-old has, after all, made it his career to mould age-group players into winners.  

While he played his professional career as a midfielder with several clubs and was a member of the Saudi Arabia U20 squad that played in the 1999 FIFA World Youth Cup, transitioning into a coach has seen Al Shehri fulfil his true potential.

Prolific winner Kapadze ready for next step

Sat, 18 Jun, 2022

Prolific winner Kapadze ready for next step

Tashkent: When Timur Kapadze leads Uzbekistan out for the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 final on Sunday, he will have a wealth of experience to fall back on.

Extremely successful as a player, Kapadze's influence on the Uzbekistan squad cannot be denied as the former international has brought the best out of captain Jasurbek Jaloliddinov and his teammates over the course of the continental showpiece.

Never once during the tournament have Uzbekistan bowed their heads as they overcome tough odds to move within one match of becoming the first nation to lift the AFC U23 Asian Cup trophy twice and this is largely due to the spirit Kapadze has inculcated in the squad.

Saudi Arabia - Road to Final

Fri, 17 Jun, 2022

Saudi Arabia - Road to Final

Tashkent: After a gruelling competition which kicked off on June 1, we have reached the final of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022.

Saudi Arabia are one match away from winning the coveted title for the first time after runners-up finishes in 2013 and 2020.

Join the-AFC.com as we retrace Saad Al Shehri's side's march into the final.

Uzbekistan - Road to Final

Fri, 17 Jun, 2022

Uzbekistan - Road to Final

Tashkent: After a gruelling competition which kicked off on June 1, we have reached the final of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022.

Hosts Uzbekistan are on the verge of creating history as they are one match away from becoming the first side to win the coveted trophy twice, having emerged champions in 2018.

The-AFC.com reviews how Timur Kapadze's exciting side reached the final. 

Uzbekistan 2022 Final: Facts & Stats

Fri, 17 Jun, 2022

Uzbekistan 2022 Final: Facts & Stats

Tashkent: The final of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 will be contested between two of the most in-form teams in the competition.

Set to be played in a packed Bunyodkor Stadium, Saudi Arabia will be aiming to deny Uzbekistan glory before their fans.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at some of the facts and stats leading up to the final.