All my players are equally valuable, says Japan's Togashi

Tue, 07 Mar, 2023

All my players are equally valuable, says Japan's Togashi

Tashkent: Japan head coach Koichi Togashi stressed the importance of his entire squad as the Samurai Blue notched up another late win at the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 on Monday to hand Kyrgyz Republic a 3-0 defeat at JAR Stadium.

For the second game in a row Togashi’s side hit the decisive goals in the final quarter of the match as Kodai Sano’s penalty set up the Japanese before further strikes from Naoki Kumata and Isa Sakamoto completed the victory.

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Komolov: I want to do justice to my captain’s armband

Tue, 07 Mar, 2023

Komolov: I want to do justice to my captain’s armband

Tashkent: Amadoni Komolov’s goal meant Tajikistan defeated Oman 1-0 on Sunday to keep their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 knockout stage hopes alive and the skipper is determined to continue leading from the front.

An opening day 2-0 loss to Jordan meant Tajikistan had to win against Oman and Komolov was proud to have delivered, with the Central Asian side to face Group C leaders Korea Republic in a do-or-die tie on Wednesday.

Group D: Late blitz powers Japan past Kyrgyz Republic

Tue, 07 Mar, 2023

Group D: Late blitz powers Japan past Kyrgyz Republic

Tashkent: Japan put on another late show to pick up their second win in a row at the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 as Koichi Togashi’s side scored three times in the final 18 minutes to hand Kyrgyz Republic a 3-0 defeat at JAR Stadium to remain perfect in Group D on Monday.

A 72nd minute penalty from Kodai Sano was followed by Naoki Kumata’s third of the tournament three minutes later while Isa Sakamoto concluded the scoring five minute from time as the Japanese moved to the verge of the quarter-finals.

The defeat was a cruel blow for Kyrgyz Republic, who were rarely troubled by the Japanese until the Samurai Blue ruthlessly increased the tempo in the final quarter of the game.

Group D: China PR defeat Saudi Arabia to get back on track

Tue, 07 Mar, 2023

Group D: China PR defeat Saudi Arabia to get back on track

Tashkent: A quick second-half double-salvo secured a crucial 2-0 victory for China PR against Saudi Arabia on Matchday Two of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 at Bunyodkor Stadium on Monday.

Having watched their early lead turn into a 2-1 defeat against Japan in their first match, head coach Antonio Puche’s men left no room for doubt in their second outing, collecting the three points to stay in the race for a place in the quarter-finals.

Preview - Group A: Iraq v Syria

Tue, 07 Mar, 2023

Preview - Group A: Iraq v Syria

Tashkent: Iraq head coach Emad Mohammed is eyeing gradual elimination of mistakes from his players’ game as they take on neighbours Syria in a decisive Group A encounter on Matchday Three of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023.

The Lions of Mesopotamia enter the Tuesday game with more significant hopes of qualification to the next round than their opponents, having collected three points against Indonesia in the opening match before losing 1-0 to hosts Uzbekistan.

A win will confirm Iraq’s place in the next round regardless of the result of the simultaneous clash between Uzbekistan and Indonesia in Fergana, while any other result could complicate matters for Mohammed’s men.

Preview - Group A: Uzbekistan v Indonesia

Tue, 07 Mar, 2023

Preview - Group A: Uzbekistan v Indonesia

Fergana: Uzbekistan and Indonesia are set for an exciting encounter when they meet on Matchday Three of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 Group A at the Istiqlol Stadium on Tuesday.

Uzbekistan, who kept clean sheets in their victories over Syria and Iraq, will be looking to cement their place at the top of the standings when they face an Indonesian side needing a win to boost their quarter-final hopes.

Preview - Group B: Vietnam v IR Iran

Tue, 07 Mar, 2023

Preview - Group B: Vietnam v IR Iran

Fergana: Abdolsamad Marfavi believes Islamic Republic of Iran can overcome a buoyant Vietnam when they meet in Group B of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 on Tuesday.

Iran trail leaders Vietnam by three points and a win for the Central Asian side will surely boost their chances of qualification into the knockout stage, with a possibility of a three-way tie for first place if Australia also defeat Qatar in Group B’s other fixture.

Preview - Group B: Qatar v Australia

Tue, 07 Mar, 2023

Preview - Group B: Qatar v Australia

Fergana: Australia coach Trevor Morgan is confident his Young Socceroos can build on their win over IR Iran when they take on Qatar at JAR Stadium on Tuesday, knowing victory is likely to take his side into the quarter-finals of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023.

Morgan and his team have moved from Fergana to Tashkent for their final Group B match and, after kicking off with a 1-0 loss against Vietnam, the Australians are looking for a second successive win to follow up their 3-2 victory over the Iranians on Matchday Two.