Preview - Group D: China PR v Saudi Arabia

Mon, 06 Mar, 2023

Preview - Group D: China PR v Saudi Arabia

Tashkent: Head coach Saleh Al Mohammedi cited Saudi Arabia’s decorated history as inspiration for their current team ahead of their second game in Group D of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 against China PR on Monday.

Three time winners of this competition, the young Green Falcons started their title defence with a narrow 1-0 victory over Kyrgyz Republic, the sole goal coming through an Abdullah Radif penalty early in the second half.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_asian_cup/video/afcu20_-_group_d_|_saudi_arabia_ksa_1-0_kyrgyz_republic_kgz.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_asian_cup/video/afcu20_-_group_d_|_japan_jpn_2-1_china_pr_chn.html

Match emotions led to Rahmatullayev's red, says Khaydarov

Sun, 05 Mar, 2023

Match emotions led to Rahmatullayev's red, says Khaydarov

Tashkent: Uzbekistan head coach Ravshan Khaydarov believes emotions got the better of some of his players even as they emerged 1-0 victors in a heated encounter against Iraq in Group A of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 on Saturday.

Polatkhoja Kholdorkhonov bagged the only goal of the game 17 minutes in, but a sequence of events late in the first half overshadowed the conversation.

Khaydarov decided to take-off Nodirbek Abdurazzaqov 10 minutes before the break, introducing Shakhzodbek Rahmatullayev who lasted just nine minutes on the pitch before being dismissed for a rash challenge on Ali Jasim. The Uzbekistan boss offered his take on the substitution and the subsequent incident.

Hoang expects a fully focused Vietnam for IR Iran tie

Sun, 05 Mar, 2023

Hoang expects a fully focused Vietnam for IR Iran tie

Fergana: Head coach Hoang Anh Tuan wants Vietnam to switch their attention to Islamic Republic of Iran following their 2-1 win over Qatar in Group B of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 on Saturday.

Vietnam secured their second successive win at the Istiqlol Stadium, placing the Southeast Asian side on the cusp of qualifying for the knockout stage.

Vietnam sit on top with six points ahead of Australia and Iran, who are three adrift, while Qatar are still seeking their first points.

Shin wants a more clinical Indonesia

Sun, 05 Mar, 2023

Shin wants a more clinical Indonesia

Tashkent: Indonesia head coach Shin Tae-yong said he wants his players to be more ruthless in front of goal after his side handed Syria a 1-0 defeat on Saturday that keeps alive their hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023.

Hokky Caraka’s superb breakaway effort 10 minutes before halftime was the difference between the teams at Lokomotiv Stadium and earned the Indonesians their first win of the campaign after defeat in their opener against Iraq earlier in the week.
 
The win means Shin’s team sit level on three points with the Iraqis, three behind Group A leaders Uzbekistan while the Syrians also retain slim hopes of advancing to the last eight of the competition.

Morgan pleased with Australia’s response, IR Iran's Marfavi left disappointed

Sun, 05 Mar, 2023

Morgan pleased with Australia’s response, IR Iran's Marfavi left disappointed

Fergana: Head coach Trevor Morgan expressed his delight over Australia’s 3-2 victory over Islamic Republic of Iran in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 Group B fixture on Saturday.

Aidan Simmons scored the opener before Adrian Segecic’s brace cancelled out an own goal from Joseph Forde and Alireza Enayatzadeh’s late strike to put Australia back in contention for a quarter-final berth.

Radif puts his faith in Saudi Arabia’s team spirit

Sun, 05 Mar, 2023

Radif puts his faith in Saudi Arabia’s team spirit

Tashkent: Despite Saudi Arabia’s 1-0 victory against Group D rivals Kyrgyz Republic coming through a penalty kick at the Bunyodkor Stadium on Friday, lone goal scorer Abdullah Radif is convinced that the Green Falcons will emerge as group toppers in the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023. 

Over the last few years, Saudi Arabia have proven themselves to be a dominant force across age-groups and were also the last team to be crowned champions in the tournament’s final edition as an U-19 contest in 2018.