Rawlins confident of Australia's knockout stage chances

Mon, 06 Mar, 2023

Rawlins confident of Australia's knockout stage chances

Fergana: Australia captain Joshua Rawlins is confident Australia can reach the quarter-finals of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbeksitan 2023 following their morale boosting 3-2 win over Islamic Republic of Iran on Matchday Two.

Australia, on three points, will need to beat Qatar in their final Group B fixture on Tuesday to stand a fighting chance of reaching the knockout stage of the tournament.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_asian_cup/video/afcu20_-_group_b_|_islamic_republic_of_iran_irn_2-3_australia_aus.html

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.

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 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.

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.

Kubarev wants more from his Tajikistan side after beating Oman

Mon, 06 Mar, 2023

Kubarev wants more from his Tajikistan side after beating Oman

Tashkent: Head coach Oleg Kubarev was critical of his Tajikistan side despite their 1-0 victory over Oman in Group C of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 on Sunday.

The Central Asian team left it late to grab the winner thanks to captain Amadoni Komolov who followed through with a powerful drive into the back of the net after Sunatullo Azizov’s header ricocheted against the upright with 10 minutes to go.

A first win of the campaign keeps Tajikistan’s hopes of reaching the quarter-finals alive heading into Matchday Three where they take-on Korea Republic who top the group having won both of their first two matches, but Kubarev insisted his side could have done more under different circumstances.

Kang: Perseverance secured Korea Republic the points

Mon, 06 Mar, 2023

Kang: Perseverance secured Korea Republic the points

Tashkent: Kang Seong-jin praised his Korea Republic teammates after his wonder goal ended Jordanian resistance and took Kim Eun-jung’s side to the verge of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 at JAR Stadium on Sunday.

The FC Seoul forward mesmerised the West Asian side with a dazzling run from inside his own half that ended with a spectacular strike into the top corner of Murad Al Faluje’s goal to complete a 2-0 win over the Jordanians after Bae Jun-ho had opened the scoring.
 
Kang’s goal ensured the Koreans maintained their perfect start to the competition as the 12-time champions overcame a difficult opening 45 minutes against Islam Al Diabat’s determined and physical side to pick up all three points.