Di Biagio proud of Saudi Arabia’s determination

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Di Biagio proud of Saudi Arabia’s determination

Jeddah: Head coach Luigi Di Biagio hailed Saudi Arabia's resilience after the hosts secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over debutants Kyrgyz Republic in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group A opener on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia suffered an early blow, losing captain Abdullah Radif to injury and left it late to secure the three points against 10-man Kyrgyz Republic.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/video/afcu23-|-group-a-saudi-arabia-1-0-kyrgyz-republic

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Vietnam’s Kim pleased with opening salvo; Jordan’s Nahji disappointed

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Vietnam’s Kim pleased with opening salvo; Jordan’s Nahji disappointed

Jeddah: Kim Sang-sik showered praise on his Vietnam players after they produced a professional display to pick up maximum points against Jordan in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group A opener on Tuesday.

The Korea Republic tactician was left purring as goals from Nguyen Dinh Bac and Nguyen Hieu Minh saw his side overcome not only their opponents but also the conditions in the mid-day tie at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium.

Group A: Saudi Arabia 1-0 Kyrgyz Republic

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Group A: Saudi Arabia 1-0 Kyrgyz Republic

Jeddah: Rakan Al Ghamdi struck late as Saudi Arabia edged a plucky Kyrgyz Republic 1-0 in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group A opener on Tuesday.

Debutants Kyrgyz Republic, reduced to 10 men in the 34th minute, looked on course for a point after goalkeeper Kurmanbek Nurlanbekov had saved Musab Al Juwayr’s penalty but Al Nassr Club’s Al Ghamdi struck in the 88th minute as 2022 champions Saudi Arabia got off to a winning start. 

Group A: Vietnam 2-0 Jordan

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Group A: Vietnam 2-0 Jordan

Jeddah:  First half goals steered Vietnam to a winning start in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ with a 2-0 defeat of Jordan on Tuesday.

Kim Sang-sik’s side optimised their set-pieces to great effect to put themselves in a strong position to reach the quarter-finals from Group A, with debutants Kyrgyz Republic their next opponents on Friday with Jordan facing Saudi Arabia.

Preview - Group B: Japan v Syria

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group B: Japan v Syria

Jeddah: Japan know there will be no room for error when they open their title defence against Syria in Group B of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ on Wednesday.

Go Oiwa’s side are bidding to become the first nation to lift the title for the third time and the head coach is fully aware that a strong start is vital in a competition where early momentum can define a campaign.

Preview - Group C: Korea Republic v IR Iran

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group C: Korea Republic v IR Iran

Riyadh:  Korea Republic are determined to kick off their campaign on a winning note when they face Islamic Republic of Iran in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group C opening tie on Wednesday.

The 2020 champions are aiming to go all the way after making their exit at the quarter-final stage in the last two editions, and head coach Lee min-Sung is confident of their chances.