Group D: China PR 1-0 Australia

Mon, 12 Jan, 2026

Group D: China PR 1-0 Australia

Riyadh: China PR surged into knockout stage contention with a 1-0 win against Australia in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group D clash on Sunday.

The result moved Antonio Puche’s side to four points, with Australia one adrift to set the stage for a thrilling Matchday Three. China PR will face Thailand on Wednesday while Australia meet Iraq.

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Group D: Thailand 1-1 Iraq

Mon, 12 Jan, 2026

Group D: Thailand 1-1 Iraq

Riyadh: Thailand fought back to hold Iraq to a 1-1 draw in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group D tie on Sunday.

The result left the group tantalisingly poised, with China PR on four points, Australia one adrift, Iraq third after two draws and Thailand with a single point. 

Thailand will face China PR on Wednesday while Iraq meet Australia.

Preview - Group A: Saudi Arabia v Vietnam

Tue, 13 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group A: Saudi Arabia v Vietnam

Jeddah: Saudi Arabia will spare no effort in their search for a win against Vietnam in their final AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group A tie on Monday.

Vietnam lead the standings with a maximum six points with Saudi Arabia and Jordan three adrift with all three teams in contention for the quarter-finals.

Luigi Biagio expects his Saudi Arabia side to bounce back from Friday’s disappointing 3-2 loss to Jordan with victory against Vietnam to take the deciding of the top two finishers into a likely head-to-head tiebreak.

Preview - Group A: Jordan v Kyrgyz Republic

Tue, 13 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group A: Jordan v Kyrgyz Republic

Jeddah: Jordan will be on a mission to secure their place in the quarter-finals when they take on Kyrgyz Republic in their final AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group A tie on Monday.

The West Asian side will go into the match buoyed by a morale-boosting 3-2 comeback victory over Saudi Arabia on Matchday Two, a result that revived their campaign following an opening day defeat to Vietnam. 

Buoyant Sarraf expects more good things from Syria

Sun, 11 Jan, 2026

Buoyant Sarraf expects more good things from Syria

Jeddah: Goalkeeper Maksim Sarraf is hopeful that the clean sheet achieved in Syria’s win against Qatar is a sign of good things to come for the team in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™.

If Syria’s confidence took a knock following their 5-0 defeat to Japan in their opening Group B tie, Saturday’s 1-0 victory reinstalled confidence as Sarraf and teammates showed they are not out of the running just yet.

Japan’s Ozeki showcases his talent again

Sun, 11 Jan, 2026

Japan’s Ozeki showcases his talent again

Jeddah: Yuto Ozeki continued his rise as one of Japan’s most promising talents with a spectacular display in the 3-0 win over the United Arab Emirates in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group B tie on Saturday.

A standout performance at the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2025™ was followed by an instrumental display in Kawasaki Frontale’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Al Nassr Club in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025, which showed there is nothing Ozeki can’t do. 

Against UAE on Saturday, Ozeki was at the heart of Japan’s attacking play - scoring with a brilliant long-range strike to double Japan’s advantage following Brian Nwadik’s penalty.