Khaydarov: Patience the key to Uzbekistan’s win

Wed, 14 Jan, 2026

Khaydarov: Patience the key to Uzbekistan’s win

Riyadh: Head coach Ravshan Khaydarov credited his players’ patience and perseverance for their 2-0 win over Korea Republic in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group C match on Tuesday.

The result secured the Central Asian side a place in the quarter-finals as they topped the group with seven points.

The 2018 champions came alive in the second half against Korea Republic, with goals from Behruzjon Karimov and substitute Saidumarkhon Saidnurullayev consigning their opponents to defeat.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/video/afcu23-|-group-c-uzbekistan-2-0-korea-republic

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Perfect Japan ready for q-finals

Wed, 14 Jan, 2026

Perfect Japan ready for q-finals

Jeddah: With a flawless group stage behind them, Japan’s focus is now on the quarter-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026.

Head coach Go Oiwa’s side showed no signs of easing up as goals from Shusuke Furuya and Ryunosuke Sato sealed a 2-0 win against Qatar and the Group B top spot with a perfect nine points on Tuesday.

Group C: Uzbekistan 2-0 Korea Republic

Wed, 14 Jan, 2026

Group C: Uzbekistan 2-0 Korea Republic

Riyadh: Uzbekistan turned on the power in the second half to defeat Korea Republic 2-0 on Tuesday to seal their place in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ quarter-finals.

The 2018 champions finished top of Group C with seven points while Korea Republic also advanced as the runners-up despite the defeat after Islamic Republic of Iran’s 1-0 loss to Lebanon in the other tie.

Group C: IR Iran 0-1 Lebanon

Wed, 14 Jan, 2026

Group C: IR Iran 0-1 Lebanon

Riyadh: Leonardo Shahin scored from the spot to give Lebanon a 1-0 win over Islamic Republic of Iran in their concluding AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group C match on Tuesday.

Lebanon’s first win of their campaign dashed Iran’s hopes of making the quarter-finals as the Central Asian side finished bottom of the standings on two points, with Uzbekistan and Korea Republic advancing. 

Preview - Group D: Thailand v China PR

Wed, 14 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group D: Thailand v China PR

Riyadh: China PR are focused on creating history when they take on Thailand in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group D match on Wednesday.

The unbeaten East Asian side are a win away from the quarter-finals of the continental championship - something they have failed to achieve in their five previous appearances. 

Preview - Group D: Iraq v Australia

Wed, 14 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group D: Iraq v Australia

Riyadh: Australia and Iraq are in for a do-or-die encounter for the knockout stage when they meet in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group D match on Wednesday.

Tony Vidmar’s side are on three points, with Iraq adrift by one, and with China PR (four points) and Thailand (one) also in contention, it’s anyone’s guess as to which two teams advance. 

Australia displayed dominant form in their 2-1 defeat of Thailand. Despite doing the same against China PR, they failed to convert their chances and fell to a solitary goal.