Oiwa confident Japan can go the distance

Sun, 11 Jan, 2026

Oiwa confident Japan can go the distance

Jeddah: Go Oiwa is determined to maintain Japan’s dominance following their 3-0 win over the United Arab Emirates in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group B tie on Saturday, with the victory sealing the East Asian side’s knockout stage spot. 

Japan led from start to finish, with Brian Nwadik, Yuto Ozeki and Shusuke Furuya finding the net, making Oiwa optimistic that his team are more than capable of defending their title.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/video/afcu23-|-group-b-uae-0-3-japan

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Group B: UAE 0-3 Japan

Sun, 11 Jan, 2026

Group B: UAE 0-3 Japan

Jeddah: Japan confirmed their knockout stage spot after powering to a 3-0 win over United Arab Emirates in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group B tie on Saturday.

Goals from Brian Nwadik, Yuto Ozeki and Shusuke Furuya secured the defending champions their second victory, with progression assured with a match to spare after Syria edged Qatar 1-0 in the later tie on Saturday.

Group B: Syria 1-0 Qatar

Sun, 11 Jan, 2026

Group B: Syria 1-0 Qatar

Jeddah: Mahmoud Alaswad’s late penalty earned Syria a 1-0 win against Qatar in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group B match on Saturday.

The result took Syria level on three points with United Arab Emirates, who they meet on Tuesday to decide who advances together with defending champions Japan to the quarter-finals. 

Korea Republic fightback elates Lee

Sun, 11 Jan, 2026

Korea Republic fightback elates Lee

Riyadh: Korea Republic head coach Lee Min-sung was all smiles after his side went into overdrive to beat Lebanon 4-2 in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group C tie on Saturday.

The 2020 champions largely dominated the match but fell behind in the 13th and 48th minutes. They composed themselves to draw level in the 20th and again in the 56th before taking the lead in the 71st and putting the match beyond Lebanon’s reach five minutes later.

The win, with goals from four different players, boosted their chances of making the knockout stage following their goalless stalemate with Islamic Republic of Iran in their Wednesday opener and avoiding defeat against Uzbekistan on Tuesday will seal progression. 

Preview - Group D: Thailand v Iraq

Sun, 11 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group D: Thailand v Iraq

Jeddah: Thailand and Iraq know that defeat is not an option when they face off in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group D tie on Sunday.

Thailand walked away empty-handed from their opening tie against Australia - suffering a 2-1 defeat despite having taken the lead - while Iraq had to be satisfied with a share of the points with China PR. 

Preview - Group D: China PR v Australia

Sun, 11 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group D: China PR v Australia

Jeddah: A confident Australia are looking forward to going head-to-head with China PR in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group D tie on Sunday.

Tony Vidmar’s men impressed in their 2-1 win over Thailand on Thursday, with Ethan Elagich and Mathias Macallister leading the Olyroos charge and the Australian tactician is aiming to get the better of the East Asian side, who they met in the Qualifiers and settled for a goalless draw.