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.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/video/afcu23-|-group-b-japan-2-0-qatar

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3149842

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3149843

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.

Group B: Japan 2-0 Qatar

Wed, 14 Jan, 2026

Group B: Japan 2-0 Qatar

Jeddah: Japan finished top of Group B after cruising 2-0 past Qatar in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ tie on Tuesday.

The defending champions led from start to finish with goals from Shusuke Furuya and Ryunosuke Sato for a perfect record and will face Jordan in the quarter-finals.

Group B: UAE 1-1 Syria

Wed, 14 Jan, 2026

Group B: UAE 1-1 Syria

Jeddah: United Arab Emirates booked their place in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ quarter-finals despite being held to a 1-1 stalemate by Syria on Tuesday.

The result saw both teams tied on four points each with UAE advancing on a superior goal difference record to set up a meeting with Vietnam on Friday.

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.