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. 

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/video/afcu23-saudi-arabia-2026-|-matchday-3-preview

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Syria’s strong character makes Al Hussien proud

Sun, 11 Jan, 2026

Syria’s strong character makes Al Hussien proud

Jeddah: Jehad Al Hussien applauded his players after Syria bounced back into contention in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Qatar in their Group B tie on Saturday.

Head coach Al Hussien said the victory - achieved through Mahmoud Alaswad’s 85th minute penalty -  showed the character of his players as they not only overcame a heavy defeat against Japan in their opener but also injuries to key players.