Puche applauds China PR’s ‘historic’ win

Mon, 12 Jan, 2026

Puche applauds China PR’s ‘historic’ win

Riyadh: China PR head coach Antonio Puche did not try to hide his elation following his side’s 1-0 win against Australia in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group D clash on Sunday.

The East Asian side, who played out a goalless opening draw with Iraq, rekindled their hopes of a quarter-final slot with a 43rd-minute strike by defender Peng Xiao, which came against the run of play.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/video/afcu23-|-group-d-china-pr-1-0-australia

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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.

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. 

Mohammed proud of young Iraq side; Thawatchai happy with Thailand’s spirit

Mon, 12 Jan, 2026

Mohammed proud of young Iraq side; Thawatchai happy with Thailand’s spirit

Riyadh: Iraq head coach Emad Mohammed was proud of his young team for putting in maximum effort in the 1-1 stalemate with Thailand in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group D match on Sunday.

The result left Group D wide open, with Iraq on two points - two behind China PR and one adrift of Australia. Thailand are a point behind Iraq, with Matchday Three to decide the teams advancing to the knockout round.