AFC U23 Asian Cup 2024

The 2018 runners-up took full advantage of Kuwait going a man down in the 31st minute to claim the three points although they too ended the tie a player down.

Malaysia kept the game tight for long periods but 2018 champions Uzbekistan’s clinical finishing proved to be the difference in a tie of limited chances.

Following their 2-0 win against Indonesia on Monday in the opening match, a second consecutive success at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium will see the hosts become the first side to seal their place in the Knockout Stage and their third appearance in the last eight.

Vidmar is attempting to steer Australia to a second successive Olympic Games qualification and only the country’s third since joining the Asian Football Confederation in 2006, and victory over Shin Tae-yong’s side would take his team a step closer to the knockout rounds.

Rayan Hameed, Haitham Asiri and a brace from Aiman Yahya secured the defending champions a 4-2 win over Tajikistan with Al Shehri adamant that the best is yet to come from the West Asian side.

The Southeast Asian side had only picked up two wins from their previous four campaigns combined but they turned in an impressive display to defeat the 2013 winners at the Al Janoub Stadium in their Group C encounter.

After Waris Choolthong put them ahead in the 26th minute, Thailand held the Iraqis off with a rugged defensive display before adding a second in the 65th minute through Teerasak Poeiphimai. While their opponents kept probing, Ithsara praised the way his team saw the game out.

The 2020 champions, with over 70 percent possession and 16 shots in total, struggled to breach UAE's defence until Lee Young-jun's dramatic header in added time clinched the victory.

The St-Truiden midfielder was instrumental to the success of Go Oiwa’s side at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium alongside goal scorer Kuryu Matsuki after Nishio’s 17th minute expulsion forced the Japanese into a tactical rejig.

Matsuki had started the game in a more advanced role but, with central defender Nishio dismissed for lashing out at China PR’s Jia Feifan, Oiwa replaced Rihito Yamamoto with defender Seiji Kimura and the Japanese took a more conservative approach as a result.