News

Indonesia advance at Korea Republic's expense after shootout drama

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

Indonesia advance at Korea Republic's expense after shootout drama

Doha: In March 2015, Indonesia’s hopes of making it to their first AFC U23 Asian Cup™ were dashed when they fell 4-0 to Korea Republic in their final qualifying match. On Thursday evening, slightly more than nine years on, Indonesia demonstrated the remarkable progress they have achieved since by pulling off a 11-10 win on penalties against the same opponents to seal a historic semi-final place at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™. 

Pratama Arhan’s decisive spot-kick in a marathon shootout after proceedings had ended 2-2 capped a hard-earned triumph for the tournament debutants, who were pegged back twice in regulation time despite playing with a one-man advantage from the 70th minute onwards.
 
For Hwang Sun-hong’s charges, who have made the last four on four out of the five previous editions - more than any other team - the defeat ended their hopes of making the Olympic Games for a 12th time.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_|_qf1__qatar_2_-_4_japan.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/photo/quarter-final_korea_republic_v_indonesia.html

Japan break brave Qatar's hearts

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

Japan break brave Qatar's hearts

Doha: Extra-time goals from Mao Hosoya and Kotaro Uchino ensured Japan squeezed past 10-man Qatar and into the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ with a 4-2 win over Ilidio Vale’s side at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Thursday.

Hosoya slipped the ball under substitute goalkeeper Ali Korayem to break Qatar’s resistance 11 minutes into extra-time and Uchino added the fourth with seven minutes left as Go Oiwa’s side moved a step closer to claiming the title.
 
Fuki Yamada had given Japan a second minute lead before Ahmed Al Rawi levelled with a superb header 22 minutes later, the Qataris then shrugging off Yousef Abdullah’s 41st minute red card to go in front four minutes into the second half through Jassem Gaber.
 
But Seiji Kimura’s 67th minute header restored parity while Hosoya and Uchino struck late to take their nation into the last four as the Japanese seek to maintain their record of qualifying for every Olympic Games since 1996.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/photo/quarter-final_qatar_v_japan.html

Q-final - Preview: Iraq v Vietnam

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Q-final - Preview: Iraq v Vietnam

Al Wakrah: Iraq’s Radhi Shenaishil is throwing the gauntlet at Vietnam ahead of their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ quarter-final at Al Janoub Stadium on Friday.

Encouraged by his side’s improvement in the past two matches that saw them top Group C ahead of defending champions Saudi Arabia, Shenaishil is ready to assume the favourites tag but admits that a different strategy will be needed to combat Vietnam’s strengths. 

Q-final - Preview: Uzbekistan v Saudi Arabia

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Q-final - Preview: Uzbekistan v Saudi Arabia

Doha: It will be a clash of titans at the Khalifa International Stadium when Uzbekistan play Saudi Arabia in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ quarter-finals on Friday. 

The tie is a rematch of the 2022 final, where Saudi Arabia emerged victorious, setting the stage for an intense game with Uzbekistan head coach Timur Kapadze confident of turning the tables after a dominant showing to top Group D. 

Iraq’s Muntadher relishing the pressure; Quan believes in Vietnam

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Iraq’s Muntadher relishing the pressure; Quan believes in Vietnam

Al Wakrah: Expectations are high back home for Iraq to reach the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™, which will also mean booking a place in the Paris Olympics 2024 and the pressure is something that Muntadher Mohammed is embracing.  

The Iraqi captain, who plays his club football in the Iran Pro League with Mes Rasfanjan, is confident that his side have learnt from their opening match defeat to Thailand and will not repeat the same mistakes against Vietnam.

Al Ghamdi counting on Saudi Arabia’s experience; Jaloliddinov vows Uzbekistan will progress

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Al Ghamdi counting on Saudi Arabia’s experience; Jaloliddinov vows Uzbekistan will progress

Doha: Captain Faisal Al Ghamdi believes Saudi Arabia’s experienced players will be vital in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ quarter-final against Uzbekistan on Friday. 

It will be a repeat of the 2022 final at the Khalifa International Stadium, with Saudi Arabia - powered by eight players who were part of their title-winning squad - determined to go all the way at Qatar 2024.  

#AFCU23 - Group Stage In Numbers

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

#AFCU23 - Group Stage In Numbers

Doha: The AFC U23 Asian Cup enters the knockout stage on Thursday with eight teams still in the hunt for the title and tickets to the Paris Olympics 2024.

Ahead of the quarter-final action which kicks off on Thursday, the-AFC.com takes a look at some key facts and figures from the exciting group stage.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_|_quarter_finals_preview.html

Preview - Q-final: Korea Republic v Indonesia

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

Preview - Q-final: Korea Republic v Indonesia

Doha: Ahead of their last eight tie against Indonesia on Thursday, Korea Republic head coach Hwang Sun-hong declared that his side are fully focused on getting through to the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™.

The 2020 champions won all three of their Group B matches without conceding a single goal to progress to the knockout stage, which maintained their status as the only team in all six editions of the tournament to qualify from the group stage at every iteration.
 
Korea Republic have also reached the final four on four previous occasions, the most of any team, and Hwang asserted that they are ready to start on a clean slate at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.