#AFCU23 - Q-finals: Facts & Figures

Sat, 27 Apr, 2024

#AFCU23 - Q-finals: Facts & Figures

Doha: The AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ is fast approaching its climax with the semi-finals to be played on Monday.

Ahead of Indonesia meeting Vietnam and Japan squaring off against Iraq, the-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts and figures from the four pulsating quarter-final ties. 

Norchaev warns Uzbekistan to remain focused

Sat, 27 Apr, 2024

Norchaev warns Uzbekistan to remain focused

Doha: Uzbekistan took a huge step towards a second AFC U23 Asian Cup™ title after an impressive 2-0 quarter-final win over defending champions Saudi Arabia at Qatar 2024 on Friday but Khusain Norchaev has urged his teammates to forget the win and focus on their semi-final challenge.  

The encounter at the Khalifa International Stadium was a rematch of the 2022 final but strikes from Norchaev and Umarali Rakhmonaliev ensured that it would be Uzbekistan celebrating at the final whistle this time around. 

Jasim: Iraq can only get better

Sat, 27 Apr, 2024

Jasim: Iraq can only get better

Al Wakrah: Ali Jasim is confident that a more potent Iraq will emerge at the business end of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™. 

Jasim’s strike from the penalty spot sealed Iraq a 1-0 win against Vietnam in the quarter-finals on Friday, with the exciting forward joining Abdullah Radif and Aiman Yahya of Saudi Arabia and Korea Republic’s Lee Young-jun at the top of the goalscorers’ chart on three goals.
 
However, the 20-year-old was well aware that his side squandered several opportunities against Vietnam but is confident the goals will soon flow, with Iraq to meet Japan in the semi-finals on Monday. 

Shenaishil relieved Iraq coped with pressure; Vietnam’s Hoang sees promise

Sat, 27 Apr, 2024

Shenaishil relieved Iraq coped with pressure; Vietnam’s Hoang sees promise

Al Wakrah: Radhi Shenaishil admitted that his Iraq side were under pressure to deliver in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ quarter-final against Vietnam on Friday. 

It wasn’t a vintage performance from the 2013 champions but Shenaishil wasn’t overly concerned, saying what mattered at this stage of the competition was getting results. 
 
Ali Jasim’s second half penalty secured Iraq their place in the semi-finals, with the West Asian side to play 2016 champions Japan next. 

Saudi Arabia’s Al Shehri optimistic despite heartbreak

Sat, 27 Apr, 2024

Saudi Arabia’s Al Shehri optimistic despite heartbreak

Doha: Saudi Arabia’s AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ campaign may have come to an end but Saad Al Shehri is optimistic about the future, with the head coach confident his players are set to become the new faces of the West Asian nation's football. 

Saudi Arabia’s title defence was ended in the quarter-finals by Uzbekistan on Friday, with the Central Asian side exacting revenge for their loss in the final two years ago. 
 
Al Shehri’s side just couldn’t get a foothold in the game and their situation was made worse by Aiman Yahya’s red card, with Uzbekistan winning 2-0 to book a semi-final date with Indonesia.

Indonesia’s Shin: I told my boys to trust me

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

Indonesia’s Shin: I told my boys to trust me

Doha: Before the start of their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ campaign, Indonesia head coach Shin Tae-yong set a target of reaching the semi-finals - on their tournament debut, no less.

On Thursday evening, the former Korea Republic international watched his charges deliver on that aim with a stirring quarter-final victory against his native country, as their dream run continued at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.
 
Afterwards, Shin explained that reaching the last four was an achievement that he had always believed in, as he knew what his charges were capable of having overseen their progress since taking the job in 2019.

Oiwa relieved tinkering didn't cost Japan

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

Oiwa relieved tinkering didn't cost Japan

Doha: Japan head coach Go Oiwa admitted half time changes made to counteract the impact of a pair of first half bookings could have put his team in danger of defeat before the former champions beat Qatar 4-2 in extra-time to advance to the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ semi-finals.

Yellow cards for Seiji Kimura and Kuryu Matsuki in the opening 45 minutes prompted Oiwa into a half-time change, withdrawing Matsuki for Shuto Fujio and the former Kashima Antlers boss felt his decision to rejig the line-up could have unsettled his players.
 
While Japan had taken a second minute lead through Fuki Yamada, Ahmed Al Rawi had levelled the scores before Yousef Abdullah’s 41st minute sending off gave Oiwa’s side a numerical advantage going into the break.