Uzbekistan, winners in 2018 and runners-up two years ago, will feel they can go all the way after ending Saudi Arabia's reign in their quarter-final showdown on Friday. 

 

Goals from Khusain Norchaev and Umarali Rakhmonaliev steered Uzbekistan past Saudi Arabia as the Central Asian side erased the disappointment of two years ago on home soil. 

Uzbekistan fully deserved their victory but in Indonesia, they will face a side who are equally determined to go all the way.

 

Head coach Shin Tae-yong believes his team can lift the title and their confidence would have been further boosted after their marathon penalty shootout win over 2020 champions Korea Republic on Thursday. 

Iraq, champions in 2013, have grown from strength to strength after kicking off their campaign with a shock 2-0 defeat to Thailand in the group stage.

 

The mercurial Ali Jasim scored from the penalty spot in their 1-0 quarter-final win over Vietnam on Friday and the West Asian side - in the semi-finals for the first time since 2016 -  will relish the opportunity of taking on Japan.

Japan, winners in 2016, have had to endure a tough journey en route to the semi-finals as their 1-0 defeat to Korea Republic was followed by a gruelling 120-minute slugfest with hosts Qatar in the quarter-finals on Thursday.

 

The East Asian side ultimately prevailed after Qatar were reduced to 10 players but they will feel they have the experience and guile to see off the challenge of Iraq.

 

Besides continental glory, the top three teams will qualify for the Olympics while the fourth-placed side will face Guinea in a playoff on May 9 for a possible fourth Asian representative at Paris 2024.

Monday
Indonesia v Uzbekistan 
Venue: Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium (Doha)
Kick-off: 17:00 (UTC+3)

Japan v Iraq 
Venue: Jassim Bin hamad Stadium (Doha)
Kick-off: 20:30 (UTC+3)