Group C: Korea Republic open title defence with win against Malaysia

Fri, 03 Jun, 2022

Group C: Korea Republic open title defence with win against Malaysia

Tashkent: Korea Republic kicked off their defence of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ title with a 4-1 win over Malaysia at the Lokomotiv Stadium on Thursday.

Lee Sang-min opened the defending champions' Uzbekistan 2022 Group C account just after the half hour mark with Kim Tae-hwan scoring from distance three minutes into the second half. Malaysia pulled one back through Mukhairi Ajmal in the 83rd minute but there was to be no fightback as Cho Young-wook scored twice in the closing minutes for an emphatic win.

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Group C: Thailand fight back to hold Vietnam

Fri, 03 Jun, 2022

Group C: Thailand fight back to hold Vietnam

Tashkent: Thailand came from behind twice to hold Vietnam 2-2 in Group C of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 at the Bunyodkor Stadium on Thursday.

Vietnam took the lead as early as the first minute, only for a fighting Thailand to draw level in the 34th minute. The young Golden Star Warriors went ahead again in the 73rd minute, but were denied a winning start when their Southeast Asian rivals equalised with a stoppage time goal. 

Preview - Group D: Saudi Arabia v Tajikistan

Fri, 03 Jun, 2022

Preview - Group D: Saudi Arabia v Tajikistan

Tashkent: Saudi Arabia are aiming to hit the ground running when they meet debutants Tajikistan in their AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 Group D opener on Friday. 

The Young Green Falcons will be making their fifth appearance in the competition and will square off against a Tajikistan side who will be eager to make an impact in their maiden outing.

Preview - Group D: United Arab Emirates v Japan

Fri, 03 Jun, 2022

Preview - Group D: United Arab Emirates v Japan

Tashkent: Both the United Arab Emirates and Japan head coaches have boldly sounded their intentions to be crowned the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 champions ahead of their Group D clash on Friday. 

UAE, who reached the quarter-finals stage in all three of their previous appearances, are now led by head coach Denis Silva, and the Spaniard believes he has assembled the best-possible squad for the match against 2016 champions Japan. 

Khoshimov expects more from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan's Agamyradov satisfied with players despite defeat

Thu, 02 Jun, 2022

Khoshimov expects more from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan's Agamyradov satisfied with players despite defeat

Tashkent:  Matchwinner Ulugbek Khoshimov is relishing more victories with Uzbekistan after their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Turkmenistan in Group A of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 on Wednesday.

Playing in front of a partisan crowd at the Tashkent Stadium, Uzbekistan were kept at bay for the better part of the game before substitute Khoshimov scored from the spot with 15 minutes remaining to seal the three points.

The victory means Uzbekistan have a two point advantage at the top of the standings over Qatar and Islamic Republic of Iran, who played to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday. The hosts play Qatar on Matchday Two.

IR Iran's Mahdavikia, Qatar's Cordova rue missed opportunities after opening draw

Thu, 02 Jun, 2022

IR Iran's Mahdavikia, Qatar's Cordova rue missed opportunities after opening draw

Tashkent: Islamic Republic of Iran head coach Mehdi Mahdavikia and his Qatar counterpart Nicolas Cordova were left disappointed after failing to collect three points in their opening AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 Group A match on Wednesday. 

Iran controlled the vast majority of the tie at the Bunyodkor Stadium, mustering up 14 total shots - twice more than the Qataris - but needed a late goal to salvage a point. 

Qatar stunned the Iranians in the 87th minute through Ahmed Al Ganehi but Erfan Shariari popped up to salvage a point with his equaliser three minutes later. 

Australia sound early warning, Kuwait determined to bounce back

Thu, 02 Jun, 2022

Australia sound early warning, Kuwait determined to bounce back

Qarshi: Australia head coach Trevor Morgan has urged his side to fulfill their potential and build on the convincing 2-0 victory against Kuwait which propelled them to the top of Group B of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 on Wednesday. 

The Olyroos dominated proceedings with goals in each half by Louis D’Arrigo and player of the match Jay Rich-Baghuelou, who also marshalled the backline to a clean sheet.

With the win, Australia secured three crucial points which set them on the path to improve their third-place result in the 2020 showpiece in Thailand. 

Jordan’s Hayel seeks improvements, mixed feelings for Iraq’s Soukup

Thu, 02 Jun, 2022

Jordan’s Hayel seeks improvements, mixed feelings for Iraq’s Soukup

Qarshi: Jordan head coach Ahmad Hayel will return to the drawing board after watching his side surrender a one goal lead despite a dominant performance against Iraq who fought back to force a tie in Group B of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 at the Markaziy Stadium on Wednesday. 

Jordan, who finished third in the inaugural AFC U23 Asian Cup in 2013, held the lion’s share of possession for most of the match but only had one goal from Mohammad Aburiziq to show for their efforts. 
 
After taking the lead, Jordan were poised for full points but 2013 champion Iraq sliced their defence open with a perfectly weighted pass by Muntadher Mohammed from their own half as captain Wakaa Ramadhan finished the move with aplomb.  

Asian Playoffs: 4 Classic Encounters

Thu, 02 Jun, 2022

Asian Playoffs: 4 Classic Encounters

Kuala Lumpur: With Australia and the United Arab Emirates set to face off in the AFC Asian Qualifiers Road to Qatar Playoff on June 7, we recall some of the most memorable encounters when the continent’s sides have gone head-to-head with FIFA World Cup™ qualification on the line.

From Japan reaching the global showpiece for the first time to an incredible ending in Riyadh, penalty shootout drama in Tashkent and Syria coming so close to a fairy tale ending, the-AFC.com looks back at four unforgettable Asian Playoffs.

AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers - Know Your Teams: Group A

Thu, 02 Jun, 2022

AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers - Know Your Teams: Group A

Kuwait City: Three sides that competed in Group B of the previous round, find themselves pitted together again in Group A of the third and final round of the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers which get underway on June 8 in the Kuwaiti capital.

Group hosts Kuwait had played alongside Jordan and Nepal in the earlier round, while the trio will be joined by Indonesia for the three matchdays with the winners as well best five runners-up from the six groups, advancing to the Finals.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the four sides ahead of the action kicking off.  

AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers - Know Your Teams: Group B

Thu, 02 Jun, 2022

AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers - Know Your Teams: Group B

Ulaanbaatar: Three of the four teams drawn to face one another in Group B of the final round of 2023 Qualifiers appeared at the most recent edition of the AFC Asian Cup™, so something will have to give when they face off against one another in Ulaanbaatar.

Palestine, the Philippines and Yemen played in the United Arab Emirates in 2019 and all three have made strides forward since, ensuring the battle for the one automatic spot at next year’s tournament will be keenly contested. Hosts Mongolia will be buoyed by home field advantage and should not be written off.

Join the-AFC.com as we review the four teams.