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.

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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.

Q-final - Preview: Iraq v Vietnam

Sat, 27 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

Fri, 26 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.  

Preview - Semi-final: Uzbekistan v IR Iran

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Preview - Semi-final: Uzbekistan v IR Iran

Bangkok: Uzbekistan will encounter their toughest challenge yet when they go head-to-head with Islamic Republic of Iran in the semi-finals of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 at the Bangkok Arena on Friday.

Both sides are in great form, having won their previous four matches en route to the semi-finals with Uzbekistan showing nerves of steel to defeat Vietnam in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, thanks to Sunatulla Juraev’s last gasp goal. 

Preview - Semi-final: Thailand v Tajikistan

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Preview - Semi-final: Thailand v Tajikistan

Bangkok: Thailand and Tajikistan are set for an exciting showdown in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 semi-finals at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium on Friday.

Thailand hold the psychological edge, having defeated Tajikistan in a memorable nine-goal thriller in the 2016 edition and more recently emerging 3-2 winners in the 2024 qualifiers.

Preview - Playoffs: Iraq v Afghanistan; Vietnam v Kyrgyz Republic

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Preview - Playoffs: Iraq v Afghanistan; Vietnam v Kyrgyz Republic

Bangkok: The four losing quarter-finalists of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 will compete for the sole remaining spot in the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 on Friday.

Iraq, who have never featured in the World Cup, will take on debutants Afghanistan, while Vietnam face Kyrgyz Republic.

The two winners will then face off with the victors to be Asia’s fifth representatives at the FIFA Futsal World Cup, joining Islamic Republic of Iran, Tajikistan, Thailand and hosts Uzbekistan.