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.

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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.

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. 

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.

Kewell: Marinos can handle any kind of pressure

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Kewell: Marinos can handle any kind of pressure

Yokohama: Harry Kewell expressed pride in the resilience of his players after Yokohama F. Marinos advanced to the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final on Wednesday.

In a frenetic encounter at a rain-soaked Yokohama International Stadium, the Japanese side took a 3-0 lead by the 30th minute and 3-1 on aggregate, only to be pegged back by Korea Republic's Ulsan Hyundai with the match then needing penalties to decide the outcome.
 
Amazingly, Marinos played almost 90 minutes with 10 men, with Takumi Kamijima having been sent off in the 39th minute but not only did they not concede again, Kewell's side won the shootout 5-4.   

Mariners’ Jackson eyes title, heartbreak for Abdysh-Ata’s Akhmedov

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Mariners’ Jackson eyes title, heartbreak for Abdysh-Ata’s Akhmedov

Gosford: Head coach Mark Jackson has firmly set his eyes on the big prize after his Central Coast Mariners side defeated FK Abdysh-Ata Kant 4-1 on aggregate to clinch a place in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 final against Lebanon’s Al Ahed FC.

The 46-year-old Englishman, while delighted that his players passed a  stiff test, does not see it as the end of a journey for his Australian outfit, saying the club from top to bottom stand together in their bid to win the final edition of the AFC Cup.