Japan’s Oiwa promises players will continue to develop

Sun, 19 Jun, 2022

Japan’s Oiwa promises players will continue to develop

Tashkent: Japan finished third in the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022, and despite it not being the ending head coach Go Oiwa had targeted, the tactician was optimistic his players had learnt valuable lessons.  

The young Samurai Blue were back at their best in the third-place playoff match against Australia, with Kein Sato opening the scoring as early as the seventh minute, before a Kai Trewin own goal doubled their lead in the 39th minute, with Shota Fujio then sealing the win with his second half strike at the Pakhtakor Stadium on Saturday. 

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_-_3rd4th_placing_|_japan_3_-_0_australia.html

Matsuoka vows to continue working hard after missing out on glory

Mon, 20 Jun, 2022

Matsuoka vows to continue working hard after missing out on glory

Tashkent: Daiki Matsuoka ended his AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 campaign with a Player-of-the-Match performance on Saturday but the achievement left the youngster with a bittersweet taste.

The Shimizu S Pulse midfielder produced a stellar show as Japan rolled 3-0 past Australia to take third place at the Pakhtakor Stadium.

Matsuoka, however, couldn't help but feel that he and his teammates would leave Tashkent with a lost opportunity.

Valuable lessons learnt, says Australia’s Morgan

Sun, 19 Jun, 2022

Valuable lessons learnt, says Australia’s Morgan

Tashkent: Head coach Trevor Morgan believes Australia learnt valuable lessons after their AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 campaign ended on Saturday. 

Australia missed out on a third place finish after losing 3-0 to Japan in the playoff, but Morgan hopes his players continue working hard when they return to their clubs. 

Francois targets Socceroos step-up

Sun, 19 Jun, 2022

Francois targets Socceroos step-up

Tashkent: Singled out as an exemplary leader by head coach Trevor Morgan, Australia U23 captain Tyrese Francois is determined to take his career to the next level by earning a call-up to the senior national team.

Francois was a model of consistency throughout Australia’s AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 campaign and the midfielder is hoping his progression may just catch the eye of Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold.

Japan power past Australia to take third spot

Sun, 19 Jun, 2022

Japan power past Australia to take third spot

Tashkent: Japan defeated Australia 3-0 to finish third in the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 at the Pakhtakor Stadium on Saturday.

Kein Sato opened the scoring with a Jordan Courney-Perkins own goal doubling Japan's lead before the half-time break. Shota Fujio confirmed the emphatic win midway through the second half.

Preview - Final: Uzbekistan v Saudi Arabia

Sun, 19 Jun, 2022

Preview - Final: Uzbekistan v Saudi Arabia

Tashkent: Uzbekistan head coach Timur Kapadze and his Saudi Arabia counterpart Saad Al Shehri expect nothing less than an intense battle when their teams face off in the AFC U23 Asian™ Uzbekistan 2022 final on Sunday. 

Uzbekistan are on the verge of becoming the first team to lift the continental trophy for a second time while Saudi Arabia are bidding to win it for the first time after twice finishing runners-up, setting the stage for a classic at the Bunyodkor Stadium. 

Al Eisa: Al Brikan, Tambakti will power us through

Sat, 18 Jun, 2022

Al Eisa: Al Brikan, Tambakti will power us through

Tashkent: Midfielder Hussain Al Eisa is confident the inclusion of senior team players Firas Al Brikan and Hassan Tambakti will power Saudi Arabia to their first AFC U23 Asian Cup™ title on Sunday.

The two-time runners-up play Uzbekistan and despite expecting a tough challenge, Al Eisa said Saudi Arabia will be well prepared for the final at a packed Bunyodkor Stadium.

Jaloliddinov's focus on team, not personal glory

Sat, 18 Jun, 2022

Jaloliddinov's focus on team, not personal glory

Tashkent: Individual glory will not be on Jasurbek Jaloliddinov's mind when he leads his Uzbekistan teammates out for the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 final against Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

The talented midfielder is in the running for the Golden Boot award with three goals to his name but the 20-year-old said that will not be a factor as all he wants is for Uzbekistan to win the title at the Bunyodkor Stadium.

Uzbekistan 2022 Final: Facts & Stats

Fri, 17 Jun, 2022

Uzbekistan 2022 Final: Facts & Stats

Tashkent: The final of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 will be contested between two of the most in-form teams in the competition.

Set to be played in a packed Bunyodkor Stadium, Saudi Arabia will be aiming to deny Uzbekistan glory before their fans.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at some of the facts and stats leading up to the final.