Oiwa relieved tinkering didn't cost Japan

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

Oiwa relieved tinkering didn't cost Japan

Doha: Japan head coach Go Oiwa admitted half time changes made to counteract the impact of a pair of first half bookings could have put his team in danger of defeat before the former champions beat Qatar 4-2 in extra-time to advance to the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ semi-finals.

Yellow cards for Seiji Kimura and Kuryu Matsuki in the opening 45 minutes prompted Oiwa into a half-time change, withdrawing Matsuki for Shuto Fujio and the former Kashima Antlers boss felt his decision to rejig the line-up could have unsettled his players.
 
While Japan had taken a second minute lead through Fuki Yamada, Ahmed Al Rawi had levelled the scores before Yousef Abdullah’s 41st minute sending off gave Oiwa’s side a numerical advantage going into the break.

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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. 

#AFCU23 - Group Stage In Numbers

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

#AFCU23 - Group Stage In Numbers

Doha: The AFC U23 Asian Cup enters the knockout stage on Thursday with eight teams still in the hunt for the title and tickets to the Paris Olympics 2024.

Ahead of the quarter-final action which kicks off on Thursday, the-AFC.com takes a look at some key facts and figures from the exciting group stage.

#AFCU23 Vote for your best goal of the group stage

Tue, 23 Apr, 2024

#AFCU23 Vote for your best goal of the group stage

Doha: Spectacular goals lit up the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ group stage with the tournament heading into the business end with not only the coveted trophy at stake but also places in the Paris Olympics 2024.

Ahead of what will surely be exciting quarter-final ties, the-AFC.com invites you - the fans - to pick your favourite goal from an action-packed group stage.