Preview - Group D: Japan v Saudi Arabia

Mon, 06 Jun, 2022

Preview - Group D: Japan v Saudi Arabia

Tashkent: Former champions Japan and twice runners-up Saudi Arabia are primed for a classic showdown when they meet in Group D of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 on Monday.

The Matchday Two face-off at the Pakhtakor Stadium will be a thrilling encounter with Japan coming off a 2-1 win over UAE, while Saudi Arabia flexed their muscles to breeze past Tajikistan 5-0 in their respective openers.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_-_group_d_|_united_arab_emirates_vs_japan.html

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_-_group_d_|_saudi_arabia_5_-_0_tajikistan.html

AFC Asian Qualifiers Road to Qatar Playoff - UAE v Australia: How They Got There

Sun, 05 Jun, 2022

AFC Asian Qualifiers Road to Qatar Playoff - UAE v Australia: How They Got There

Doha: The United Arab Emirates and Australia lock horns on Tuesday at Al Rayyan Stadium to determine the AFC representatives to face Peru in the Intercontinental Playoff six days later with a place at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 the ultimate prize.

The game marks the penultimate step in a two-and-a-half year journey including 18 matches over the course of two rounds, the first of which was interrupted by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic early in 2020 forcing it to continue just under two years later in a centralised format.

With the UAE eyeing a return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1990, and Australia targeting a fifth consecutive appearance on the world stage, the-AFC.com revisits the path that led both teams to this point.

AFC Asian Cup™ 2023 Qualifiers – Ones to Watch: Groups A, B and C

Wed, 01 Jun, 2022

AFC Asian Cup™ 2023 Qualifiers – Ones to Watch: Groups A, B and C

Kuala Lumpur: With the final 11 places up for grabs at the AFC Asian Cup™ 2023 when the qualification campaign resumes on June 8, we shine the spotlight on some of the players to keep an eye out for as the sides battle it out for a place at the continental showpiece.

We kick off our two-part preview with Groups A, B and C which will be hosted in Kuwait City, Ulaanbaatar and Tashkent respectively.

AFC Asian Cup™ 2023 Qualifiers – Ones to Watch: Groups D, E and F

Fri, 20 May, 2022

AFC Asian Cup™ 2023 Qualifiers – Ones to Watch: Groups D, E and F

Kuala Lumpur: With the final 11 places up for grabs at the AFC Asian Cup™ 2023 when the qualification campaign resumes on June 8, we shine the spotlight on some of the players to keep an eye out for as the sides battle it out for a place at the continental competition.

Having already looked at Groups A, B and C, we now turn the focus to Groups D, E and F – which will be hosted in Kolkata, Kuala Lumpur and Bishkek respectively – and highlight 12 stars who could be the difference for their respective countries.

Jordan’s Hayel salutes Aburiziq’s goalscoring streak, Abdulaziz left to reflect Kuwait’s loss

Sun, 05 Jun, 2022

Jordan’s Hayel salutes Aburiziq’s goalscoring streak, Abdulaziz left to reflect Kuwait’s loss

Qarshi: Jordan head coach Ahmad Hayel hailed his players resolve to crack open Kuwait’s defensive backline in their AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 on Saturday, an important win which kept them in the race for a quarter-final berth. 

Kuwait defended in numbers for over an hour, relying on rare counterattacks to catch Jordan by surprise but the latter found a breakthrough through their in-form striker Mohammed Aburiziq, the second time in as many games in their Group B campaign.

Kapadze: Uzbekistan’s focus reason for impressive victory against Qatar

Sun, 05 Jun, 2022

Kapadze: Uzbekistan’s focus reason for impressive victory against Qatar

Tashkent: Head coach Timur Kapadze was the architect behind Uzbekistan’s 6-0 win over Qatar on Matchday Two of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ 2022, as the hosts thoroughly dismantled their Group A rivals to become the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals. 

Five different scorers and an own goal saw Uzbekistan cruise to an emphatic victory to secure a top spot finish with a match to spare. 

Charyyev dedicates triumph to Turkmenistan teammates

Sun, 05 Jun, 2022

Charyyev dedicates triumph to Turkmenistan teammates

Tashkent: Matchwinner Teymur Charyyev thanked his teammates for their contribution after Turkmenistan defeated Islamic Republic of Iran 2-1 in Group A of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 on Saturday. 

Arzuvguly Sapargulyyev cancelled out Iran’s opener to level the score going into the break before Charyyev’s stunning strike in the second half sealed a historic win for Turkmenistan on their tournament debut.

Uzbekistan players thank fans after wondershow

Sun, 05 Jun, 2022

Uzbekistan players thank fans after wondershow

Tashkent: Uzbekistan captain Jasurbek Jaloliddinov was glad to have laid to rest any doubts about his side’s capability following a superb performance to beat Qatar 6-0 and qualify for the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 quarter-finals on Saturday. 

The skipper led by example, opening the scoring in the fifth minute with Hojimat Erkinov and Khusain Norchaev then putting the hosts three goals up by the halftime break. 

Ulugbek Khoshimov extended Uzbekistan’s lead at the hour-mark, before Qatar’s Yousef Ayman scored an own goal, with substitute Ruslanbek Jiyanov capping off an amazing night for Uzbekistan.

Turkmenistan’s Agamyradov hails players, IR Iran’s Mahdavikia left disappointed

Sun, 05 Jun, 2022

Turkmenistan’s Agamyradov hails players, IR Iran’s Mahdavikia left disappointed

Tashkent: Ahmet Agamyradov was all smiles after Turkmenistan stunned Islamic Republic of Iran 2-1 in Group A of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 on Saturday. 

Turkmenistan fell behind to Alireza Bavieh’s opener but Agamyradov’s men struck back from the penalty spot through Arzuvguly Sapargulyyev to level the tie going into the break before Teymur Charyyev came off the bench to seal the vital three points.

Turkmenistan are second in Group A, three points behind leaders Uzbekistan while Iran and Qatar are on one point.

‘Ice-Kuol’ Aussie relishes wonder goal, Iraq lament goal-shy outing

Sun, 05 Jun, 2022

‘Ice-Kuol’ Aussie relishes wonder goal, Iraq lament goal-shy outing

Qarshi: Forward Alou Kuol rated his ‘scorpion goal’ against Iraq as one of his best, and it couldn’t have come at a more crucial moment with Australia down to 10 men in their AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 Group B encounter on Saturday.

The lanky player, who plays for Germany’s SV Sandhausen, was running towards Joshua Rawlin’s cross but as the ball’s path was slightly behind him, Kuol acrobatically connected with his back heel to put his team ahead before the break. 

Saleh leads new UAE generation looking to overcome vital Australia Playoff

Sat, 04 Jun, 2022

Saleh leads new UAE generation looking to overcome vital Australia Playoff

Doha: Mercurial winger Ali Saleh leads a generational shift at the United Arab Emirates national team as they prepare to take on Australia in the AFC Asian Qualifiers Road to Qatar Playoff on Tuesday.

It is difficult to believe Saleh is still eligible to represent the UAE at the ongoing AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 given how long he has been kicking around. The winger made his first team debut at his hometown club Al Wasl at 15, and by the age of 19 he had become a full international, underlining the potential seen in him by various coaches from an early age.