Quarter-final Preview: Uzbekistan v Iraq

Sun, 12 Jun, 2022

Quarter-final Preview: Uzbekistan v Iraq

Tashkent: Uzbekistan and Iraq are set for a titanic showdown when they meet in the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 quarter-final at the Pakhtakor Stadium on Saturday.

The two sides know what it takes to win the tournament, with Uzbekistan claiming the title in 2018, while Iraq were the inaugural champions in 2013.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_-_group_a_|_uzbekistan_1_-_1_islamic_republic_of_iran.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_-_group_b_|_iraq_3_-_1_kuwait.html

Quarter-final Preview: Australia v Turkmenistan

Sat, 11 Jun, 2022

Quarter-final Preview: Australia v Turkmenistan

Tashkent: With everything to play for, Turkmenistan will go for broke when they meet Australia in the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 quarter-finals at the Bunyodkor Stadium on Saturday.

In what has been a dream debut campaign for Turkmenistan, the Central Asian side advanced into the knockout stage from a tough Group A that had hosts Uzbekistan, Islamic Republic of Iran and Qatar.

Ahmet Agamyradov’s side, however, were far from overawed as they defeated Iran 2-1 and came from behind to hold Qatar 2-2 to advance to the quarter-finals. 

Our goal is the title, says Al Shehri

Fri, 10 Jun, 2022

Our goal is the title, says Al Shehri

Tashkent: Saad Al Shehri's Saudi Arabia will settle for nothing less than the title after topping Group D of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022.

The two-time runners-up confirmed their position as group winners following a 2-0 win over United Arab Emirates on Thursday, a result which meant they finished on seven points and ahead of Japan on goal difference. 

Up next for Saudi Arabia are 2018 runners-up Vietnam but Al Shehri is looking beyond the quarter-finals. 

Go: We will not compromise on our style

Fri, 10 Jun, 2022

Go: We will not compromise on our style

Tashkent: Head coach Go Oiwa has promised more of the same when Japan play Korea Republic in the quarter-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 on Sunday.

Japan defeated Tajikistan 3-0 on Thursday to finish on seven points but had to concede top spot to Saudi Arabia on goal difference.

Victory was achieved against the Central Asians despite being reduced to 10 men after Shunsuke Mito was sent off for a challenge on Daler Yodgorov, the second successive match in which Japan saw red.

Saudi Arabia’s Yahya shifts focus to Vietnam after group stage success

Fri, 10 Jun, 2022

Saudi Arabia’s Yahya shifts focus to Vietnam after group stage success

Tashkent: Player of the match Ayman Yahya hailed the positive influence of head coach Saad Al Shehri and his teammates following Saudi Arabia’s 2-0 win over the United Arab Emirates in their AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 Group D fixture on Thursday.

Second half goals from Aiman Yahya and Saud Abdulhamid at the Lokomotiv Stadium meant Saudi Arabia topped Group D ahead of Japan on goal difference.

They will play Vietnam in the quarter-finals on Sunday in what will be a meeting between the 2020 and 2018 runners-up. 

Japan’s Matsuoka excited to face club teammate Oh in Korea Republic face-off

Fri, 10 Jun, 2022

Japan’s Matsuoka excited to face club teammate Oh in Korea Republic face-off

Tashkent: For Japan’s Daiki Matsuoka, there is a lot to look forward to after Japan breezed 3-0 past Tajikistan in their final AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 Group D tie at the Bunyodkor Stadium on Thursday. 

Goals from Kuryu Matsuki, Kein Sato, and Taika Nakashima meant Japan finished second behind Saudi Arabia in the group to set up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash against arch rivals Korea Republic. 

For Matsuoka, that itself promises to be a surreal experience. 

Uzbekistan 2022 Quarter-final cast finalised

Thu, 09 Jun, 2022

Uzbekistan 2022 Quarter-final cast finalised

Tashkent: The quarter-final cast for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022 was finalised following the conclusion of Group D on Thursday.

All four former champions advanced, with two teams who finished runners-up previously, a side who were third two years ago and a debutant joining them.