Saudi Arabia’s Al Shehri optimistic despite heartbreak

Sat, 27 Apr, 2024

Saudi Arabia’s Al Shehri optimistic despite heartbreak

Doha: Saudi Arabia’s AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ campaign may have come to an end but Saad Al Shehri is optimistic about the future, with the head coach confident his players are set to become the new faces of the West Asian nation's football. 

Saudi Arabia’s title defence was ended in the quarter-finals by Uzbekistan on Friday, with the Central Asian side exacting revenge for their loss in the final two years ago. 
 
Al Shehri’s side just couldn’t get a foothold in the game and their situation was made worse by Aiman Yahya’s red card, with Uzbekistan winning 2-0 to book a semi-final date with Indonesia.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_|_q-final__uzbekistan_2_-_0_saudi_arabia.html

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And then there were four

Sat, 27 Apr, 2024

And then there were four

Doha: The AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ could see the first two-time champions crowned after Iraq and Uzbekistan booked their semi-final spots on Friday.

The two, together with Japan, are former winners with tournament debutants Indonesia the odd ones out. 

Uzbekistan end Saudi Arabia's reign

Sat, 27 Apr, 2024

Uzbekistan end Saudi Arabia's reign

Doha: Uzbekistan dethroned 10-man Saudi Arabia to book their spot in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ semi-finals with a 2-0 win on Friday. 

Khusain Norchaev and Umarali Rakhmonaliev scored either side of half-time to secure Uzbekistan a fourth-consecutive semi-final appearance, taking them a step closer to their Olympic dream with the 2018 champions to face Indonesia in the last four on Monday. 

Jasim strike sends Iraq into semis

Sat, 27 Apr, 2024

Jasim strike sends Iraq into semis

Al Wakrah: Iraq became the final team to check into the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ after they overcame Vietnam 1-0 at Al Janoub Stadium on Friday, joining Indonesia, Japan and Uzbekistan in the last four.

With little separating the two sides, the decisive touch was supplied by Ali Jasim from the penalty spot in the 64th minute to give Iraq their first semi-final appearance since the 2016 edition, which was also held in Qatar. 

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.

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.

Fighting Qatar make Vale proud

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

Fighting Qatar make Vale proud

Doha: Ilidio Vale hailed his Qatar players’ tenacity and spirit after the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ hosts exited the tournament on Thursday with a 4-2 extra-time defeat against former champions Japan at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.

Qatar gave the 2016 winners a scare despite playing much of the game with 10 men following goalkeeper Yousef Abdullah’s 41st minute sending off, only succumbing to extra-time goals from Mao Hosoya and Kotaro Uchida.

It was not our day, says Korea Republic’s Myung

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

It was not our day, says Korea Republic’s Myung

Doha: Korea Republic assistant coach Myung Jae-yong believes that things did not go their way on Friday as they were eliminated from the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™.

A defeat on penalties to tournament debutants Indonesia following a 2-2 draw at the end of extra time meant that the 2020 champions fell short of reaching the last four for a fourth time in six editions, while it also saw them fail to qualify for a 10th straight Olympic Games.
 
Myung did give credit to his side for coming from behind twice in the tie at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium while finishing the game with 10 men after Lee Young-jun’s 70th-minute red card and refused to fault their efforts.