Quarter-final ties set to be sizzlers

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Quarter-final ties set to be sizzlers

Doha: Defending champions Saudi Arabia will face 2018 winners Uzbekistan in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ quarter-finals following the conclusion of the group stage on Tuesday.

The tie at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Friday headlines an impressive last eight cast, with the other three former AFC U23 Asian Cup winners also through.

Group D: Uzbekistan too hot for Vietnam

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Group D: Uzbekistan too hot for Vietnam

Doha: Uzbekistan showed they will be a team to be reckoned with in the knockout stage of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ after an emphatic 3-0 win over Vietnam at the Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday. 

A first half surge saw Uzbekistan hit the back of the net three times as the 2018 champions concluded their Group D campaign with a perfect nine points.
 
They meet defending champions Saudi Arabia in the quarter-finals on Friday while Vietnam, who also advanced despite the defeat, will go up against Iraq. 

Group D: Winning finish for Kuwait

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Group D: Winning finish for Kuwait

Al Wakrah: Kuwait secured their first-ever win at the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ after defeating Malaysia 2-1 in their final Qatar 2024 Group D match on Tuesday.

Both teams had already been eliminated prior to the match but the win for Kuwait allowed them to leave on a high while Malaysia go home without a point for the second successive edition.

Saadoon hails Iraq’s strong character

Tue, 23 Apr, 2024

Saadoon hails Iraq’s strong character

Doha: Mustafa Saadoon was beaming with joy after Iraq sealed a place in the quarter-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ following a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia on Monday.

It was an eventful match for the Air Force Club player as he was involved in all three goals, winning the first penalty, fouling Haitham Asiri for Saudi Arabia’s equaliser before bundling in the winner with the 21-year-old stressing that the result showed Iraq’s mettle.

Injuries fail to stop Korea Republic against Japan

Tue, 23 Apr, 2024

Injuries fail to stop Korea Republic against Japan

Doha:  Korea Republic head coach Hwang Sun-hong revealed his side overcame a growing list of injuries to hand Japan a 1-0 defeat in their final Group B clash at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ on Monday and set up a quarter-final meeting with Indonesia on Thursday.

Kim Min-soo scored the only goal of the game 15 minutes from time after being introduced as a second-half substitute, with the win confirming the Koreans as Group B winners and setting up an intriguing encounter with Shin Tae-yong’s side.

Tajikistan’s Ergashev steps down; Ithsara sees bright future for Thailand

Tue, 23 Apr, 2024

Tajikistan’s Ergashev steps down; Ithsara sees bright future for Thailand

Doha: History was made but head head coach Mubin Ergashev felt no joy as Tajikistan bid farewell to the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ on Monday.

The 1-0 win against Thailand was Tajikistan's first ever victory at the tournament but it wasn't enough to take them through after Iraq stunned defending champions Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their tie, with the two West Asian sides advancing to the quarter-finals.

China PR’s Cheng pleased with positive mentality

Tue, 23 Apr, 2024

China PR’s Cheng pleased with positive mentality

Doha: Heading into their final Group B match on Monday, China PR were looking to pick up their first points at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ and also end a five-game losing run in tournament history.

While team morale was not at the optimum following back-to-back defeats against Japan and Korea Republic, Cheng Yaodong’s charges finally delivered with a 2-1 success against the United Arab Emirates at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium to leave their head coach a happy man at full time.