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.

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Group C: Safarov stars as Tajikistan dash Thailand's hopes

Tue, 23 Apr, 2024

Group C: Safarov stars as Tajikistan dash Thailand's hopes

Doha: Manuchehr Safarov’s header in added time secured a 1-0 victory for Tajikistan over Thailand in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ tie at the Al Janoub Stadium on Monday. 

The win, however, was not enough to take Tajikistan through as they finished third, with Iraq taking top spot after defeating Saudi Arabia 2-1 in the other Group C tie.  The result meant heartbreak for Thailand as well, with the Southeast Asians having been in prime position to book a spot in the next stage. 

Group C: Resilient Iraq edge Saudi Arabia for top spot

Tue, 23 Apr, 2024

Group C: Resilient Iraq edge Saudi Arabia for top spot

Doha: Iraq completed their turnaround at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia to emerge the Group C winners on Monday. 

A second consecutive win enabled Iraq to overcome an opening defeat to Thailand to finish top on six points with Saudi Arabia also advancing as the runners-up, after Thailand lost 1-0 to Tajikistan in the other game.

Group B: Min-woo strike steers Korea Republic past Japan

Tue, 23 Apr, 2024

Group B: Min-woo strike steers Korea Republic past Japan

Doha: Kim Min-woo’s header 15 minutes from time earned Korea Republic a 1-0 win over Japan to seal top spot in Group B of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Monday and set up a quarter-final meeting with Indonesia.

Japan, meanwhile, will take on hosts Qatar in their last eight encounter on Thursday after finishing in second place in the standings, with Go Oiwa’s side suffering their first defeat of the competition.
 
Kim scored 17 minutes after being introduced from the bench by head coach Hwang Sun-hong during a game that had looked destined for long periods to end in a draw as both teams had already secured their spots in the knockout rounds.

Group B: Winning farewell for China PR

Tue, 23 Apr, 2024

Group B: Winning farewell for China PR

Doha: A gritty performance from China PR saw them end their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ campaign on a winning note by defeating the United Arab Emirates 2-1 on Monday.

The victory was only the East Asians’ second ever win in tournament victory and saw them finish third in Group B ahead of their opponents, with both already eliminated prior to kick-off.

Shin delighted to make more history with Indonesia

Mon, 22 Apr, 2024

Shin delighted to make more history with Indonesia

Doha: Having led Indonesia to their maiden AFC U23 Asian Cup™, Shin Tae-yong reached another milestone on Sunday after they qualified for the knockout stage of Qatar 2024 following a dominant 4-1 victory against Jordan.

A draw would have sufficed for progression from Group A but the Indonesians put on a thrilling display at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium to seal their quarter-final berth in style.
 
It came after they had fallen to an opening day defeat against Qatar, before going on to notch a historic win against Australia in their second match and head coach Shin praised his charges for their character.

Vidmar optimistic despite Australia's early exit

Mon, 22 Apr, 2024

Vidmar optimistic despite Australia's early exit

Doha: Tony Vidmar does not believe Australia’s early exit from the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ and failure to qualify for this summer’s Olympic Games will have a negative impact on the country’s long-term prospects at senior level.

The Olyroos were eliminated on Sunday as Vidmar’s side were unable to score for the third game in a row, a 0-0 draw with Qatar at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium confirming Australia’s exit with a third place finish in Group A behind the hosts and Indonesia.

#ACFutsal2024 - Quarter-finalists decided

Tue, 23 Apr, 2024

#ACFutsal2024 - Quarter-finalists decided

Bangkok: Defending champions Japan were the shock casualties as the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024 knockout stage was finalised on Monday.

Japan were eliminated after only managing a 1-1 draw with Tajikistan on Monday, which meant the four-time champions finished third in Group C while Afghanistan created history by advancing on their tournament debut. 

Preview - West Semi-final (2nd Leg): Al Hilal SFC (KSA) 2 v 4 Al Ain FC (UAE)

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Preview - West Semi-final (2nd Leg): Al Hilal SFC (KSA) 2 v 4 Al Ain FC (UAE)

Riyadh: Al Ain FC will have to be at their defensive best if they are to stop Al Hilal SFC in the second leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 semi-final on Tuesday.

Al Ain, the inaugural AFC Champions League winners in 2003, won the first leg 4-2 but know that a tough 90 minutes awaits them at Riyadh's Kingdom Arena.

Preview - West Zone Final (2nd Leg): Al Nahda (OMA) 0 v 1 Al Ahed FC (LBN)

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Preview - West Zone Final (2nd Leg): Al Nahda (OMA) 0 v 1 Al Ahed FC (LBN)

Muscat: Al Nahda will be confident of their chances when they host Al Ahed SC in the second leg of the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 West Zone final on Tuesday.

Al Ahed will take a 1-0 lead into the tie but Al Nahda of Oman will believe home ground advantage will take them past the Lebanese side at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.