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. 

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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.

Thailand edge spirited Tajikistan for final spot

Sat, 27 Apr, 2024

Thailand edge spirited Tajikistan for final spot

Bangkok: Goalkeeper Arut Senbat was the hero, saving three penalties as Thailand edged Tajikistan 6-5 in a penalty shootout after their AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 semi-final ended 3-3 after extra-time.

Narongsak Wingwon scored the winning penalty as Thailand advanced to the final for the third time, with either 12-time champions Islamic Republic of Iran or Uzbekistan their opponents in Sunday’s decider.

It was heartbreak for Tajikistan, who had led twice in their inaugural appearance in the semi-finals but couldn't repel Thailand’s incessant attacks.

Playoffs: Afghanistan stun Iraq; Kyrgyz Republic edge Vietnam

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

Playoffs: Afghanistan stun Iraq; Kyrgyz Republic edge Vietnam

Bangkok: Afghanistan and Kyrgyz Republic will square off in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 Playoff 3 after defeating Iraq and Vietnam respectively at the Hua Mark Indoor Arena on Friday.

Tournament debutants Afghanistan stunned Iraq 5-3 while Kyrgyz Republic defeated Vietnam 3-2. The winners of Sunday’s Playoff 3 will join Islamic Republic of Iran, Tajikistan, Thailand and hosts Uzbekistan in the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024. 

Semi-finals: 2nd Leg in Numbers

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

Semi-finals: 2nd Leg in Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: Only two clubs remain in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 after the semi-final stage of the continental competition came to an exciting conclusion on Wednesday.

While Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates held on to edge Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SFC on aggregate and enter next month’s two-legged final from the West Zone, Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos fought back to overcome Korean champions Ulsan Hyundai FC in a penalty shootout in the other last-four clash to represent the East. 
 
With both contests providing plenty to talk about, the-AFC.com looks back at the stats and facts that caught the eye from the second legs of the semi-finals.