Al Shehri: Saudi Arabia deserve to be champions as we were the best team

Mon, 20 Jun, 2022

Al Shehri: Saudi Arabia deserve to be champions as we were the best team

Tashkent: Head coach Saad Al Shehri was in a joyous mood after leading Saudi Arabia to their first-ever AFC U23 Asian Cup™ title, saying the victory was just the beginning of a successful journey for his players.

The young Green Falcons displayed great determination to overcome an Uzbekistan side that had the support of over 30,000 fans at the Bunyodkor Stadium, with Ahmed Al Ghamdi breaking the deadlock in the 48th minute, before Firas Albrikan sealed the 2-0 victory over the hosts. 

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_|_trophy_lift.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_-_final_|_uzbekistan_0_-_2_saudi_arabia.html

Uzbekistan will come back stronger, vows Kapadze

Mon, 20 Jun, 2022

Uzbekistan will come back stronger, vows Kapadze

Tashkent: Uzbekistan were denied a second AFC U23 Asian Cup™ title after losing to Saudi Arabia in the 2022 final on Sunday, but head coach Timur Kapadze was proud of his players for giving their all. 

After a slow start to the match at the Bunyodkor Stadium, Saudi Arabia came out stronger in the second half with Ahmed Alghamdi and Firas Albrikan scoring with the hosts unable to penetrate a defence that ended the tournament without conceding even once. 

Saudi Arabia defeat Uzbekistan to lift long awaited title

Mon, 20 Jun, 2022

Saudi Arabia defeat Uzbekistan to lift long awaited title

Tashkent: Saudi Arabia were crowned the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 champions after beating Uzbekistan 2-0 in the final on Sunday. 

The young Green Falcons turned on the power in the second half with Ahmed Alghamdi and Firas Albrikan finding the back of the net as Saudi Arabia lifted the title for the first time after having finished runners-up in 2013 and 2020.

Amazingly, the 2022 title was won with Saudi Arabia not conceding a single goal in six matches. 

Yahya lands MVP honour

Mon, 20 Jun, 2022

Yahya lands MVP honour

Tashkent: Saudi Arabia's Ayman Yahya was named the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 Most Valuable Player on Sunday.

The forward not only scored three goals but his overall performance throughout the tournament played a major role in Saudi Arabia winning the title for the first time.

Saudi Arabia's Nawaf Alaqidi named Best Goalkeeper

Sun, 19 Jun, 2022

Saudi Arabia's Nawaf Alaqidi named Best Goalkeeper

Tashkent: Nawaf Alaqidi's safe hands saw him named the Best Goalkeeper of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 on Sunday.

The goalkeeper played a major part in Saudi Arabia winning the title for the first time as he kept an amazing six clean sheets in the continental showpiece.

Korea Republic's Cho wins Yili Top Scorer award

Mon, 20 Jun, 2022

Korea Republic's Cho wins Yili Top Scorer award

Tashkent: Korea Republic striker Cho Young-wook won the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 Yili Top Scorer award on Sunday.

Cho scored three goals and had one assist for Korea Republic, with the defending champions' campaign having been ended by Japan in the quarter-finals. 

Japan’s Oiwa promises players will continue to develop

Sun, 19 Jun, 2022

Japan’s Oiwa promises players will continue to develop

Tashkent: Japan finished third in the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022, and despite it not being the ending head coach Go Oiwa had targeted, the tactician was optimistic his players had learnt valuable lessons.  

The young Samurai Blue were back at their best in the third-place playoff match against Australia, with Kein Sato opening the scoring as early as the seventh minute, before a Kai Trewin own goal doubled their lead in the 39th minute, with Shota Fujio then sealing the win with his second half strike at the Pakhtakor Stadium on Saturday. 

Valuable lessons learnt, says Australia’s Morgan

Sun, 19 Jun, 2022

Valuable lessons learnt, says Australia’s Morgan

Tashkent: Head coach Trevor Morgan believes Australia learnt valuable lessons after their AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 campaign ended on Saturday. 

Australia missed out on a third place finish after losing 3-0 to Japan in the playoff, but Morgan hopes his players continue working hard when they return to their clubs.