Our goal is the title, says Al Shehri

Fri, 10 Jun, 2022

Our goal is the title, says Al Shehri

Tashkent: Saad Al Shehri's Saudi Arabia will settle for nothing less than the title after topping Group D of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022.

The two-time runners-up confirmed their position as group winners following a 2-0 win over United Arab Emirates on Thursday, a result which meant they finished on seven points and ahead of Japan on goal difference. 

Up next for Saudi Arabia are 2018 runners-up Vietnam but Al Shehri is looking beyond the quarter-finals. 

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_-_group_d_|_saudi_arabia_2_-_0_united_arab_emirates.html

Saudi Arabia’s Yahya shifts focus to Vietnam after group stage success

Fri, 10 Jun, 2022

Saudi Arabia’s Yahya shifts focus to Vietnam after group stage success

Tashkent: Player of the match Ayman Yahya hailed the positive influence of head coach Saad Al Shehri and his teammates following Saudi Arabia’s 2-0 win over the United Arab Emirates in their AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 Group D fixture on Thursday.

Second half goals from Aiman Yahya and Saud Abdulhamid at the Lokomotiv Stadium meant Saudi Arabia topped Group D ahead of Japan on goal difference.

They will play Vietnam in the quarter-finals on Sunday in what will be a meeting between the 2020 and 2018 runners-up. 

Go: We will not compromise on our style

Fri, 10 Jun, 2022

Go: We will not compromise on our style

Tashkent: Head coach Go Oiwa has promised more of the same when Japan play Korea Republic in the quarter-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 on Sunday.

Japan defeated Tajikistan 3-0 on Thursday to finish on seven points but had to concede top spot to Saudi Arabia on goal difference.

Victory was achieved against the Central Asians despite being reduced to 10 men after Shunsuke Mito was sent off for a challenge on Daler Yodgorov, the second successive match in which Japan saw red.

Japan’s Matsuoka excited to face club teammate Oh in Korea Republic face-off

Fri, 10 Jun, 2022

Japan’s Matsuoka excited to face club teammate Oh in Korea Republic face-off

Tashkent: For Japan’s Daiki Matsuoka, there is a lot to look forward to after Japan breezed 3-0 past Tajikistan in their final AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 Group D tie at the Bunyodkor Stadium on Thursday. 

Goals from Kuryu Matsuki, Kein Sato, and Taika Nakashima meant Japan finished second behind Saudi Arabia in the group to set up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash against arch rivals Korea Republic. 

For Matsuoka, that itself promises to be a surreal experience. 

Uzbekistan 2022 Quarter-final cast finalised

Thu, 09 Jun, 2022

Uzbekistan 2022 Quarter-final cast finalised

Tashkent: The quarter-final cast for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022 was finalised following the conclusion of Group D on Thursday.

All four former champions advanced, with two teams who finished runners-up previously, a side who were third two years ago and a debutant joining them.

Hwang expects a more clinical Korea Republic in knockout stage

Thu, 09 Jun, 2022

Hwang expects a more clinical Korea Republic in knockout stage

Tashkent: Korea Republic secured their AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 quarter-final spot after edging Thailand 1-0 at the Pakhtakor Stadium on Wednesday but head coach Hwang Sun-hong believes there is plenty of room for improvement. 

Go Jae-hyeon’s 35th-minute strike sealed the win for the defending champions against a resolute Thailand, who were also in the running for a knockout stage berth, and Hwang congratulated his players for achieving their target with Korea Republic topping Group C on seven points. 

Hai Long eyes more playing time after helping Vietnam into quarter-finals

Thu, 09 Jun, 2022

Hai Long eyes more playing time after helping Vietnam into quarter-finals

Tashkent: Nguyen Hai Long was trusted by head coach Gong Oh-kyun to start Vietnam’s final AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022  Group C tie against Malaysia on Wednesday and the midfielder repaid the faith in him by producing a player of the match performance.

Although Hai Long did not get on the scoresheet, he played a pivotal role in Vietnam’s 2-0 win which saw the 2018 runners-up finishing second behind Korea Republic to advance to the quarter-finals at Thailand’s expense.

Boosted by his performance, the 21-year-old is now hoping for more playing time as Vietnam look to extend their Uzbekistan 2022 adventure, with the Group D winners their opponents in the quarter-finals.