It should have been different for us, says Uzbekistan’s Kapadze

Sun, 28 Jul, 2024

It should have been different for us, says Uzbekistan’s Kapadze

Nantes: Uzbekistan’s Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 campaign suffered an early end following their 1-0 defeat to Egypt on Saturday but Timur Kapadze felt it could well have been different for the Central Asian side.

The White Wolves, appearing at their debut Olympics, sit bottom of the table after two defeats with the tie against the Dominican Republic on Tuesday merely a chance to salvage some pride.

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Group D: Yamamoto strike takes Japan through

Sun, 28 Jul, 2024

Group D: Yamamoto strike takes Japan through

Bordeaux: Rihito Yamamoto struck eight minutes from time as Japan survived a late penalty miss by Cheickna Doumbia to pick up a 1-0 win over Mali in Bordeaux on Saturday that ensures Go Oiwa’s side will advance to the quarter-finals of the Men's Olympics Football Tournament Paris 2024 from Group D.

Yamamoto’s close range finish came against the run of play for a Japan side that had goalkeeper Leo Kokubo to thank for keeping the African side at bay as the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ champions notched up a second victory four days after defeating Paraguay.

The win, secured when Doumbia pulled his spot-kick wide of Kokubo’s goal six minutes into injury time, means Japan’s six-point haul will be enough to take Oiwa’s team into the next round of the competition as they chase the country’s first Olympic medal since 1968.

Group C: Uzbekistan’s dream ended by Egypt

Sun, 28 Jul, 2024

Group C: Uzbekistan’s dream ended by Egypt

Nantes: Uzbekistan’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stage of the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 were dashed after they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Egypt in their Group C tie at the Stade de la Beaujoire on Saturday.

A first half strike by Ahmed Koka ultimately separated the sides as a second consecutive defeat meant Uzbekistan have no chance of advancing despite still having a match to play.

The win took Egypt to four points, two behind Spain who defeated Dominican Republic 3-1 in the group’s earlier tie on Saturday. 

Group B: Iraq undone by Argentina

Sun, 28 Jul, 2024

Group B: Iraq undone by Argentina

Lyon: Iraq suffered their first loss at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024, going down 3-1 to Argentina in their Group B tie on Saturday.

With Ukraine defeating Morocco 2-1, the group is set for a tantalising final day on Tuesday with all four teams in the running for a place in the knockout stage.

Oiwa expects more from Japan

Thu, 25 Jul, 2024

Oiwa expects more from Japan

Bordeaux: Despite picking up an emphatic 5-0 win in their opening Men's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 Group D match against Paraguay, head coach Go Oiwa believes his Japan team is capable of much more.

While pleased with the result, Oiwa has demanded even more as he felt Japan did not take full advantage of their opportunities against Paraguay.

The South Americans were reduced to 10 men shortly after going behind to Shunsuke Mito’s opener in the 19th minute but Japan could not capitalise on their advantage until midway through the second half.

Hussein applauds Iraq’s strong character

Thu, 25 Jul, 2024

Hussein applauds Iraq’s strong character

Lyon: Aymen Hussein lauded the strength of character shown by his teammates after Iraq came from behind to edge Ukraine 2-1 in their opening Men's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 Group B tie on Wednesday.

Hussein struck the equaliser from the spot four minutes after Ukraine had gone ahead through Valentyn Rubchynskyi with Ali Jasim’s spectacular winner settling the contest in favour of the West Asians.

The 28-year-old forward praised the resoluteness of the Iraqi side as they fought back to earn three points after being put under tremendous pressure by Ukraine for much of the game.

Kapadze praises Uzbekistan's positive attitude

Thu, 25 Jul, 2024

Kapadze praises Uzbekistan's positive attitude

Paris: Proud of a brave effort that saw Uzbekistan push Spain to the limit in their Men's Olympic Football Tournament opener at Paris 2024, head coach Timur Kapadze expressed contentment with his team's performance and highlighted their collective spirit.

Uzbekistan's debut at the Olympics was marked by a spirited display against the former champions. Eldor Shomurodov’s penalty leveled the score after Abel Ruiz’s opener, but a second-half goal by Sergio Gomez ultimately sealed the victory for Spain.

Group D: Japan power past Paraguay

Thu, 25 Jul, 2024

Group D: Japan power past Paraguay

Bordeaux: Shunsuke Mito and Shota Fujio both scored twice as Japan shone in a winning start to Group D at the Men's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 on Wednesday with Go Oiwa’s side handing 10-man Paraguay a 5-0 thrashing in Bordeaux.

Mito struck in the 19th and 63rd minutes before Rihito Yamamoto hit Japan’s third 21 minutes from time after Wilder Viera’s 25th minute sending off for a foul on Yu Hirakawa deflated the South Americans’ hopes.

Substitute Fujio, on as a replacement for Mito, headed in the fourth in the 81st minute before smashing in a fifth with only three minutes left on the clock.

The Japanese are chasing the nation’s first men’s Olympic medal since 1968 after fourth place finishes in 2012 and 2021 and the win at Stade de Bordeaux was a statement of intent from the reigning AFC U23 Asian Cup holders.

Group B: Impressive Iraq recover to beat Ukraine

Thu, 25 Jul, 2024

Group B: Impressive Iraq recover to beat Ukraine

Lyon: Iraq came from behind to secure a 2-1 win over Ukraine in their opening Men's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 Group B match on Wednesday.

Ali Jasim came off the bench in the second half to score the winner as Iraq joined Morocco - who defeated two-time champions Argentina 2-1 in the earlier tie - at the top of the standings.

Group C: Uzbekistan edged by Spain

Wed, 24 Jul, 2024

Group C: Uzbekistan edged by Spain

Paris:  A valiant Uzbekistan fell 2-1 to Spain in their Men's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 Group C opener at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.

Eldor Shomurodov’s spot-kick cancelled out Abel Ruiz’s opener before Sergio Gomez netted the winning goal in the second half to seal the points for former champions Spain.