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.

Asian match officials ready to shine at 2024 Paris Olympic Games

Wed, 24 Jul, 2024

Asian match officials ready to shine at 2024 Paris Olympic Games

Kuala Lumpur: As the Olympic Football Tournaments Paris 2024 kick off on Wednesday, Asian referees are set to fly the flag of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) high with as many as 16 officials being appointed to the prestigious competition.

The roster features several familiar faces, including the iconic Yoshimi Yamashita who will be making a second appearance at the Olympic Games following her debut in Tokyo in 2021.

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.

Preview - Men's MD1

Mon, 22 Jul, 2024

Preview - Men's MD1

Kuala Lumpur: Uzbekistan, Iraq and Japan will be looking to get their respective Paris Olympics Men’s Football Tournament 2024 campaigns off to a positive start when the tournament gets underway on Wednesday.

Tournament debutants Uzbekistan will face former gold medallists Spain while Iraq will be tested by Ukraine with Japan facing off against a confident Paraguay.

Men’s Football - Players to Watch

Mon, 15 Jul, 2024

Men’s Football - Players to Watch

Kuala Lumpur: The Paris Olympics Men’s Football Tournament is set to be a spectacle with three Asian teams striving for glory.

Japan, Uzbekistan and Iraq are all determined to produce a medal finish and the-AFC.com takes a look at the players who will be pivotal to their chances.

Ikeda optimistic of Japan’s chances

Sat, 20 Jul, 2024

Ikeda optimistic of Japan’s chances

Paris: Futoshi Ikeda believes Japan can claim their first medal in the women’s competition at the Olympic Games since 20212 by sticking to their own style of football despite being handed a daunting challenge in the group phase of this summer’s tournament.

The Nadeshiko have been drawn to face reigning FIFA Women’s World Cup holders Spain as well as current South American champions Brazil and 11-times African title winners Nigeria at the Paris Games, but Ikeda is refusing to be pessimistic.

Iraq return to Olympics with high hopes under Shenaishil

Wed, 10 Jul, 2024

Iraq return to Olympics with high hopes under Shenaishil

Basra: Iraq coach Radhi Shenaishil has set his sights on a place in the knockout rounds at the Olympic Games later this month as he leads his team to Paris following their third place finish at the AFC U23 Asian Cup in Qatar earlier this year.

The Iraqis will be returning to the Olympics for their third appearance after a memorable run to the semi-finals in Athens in 2004 and their qualification for Rio de Janeiro 12 years later.

And while the country’s most recent involvement ended in a group phase elimination, Shenaishil is looking to emulate the achievements of the squad led by Younis Mahmood and Nashat Akram by securing a place in the second phase of the competition.

Oiwa: Japan have the means to win medal

Thu, 25 Jul, 2024

Oiwa: Japan have the means to win medal

Kuala Lumpur: Go Oiwa will take his Japan team to the Paris Olympics with his sights set on a medal-winning performance and his spirits buoyed by the nation’s recent AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ success.

The former Kashima Antlers coach, who led the J1 League side to the AFC Champions League title in 2018, steered his team to victory in the continental championship in May to secure the country’s eighth successive Olympic Games qualification.

Oiwa’s team defeated Uzbekistan in the final in Doha to lift the trophy for the second time as the Japanese continued their record of qualifying for every Olympic Games since 1996 and the head coach is targeting further success for his team later this summer.

Know the Asian Coaches - Men's Tournament

Sun, 14 Jul, 2024

Know the Asian Coaches - Men's Tournament

Kuala Lumpur: Radhi Shenaishil, Go Oiwa and Timur Kapadze all have the same target heading into the Paris Olympics Men's Football Tournament - leading their respective teams to medal glory.

While Asian teams made their Olympics debut in the 1938 edition, only twice has a side from the continent won a medal at the global showpiece - Japan in 1968 and Korea Republic at the 2012 Games.

The-AFC.com takes an in depth look at the head coaches who will be charting the challenges of Iraq, Japan and Uzbekistan.