Group C: Japan denied by Spain

Fri, 26 Jul, 2024

Group C: Japan denied by Spain

Nantes: Japan put up a strong resistance but it wasn’t enough as they were defeated 2-1 by Spain in their opening Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 Group C encounter at La Beaujoire Stadium on Thursday.

It was 4-0 to Japan when the  teams met in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 but the Nadeshiko had to play second fiddle in this game and now face a real fight to reach the next round of the competition.

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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.

Jasim signs for Como, Diaby joins Al Ittihad

Thu, 25 Jul, 2024

Jasim signs for Como, Diaby joins Al Ittihad

Paris: Young Iraqi sensation Ali Jasim will make his return to European football after Como confirmed the capture of the forward in a statement released on Wednesday.

Having previously played for Antalyaspor in the Turkish League in 2023, Jasim made a quick return to Iraq to join Al Kahrabaa SC before being loaned out to Air Force Club but his phenomenal displays have earned him the opportunity to feature in the Italian Serie A.

Jasim was prolific with Air Force Club, netting four in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24, then won the Top Goalscorer award at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ before scoring Iraq’s winner in their Paris Olympics 2024 match against Ukraine on Wednesday.