Group D - MD2: UAE 2-0 DPR Korea

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Group D - MD2: UAE 2-0 DPR Korea

Buriram: Two first-half goals from Khalifa Al Hammadi and Zayed Al Ameri helped the United Arab Emirates cruise to a 2-0 victory over DPR Korea at Buriram Stadium on Monday, eliminating the East Asians from the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020.

Coming off the back of a defeat by Jordan in their opening game, DPR Korea needed at least a point to keep their qualification hopes alive in the Group D contest.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/khalifa_al_hammadi-uaeu23_v_dpr_korea.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/zayed_al_ameri-uaeu23_v_dpr_korea.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/uae_v_dpru23_3.html

Preview MD3 - Group A: Thailand vs Iraq

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview MD3 - Group A: Thailand vs Iraq

Bangkok: With a place in the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 quarter-finals at stake, head coach Abdulghani Shahad has called on Iraq to produce an improved performance when they face Thailand in Tuesday’s crucial Group A encounter at the Rajamangala Stadium.

After coming from behind on Matchdays One and Two to secure draws against both Australia and Bahrain, Iraq head into the encounter knowing that a win would take them through to the last eight at the expense of the hosts.

Preview MD3 - Group A: Bahrain vs Australia

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview MD3 - Group A: Bahrain vs Australia

Bangkok: Graham Arnold wants his players to go into their Group A clash with Bahrain at the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 on Tuesday mentally refreshed as they seek the draw that will take the Olyroos into the quarter-finals and keep alive hopes of a place at the Tokyo Olympics.

Arnold’s team followed up an opening round draw against Iraq with a 2-1 win over tournaments hosts Thailand and those results mean a point will be enough to secure a last eight berth for the Australians.

Alshehri wants a little more from Saudi Arabia

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Alshehri wants a little more from Saudi Arabia

Bangkok: Saudi Arabia head coach Saad Alshehri believes a lack of individual brilliance proved crucial as his side were held to a 0-0 draw by Qatar in Group B of the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 on Sunday.

Despite creating the more clear-cut opportunities in what proved to be a tight and tense encounter at the Thammasat Stadium, the Saudis failed to convert a number of second-half chances after breaching a resolute Qatar defence.

Syria's super-subs live up to Hakeem's expectations 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Syria's super-subs live up to Hakeem's expectations 

Bangkok: Ayman Hakeem hailed the influence of his substitutes as Syria handed Japan a last-gasp 2-1 defeat on Sunday that knocked the former champions out of the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 and kept alive the West Asian nation's hopes of a place in the knockout rounds.

Ala’a Aldin Dali came off the bench for the second game in a row to score a decisive goal for Hakeem’s side, netting the winner against Japan three days after scoring a late equaliser against Qatar in Syria’s opening game in Group B.

Drulovic impressed by Uzbekistan's control

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Drulovic impressed by Uzbekistan's control

Songkhla: Uzbekistan head coach Ljubinko Drulovic was left satisfied by a dominant performance after his side beat China PR 2-0 to take a significant step towards the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 quarter-finals on Sunday.

Goals to Islom Kobilov – who scored a penalty before failing to convert a second spot-kick after half time – as well as substitute Nurillo Tukhtasinov, secured a win which took Uzbekistan to four points from two matches, and left China PR with no way of reaching the last eight stage.

After being held in a competitive 1-1 draw against Islamic Republic of Iran on Matchday One, Drulovic said he was pleased with his side’s convincing display against Hao Wei’s side.

Estili: IR Iran switched off before half-time

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Estili: IR Iran switched off before half-time

Songkhla: Islamic Republic of Iran head coach Hamid Estili was left to lament a dip in his side’s first half performance, after they put their AFC U23 Championship quarter-final hopes in jeopardy with a 2-1 defeat to Korea Republic on Sunday.

Team Melli Omid created early chances, but the Koreans took full control of the first half from the 20-minute mark onwards, controlling proceedings and scoring goals through Lee Dong-jun and Cho Gue-sung to take a 2-0 half-time lead.

Reza Shekari pulled a goal back after the interval, but it was a case of too little, too late for Iran, who must now overturn a three-point deficit to second placed Uzbekistan on Matchday Three if they are to salvage a place in the knockout stage.