Pressure-free China PR ready to shine, says Yang

Sat, 11 Mar, 2023

Pressure-free China PR ready to shine, says Yang

Tashkent: China PR defender Yang Minjie believes he and his teammates will go into their quarter-final clash with Korea Republic at the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 with the freedom to perform having already exceeded expectations by progressing beyond the group phase.

The Chinese are appearing in the knockout rounds for the first time since 2014 after a 1-1 draw with Krygyz Republic in their final Group D game took Antonio Puche’s side into the quarter-finals, and one step from a first FIFA U20 World Cup qualification since 2005.

But, even though there is a place at this year’s edition of the FIFA U20 World Cup in Indonesia on the line when the game kicks off at JAR Stadium on Sunday, Yang says there will be no pressure on the Chinese.

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Vote for Your Best Goal of the Group Stage!

Fri, 10 Mar, 2023

Vote for Your Best Goal of the Group Stage!

Tashkent: Eight teams remain in the hunt for the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 title after the group stage came to a close on Thursday on the back of nine high-octane days of drama.

A total of 55 goals rained in over the 24 matches in Tashkent and Fergana with a number of fantastic efforts catching the eye. The-AFC.com has picked eight of the best and asks you, the fans, to tell us which is your favourite by voting below.

Group Stage in Numbers

Sat, 11 Mar, 2023

Group Stage in Numbers

Tashkent: The group stage of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 drew to a close on Thursday as the cast for the quarter-finals was confirmed.

Ahead of the last-eight matches taking place on Saturday and Sunday, the-AFC.com highlights some of the stats and facts that stood out during the group stage.

Japan’s Matsuki determined to lead from the front

Sat, 11 Mar, 2023

Japan’s Matsuki determined to lead from the front

Tashkent: Japan were the only side to conclude their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 group stage campaign with a perfect record of three wins with Kuryu Matsuki playing a prominent role.

Matsuki, who had been critical of his performance in the earlier Group D matches against China PR and Kyrgyz Republic, was at his best against defending champions Saudi Arabia as his brace secured a 2-1 win on Thursday and a quarter-final against Jordan on Sunday.

Togashi praises Japan players' self-motivation after beating Saudi Arabia

Fri, 10 Mar, 2023

Togashi praises Japan players' self-motivation after beating Saudi Arabia

Tashkent: Japan head coach Koichi Togashi believes his players' self-motivation was crucial to their 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia which helped them seal the top spot in Group D of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 on Thursday.

With six points to their name already, the Samurai Blue looked to avoid complacency as they took on the defending champions in the last game, and a double from Kuryu Matsuki either side of a Yazeed Jawshan header for Saudi Arabia was enough to get them the victory.

Japan take on Jordan next for a place in the FIFA U20 World Cup Indonesia 2023, while Saudi Arabia finished third and are eliminated.

China PR's Puche sets sights on semis

Fri, 10 Mar, 2023

China PR's Puche sets sights on semis

Tashkent: China PR coach Antonio Puche was euphoric as his side booked a place in the quarter-finals of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 as a 1-1 draw with Kyrgyz Republic on Thursday sealed the nation a spot in the knockout rounds for the first time in almost a decade.

The Chinese will meet East Asian rivals Korea Republic on Sunday at JAR Stadium with a place at the FIFA U20 World Cup Finals in Indonesia in May and June at stake, and the Spaniard could not have been more delighted.