Preview - QF: Uzbekistan v Australia

Sat, 11 Mar, 2023

Preview - QF: Uzbekistan v Australia

Tashkent: Uzbekistan head coach Ravshan Khaydarov will not allow the quality of his side’s Australian opponents to influence his tactical decisions as he prepares for Saturday’s AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 quarter-final against the Young Socceroos at Bunyodkor Stadium.

The Australians were ruthless in advancing to the last eight, defeating Qatar 9-1 in their final Group B game to take the runners-up spot behind Islamic Republic of Iran while Uzbekistan finished on top of Group A, concluding their opening round commitments with a 0-0 draw against Indonesia.
 
Those results have set the pair up to go head-to-head, with not only a place in the semi-finals at stake but also one of Asia’s four berths at the FIFA U20 World Cup  Indonesia 2023 in May and June on the line.

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Preview - QF: IR Iran v Iraq

Sat, 11 Mar, 2023

Preview - QF: IR Iran v Iraq

Tashkent: Iraq head coach Emad Mohammed and his Iranian counterpart Abdolsamad Marfavi spoke of mutual respect for the footballing traditions of each other’s nations, ahead of the two teams’ encounter in the quarter-finals of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 at JAR Stadium on Saturday.

The two West Asian neighbours had faced in the semi-finals of the 2000 edition in Tehran with current Iraq boss Mohammed converting from the spot in a 7-6 win for the Lions of Mesopotamia after the game ended goalless. Mohammed then went on to score a brace in the final against Japan to guide his nation to the title.
 
The former forward, capped 103 times for his team, also spent six years of his career in the Iranian Pro League, helping Sepahan reach the 2007 AFC Champions League final. These experiences gave Mohammed a certain respect to his Saturday opponents.

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.  

Uzbekistan primed for knockout stage, says Khaydarov

Wed, 08 Mar, 2023

Uzbekistan primed for knockout stage, says Khaydarov

Fergana: Head coach Ravshan Khaydarov is looking forward to Uzbekistan’s knockout stage challenge after concluding their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 Group A campaign with a goalless draw against Indonesia on Tuesday.

Despite the stalemate at the Istiqlol Stadium, Uzbekistan finished as group winners, while Iraq - who drew 1-1 against Syria - finished second ahead of Indonesia with Syria bottom.

Morgan: Momentum starting to lift Australia

Wed, 08 Mar, 2023

Morgan: Momentum starting to lift Australia

Tashkent: Australia head coach Trevor Morgan believes “the momentum is building” for his Young Socceroos in their quest for the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 title as they handed Qatar a 9-1 defeat to confirm their place in the quarter-finals.

Morgan’s side will face hosts Uzbekistan in the last eight on Saturday at Bunyodkor Stadium after a comprehensive win over the West Asian side secured second place in Group B for the Australians.
 
But while they eventually eased to a comfortable victory, it was Qatar who took an early lead when Moustafa Asar pounced on a defensive mistake to open the scoring inside two minutes.
 
It was the second time in three games that the Australians had conceded an early goal, having done so in their opening 1-0 loss against Vietnam in Fergana earlier in the tournament, but Morgan had been confident his team would find a way back into the game.

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.

Teamwork has been the key to Korea Republic's success, says Joon-hong

Fri, 10 Mar, 2023

Teamwork has been the key to Korea Republic's success, says Joon-hong

Tashkent: The goalless draw against Tajikistan at the Bunyodkor Stadium on Wednesday marked the third successive match where goalkeeper Kim Joon-hong stood tall as Korea Republic advanced to the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 quarter-finals without conceding a goal.

The final Group C match saw head coach Kim Eun-jung make significant changes to the line-up with no significant impact on the defence, leading Joon-hong to highlight Korea Republic’s awesome depth.