Quarter-finals set to be a blockbuster

Thu, 09 Mar, 2023

Quarter-finals set to be a blockbuster

Tashkent: The AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 quarter-final cast was finalised following the conclusion of Group D on Thursday.

Five former champions - China PR, Japan, Korea Republic, Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq - together with Australia, Jordan and hosts Uzbekistan advanced after a pulsating group stage.

Group D: China PR advance despite stalemate with Kyrgyz Republic

Fri, 10 Mar, 2023

Group D: China PR advance despite stalemate with Kyrgyz Republic

Tashkent: China PR will face Korea Republic in the quarter-finals of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 on Sunday after Antonio Puche’s side held on to record a 1-1 draw with Kyrgyz Republic at JAR Stadium to secure a runners-up finish in Group D.

Mirlan Bekberdinov’s own goal 13 minutes into the second half handed the Chinese the lead but Biimyrza Zhenishbekov’s late strike and a string of fine saves from Li Hao took the East Asians into the knockout rounds of the competition for the first time since 2014.

China took second place in the group behind Japan, whose 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia meant the Chinese advanced at the expense of the defending champions and will take on the Koreans at JAR Stadium in three days’ time.

Group D: Japan stay perfect, Saudi Arabia's hopes dashed

Fri, 10 Mar, 2023

Group D: Japan stay perfect, Saudi Arabia's hopes dashed

Tashkent: A Kuryu Matsuki brace helped Japan seal the top spot in Group D of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 with a 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia at Lokomotiv Stadium on Thursday.

The Samurai Blue became the only team in the tournament to end the group stage with the full nine points, setting up a quarter-final clash against Group C runners-up Jordan for a place at the FIFA U20 World Cup Indonesia 2023.
 
The other Matchday Three game in the group saw China PR play out a 1-1 draw with Kyrgyz Republic at JAR Stadium, meaning Team Dragon join Japan in the next round, while defending champions Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyz Republic were eliminated. China PR face Group C winners Korea Republic in the next round.

Kim bullish of Korea Republic's chances

Thu, 09 Mar, 2023

Kim bullish of Korea Republic's chances

Tashkent: Korea Republic will go into the quarter-finals of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 in bullish mood after head coach Kim Eun-jung saw his side notch up another clean sheet in their 0-0 draw with Tajikistan at Bunyodkor Stadium on Wednesday.

The result ensured the Koreans topped Group C and they will face the runners-up in Group D in the last eight, with the winners not only advancing to the semi-finals but also securing a berth at this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup Finals in Indonesia.

 Kim’s team have yet to concede a goal in their three matches so far in Uzbekistan and the former striker was pleased with his squad’s group stage record. 

Jordan’s game of two halves delivered the result, says Al Diabat

Thu, 09 Mar, 2023

Jordan’s game of two halves delivered the result, says Al Diabat

Tashkent: Jordan head coach Islam Al Diabat explained the approach his side employed to book their place in the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 quarter-finals after securing a goalless draw against Oman on Wednesday.

The result at Lokomotiv Stadium, coupled with Korea Republic’s 0-0 draw with Tajikistan in the other match, ensured Jordan progressed to the next round, sending them to within one match of reaching the FIFA U20 World Cup Indonesia 2023.
 
The Jordanians created several chances in the first half, but turned more conservative as the game wore on, eventually being made to wait a few minutes to celebrate their qualification as the final whistle at Bunyodkor Stadium confirmed a second-place finish for the West Asian side.

Abdulkareem determined to keep powering Iraq

Thu, 09 Mar, 2023

Abdulkareem determined to keep powering Iraq

Tashkent: Victory may have eluded Iraq in their final AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 Group A match but that did little to prick Hayder Abdulkareem’s enthusiasm. 

Abdulkareem had given Iraq the lead, only for Syria to strike in the final seconds to force a draw which, however, did not stop the young Lions of Mesopotamia from advancing to a quarter-final against Islamic Republic of Iran on Saturday. 
 
It may well have ended differently had Abdulkareem not scored earlier, having also found the net in the win against Indonesia and the player can’t wait to lock horns with Iran, with the winners to confirm their place in the FIFA U20 World Cup Indonesia.