This is the best goal of my career, says Iraq’s Jasim

Sun, 12 Mar, 2023

This is the best goal of my career, says Iraq’s Jasim

Tashkent: Iraq winger Ali Jasim described his winning goal in added time of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 quarter-finals against Islamic Republic of Iran on Saturday as the highlight of his career so far.

With the two sides locked in a stalemate and the game at JAR Stadium looking destined for extra time, Jasim received the ball 30 yards from goal and dribbled his way into the Iranian 18-yard-box before applying the finish into the bottom corner to send his country into the FIFA U20 World Cup Indonesia 2023.
 
The young Lions of Mesopotamia’s triumph over their arch-rivals booked them a spot in the competition’s semi-final where they await the winners between Japan and Jordan.

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Mohammed revels in repeating Iraq success

Sun, 12 Mar, 2023

Mohammed revels in repeating Iraq success

Tashkent: Iraq head coach Emad Mohammed compared his joy with reaching the FIFA U20 World Cup Indonesia 2023 with the feeling he experienced when achieving the same success through the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ in Islamic Republic of Iran in 2000.

As a young player, Mohammed was amongst the scorers in the penalty shootout win against Iran in the semi-finals of the 2000 edition as the young Lions of Mesopotamia reached the final, in which he bagged a brace, including a golden goal, to lead Iraq to glory at the expense of Japan.
 
The triumph in Tehran led Iraq to the FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina 2001, a feat they only managed to replicate once since then, in Turkey 2013, before Mohammed led his men to qualify to Indonesia 2023 from JAR Stadium on Saturday.

Khaydarov: Perfect plan led to Uzbekistan realising World Cup dream

Sun, 12 Mar, 2023

Khaydarov: Perfect plan led to Uzbekistan realising World Cup dream

Tashkent: Uzbekistan head coach Ravshan Khaydarov hailed his side’s qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup Indonesia 2023 as a “dream come true” after handing Australia a penalty shootout defeat at Bunyodkor on Saturday to advance to the semi-finals of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023.

Adrian Segicic’s miss in the final round of spot-kicks allowed captain Umarali Rakhmonaliev to hit the winner and earn Uzbekistan a 5-4 victory after the teams had played out a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes in front of a crowd of 33,494 fans.
 
The result means Uzbekistan will join hosts Indonesia as well as Iraq and two other qualifiers as Asia’s representatives at the FIFA U20 World Cup as the country secured a spot at the Finals for the first time since 2015.

Q-final: Jasim strikes late as Iraq edge IR Iran

Sat, 11 Mar, 2023

Q-final: Jasim strikes late as Iraq edge IR Iran

Tashkent: Iraq became the first team to book their place in the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 semi-finals with a late 1-0 victory against Islamic Republic of Iran at JAR Stadium on Saturday.

The Lions of Mesopotamia also secured the first of four tickets to the FIFA U20 World Cup Indonesia 2023, returning to the global event for the first time since 2013.

Q-final: Penalty shootout win takes Uzbekistan through

Sun, 12 Mar, 2023

Q-final: Penalty shootout win takes Uzbekistan through

Tashkent: Uzbekistan booked their place in the semi-finals of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 with a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Australia at Bunyodkor Stadium on Saturday with Ravshan Khaydarov’s side also securing a spot at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Indonesia later in the year.

Adrian Segicic’s penalty in the final round thumped back off the crossbar to leave Uzbekistan captain Umarali Rakhmonaliev to roll in the winning spot-kick for the home side after the game had ended in a 1-1 draw upon the completion of 120 minutes.

Gabriel Popovic had given the Australians the lead in the 76th minute before Zafarmurod Abdirakhmatov levelled three minutes later but with neither side able to score a second the game went to penalties, from where Uzbekistan advanced.

Qualifiers Group F: Vietnam advance after draw with India 

Sat, 11 Mar, 2023

Qualifiers Group F: Vietnam advance after draw with India 

Tashkent: Vietnam advanced to the next round of the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 Qualifiers after a 1-1 draw with India in Group F of Round 1 on Saturday.

Both teams finished on seven points, with Vietnam finishing top on goal difference. 
 
Indonesia, meanwhile, ended third after a 4-0 win over Singapore.