Fujita: Patience took Japan past China PR

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Fujita: Patience took Japan past China PR

Doha: Captain Joel Chima Fujita admitted Japan had to take a measured approach in their 1-0 win over China PR after Ryuyu Nishio’s early sending off put the young Samurai Blue at risk of defeat in their opening Group B clash in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ on Tuesday.

The St-Truiden midfielder was instrumental to the success of Go Oiwa’s side at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium alongside goal scorer Kuryu Matsuki after Nishio’s 17th minute expulsion forced the Japanese into a tactical rejig.
 
Matsuki had started the game in a more advanced role but, with central defender Nishio dismissed for lashing out at China PR’s Jia Feifan, Oiwa replaced Rihito Yamamoto with defender Seiji Kimura and the Japanese took a more conservative approach as a result.

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Group B: Japan 1-0 China PR

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Group B: Japan 1-0 China PR

Doha: Japan kicked off their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ campaign with a 1-0 win over China PR at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Group B on Tuesday despite playing most of the game with 10 men following Ryuya Nishio’s early sending off.

Kuryu Matsui gave Go Oiwa’s side an eighth minute lead only for Nishio to see red nine minutes later for violent conduct, but a stand-out performance in goal from Leo Kokubo ensured the 2016 champions started the tournament with a win.

Victory gives the Japanese the perfect start to their challenge for a second title and a place at a eighth consecutive Olympic Games in a challenging group that also features Korea Republic and the United Arab Emirates.

Group B: Korea Republic 1-0 UAE

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Group B: Korea Republic 1-0 UAE

Doha: Substitute Lee Young-jun’s header deep into added time saw Korea Republic snatch a 1-0 win over United Arab Emirates in their opening AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ Group B tie at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium on Tuesday. 

The last gasp win means Korea Republic share the Group B top spot with Japan, who defeated China PR by the same score earlier on Tuesday. 

Group C: Saudi Arabia 4-2 Tajikistan

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Group C: Saudi Arabia 4-2 Tajikistan

Doha: Saudi Arabia survived a scare before eventually running out comfortable 4-2 winners against Tajikistan in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ Group C clash at Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday.

The defending champions showcased their array of attacking talents to lead the group ahead of a meeting with Thailand on Friday, with the Southeast Asian side also on maximum points after their impressive 2-0 win over Iraq earlier in the day.

Group C: Iraq 0-2 Thailand

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Group C: Iraq 0-2 Thailand

Al Wakrah: Thailand got off to a dream start in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ after they produced a 2-0 victory against Iraq in their Group C tie at the Al Janoub Stadium on Tuesday.

A clinical performance from Ithsara Sritharo’s charges saw them net once in each half to secure a stunning result, which was also their first ever success against Iraq at U23 level having lost three of their previous six encounters to date.

Preview - Group D: Vietnam v Kuwait

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Preview - Group D: Vietnam v Kuwait

Doha: Vietnam and Kuwait are set for a no-holds barred clash with both teams determined to kick off their respective AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ Group D campaigns with a win at the Al Janoub Stadium on Wednesday. 

With Uzbekistan and Malaysia also in the group, a win for either side will give them an early advantage in the race for a quarter-final spot with the tournament also serving as the qualifier for the Paris Olympic Games.

Preview - Group D: Uzbekistan v Malaysia

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Preview - Group D: Uzbekistan v Malaysia

Doha: Uzbekistan intend to signal their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ title aspirations when they take on Malaysia in their opening Group D match at Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday.

Head coach Timur Kapadze said an opening win will put his team in good stead as they look to repeat their 2018 title-winning feat and seal a spot in the Paris Olympics 2024.

#ACFutsal2024 - Preview: Groups A & B

Tue, 16 Apr, 2024

#ACFutsal2024 - Preview: Groups A & B

Bangkok: Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar and China PR are primed for Group A of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024 to begin on Wednesday.

Vietnam and Myanmar will kick off the action at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium, before hosts Thailand take centre stage against China PR.

Meanwhile, Group B is intriguingly poised with Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Australia joining upcoming 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup hosts Uzbekistan.

Al Hallak strike gives Al Ahed edge over Al Nahda

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Al Hallak strike gives Al Ahed edge over Al Nahda

Karbala: Lebanon’s Al Ahed took a valuable advantage in the AFC Cup 2023/24™ West Zonal Final beating Oman’s Al Nahda 1-0 in the first leg of the tie at Karbala International Stadium on Tuesday.

Champions in 2019, Al Ahed will look to defend their lead when the two teams face-off again in a week’s time in Oman with the aggregate winners facing one of the Inter-Zone finalists, Central Coast Mariners and Abdysh-Ata Kant in the AFC Cup final.

Preview - East Semi-final (1st Leg): Ulsan Hyundai FC (Kor) v Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024

Preview - East Semi-final (1st Leg): Ulsan Hyundai FC (Kor) v Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Ulsan: Ulsan Hyundai FC will tread with caution when they host Yokohama F. Marinos in the first leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 East semi-final on Wednesday.

Korea Republic's Ulsan are seeking a third title while Japan's Marinos are appearing in the semi-finals for the first time.