Group A: Indonesia 1-0 Australia

Fri, 19 Apr, 2024

Group A: Indonesia 1-0 Australia

Doha: Komang Teguh’s first half header earned tournament debutants Indonesia a 1-0 win over Australia at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Group A on Thursday to reignite his nation's challenge for a place in the quarter-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™.

Ernando Ari Sutaryadi saved Mohamed Toure’s 25th minute penalty before Komang’s close range header 20 minutes later allowed Shin Tae-yong’s team to pick up their first win of the campaign after an opening 2-0 loss against hosts Qatar on Monday.
 
The result leaves Australia on one point from two games having drawn with Jordan in their first match of the competition and Tony Vidmar’s side needs to win against the Qataris in the final round of group matches on Sunday to have any chance of progressing.

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Preview - Group B: UAE v Japan

Fri, 19 Apr, 2024

Preview - Group B: UAE v Japan

Doha: Japan coach Go Oiwa will be without suspended defender Ryuya Nishio as the former champions look to move a step closer to the quarter-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ when they take on the United Arab Emirates at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Friday.

The Japanese squeezed past China PR with a 1-0 win over their East Asian neighbours in their Group B opener on Tuesday, with Kuryu Matsuki’s early goal enough to pick up the points despite playing much of the game with 10 men.

Cerezo Osaka centre-half Nishio was sent off in the 17th minute and will miss the game against the UAE as a result, with Seiji Kimura likely to deputise at the heart of the defence alongside Kawasaki Frontale’s Kota Takai, who impressed in the win over the Chinese.

Preview - Group B: China PR v Korea Republic

Fri, 19 Apr, 2024

Preview - Group B: China PR v Korea Republic

Doha: Korea Republic will be aiming to secure their place in the last eight of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ on Friday when they face China PR in their second Group B fixture.

The 2020 champions head into the early kick-off at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium knowing that a second consecutive victory, following their opening 1-0 win against the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday at the same venue, will see likely them maintain their record as the only team to reach the knockout stage at each of the six editions of this tournament to date.

Preview - Group C: Tajikistan v Iraq

Sat, 20 Apr, 2024

Preview - Group C: Tajikistan v Iraq

Al Wakrah: Head coach Radhi Shenaishil is focused on leveraging Iraq’s extensive preparation to inspire a turnaround when they take on Tajikistan in Group C of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ on Friday. 

Despite dominating most of the match, the 2013 champions were bested 2-0 by Thailand in their opener but Shenaishil remains confident of their chances as he believes in the mental strength and unity of his squad.

Preview - Group C: Thailand v Saudi Arabia

Sat, 20 Apr, 2024

Preview - Group C: Thailand v Saudi Arabia

Doha: Saudi Arabia will not take Thailand lightly when the two sides face off in Group C of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™, with both teams seeking to continue their winning momentum.

Saad Al Shehri’s side beat Tajikistan 4-2 in their opening match on Tuesday but will be wary of the threat that Thailand pose after the Southeast Asian side began strongly by defeating Iraq 2-0.

After seeing his charges concede two avoidable goals to Tajikistan, Al Shehri will be looking to shore up his team’s defence as Saudi Arabia look to take a firm control of the group with Paris Olympics 2024 qualification on the line. 

Hoang’s half-time pep talk inspires Vietnam to victory

Thu, 18 Apr, 2024

Hoang’s half-time pep talk inspires Vietnam to victory

Doha: Head coach Hoang Anh Tuan's half-time pep talk sparked Vietnam to an impressive 3-1 win over Kuwait in their opening AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ Group D campaign on Wednesday. 

After an eventful first which saw both teams reduced to 10 men and tied 1-1, Hoang admitted he didn’t hold back during the break. 

Kapadze pleased with Uzbekistan’s winning start; Malaysia’s Garrido stays positive

Thu, 18 Apr, 2024

Kapadze pleased with Uzbekistan’s winning start; Malaysia’s Garrido stays positive

Doha: Timur Kapadze was pleased to see his Uzbekistan side pass their first test at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ following a 2-0 win over Malaysia on Wednesday.

Strikes from Jasurbek Jaloliddinov and Ulugbek Khoshimov helped the former champions take a big step towards the knockout stage with Kapadze satisfied despite Uzbekistan not firing on all cylinders. 

Al Ain's Rahimi promises more after ending Al Hilal's amazing run

Thu, 18 Apr, 2024

Al Ain's Rahimi promises more after ending Al Hilal's amazing run

Al Ain: Soufiane Rahimi promised more of the same next week after his hat-trick helped steer Al Ain to a stunning 4-2 win over Al Hilal SFC in the first leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 semi-final on Wednesday.

The Morocco striker scored all of his goals in the first half as UAE's Al Ain stopped Al Hilal's world-record breaking run at 34 wins. 

Ulsan make Hong proud; Kewell confident Marinos can bounce back

Thu, 18 Apr, 2024

Ulsan make Hong proud; Kewell confident Marinos can bounce back

Ulsan: Head coach Hong Myung-bo expressed pride after Ulsan Hyundai confirmed their spot in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 following their 1-0 win over Yokohama F. Marinos in the first leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 semi-final on Wednesday.

Although there is still work to be done if Ulsan are to stay on track for a third continental title, the slender first leg win over Marinos meant they are assured of being one of the four Asian teams who will compete in next year's expanded FIFA Club World Cup.

Japan legend Hasebe announces retirement

Thu, 18 Apr, 2024

Japan legend Hasebe announces retirement

Frankfurt: Japan’s AFC Asian Cup™-winning captain Makoto Hasebe has announced he will bring down the curtain on his illustrious career when he retires at the end of the current Bundesliga season.

The 40-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder played 114 times for Japan and led his country to the continental title in 2011 while also winning the 2007 AFC Champions League title with Urawa Red Diamonds during a career that featured almost 700 club appearances.