Jasim: I love playing for Iraq

Fri, 03 May, 2024

Jasim: I love playing for Iraq

Doha: First, he fired them to the FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023. Then on Thursday, Ali Jasim emerged as the hero once again for Iraq by grabbing the winning goal against Indonesia to send them to the Olympic Games.

The 20-year-old struck in the sixth minute of extra time to seal a 2-1 win in the third-place playoff of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™, which secured the third and final automatic qualifying slot to Paris and a sixth appearance for the West Asians.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_|_3rd_place_playoff_-_iraq_2_-_1_indonesia.html

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Decisive Jasim sends Iraq to Paris

Fri, 03 May, 2024

Decisive Jasim sends Iraq to Paris

Doha: Eight years after their last appearance, Iraq are bound for the Olympic Games again after securing their sixth qualification on Thursday night.

Having stumbled at the semi-final stage three days ago, the West Asians grabbed their second chance by overcoming Indonesia 2-1 in extra time of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ third-place playoff to take the final automatic qualifying slot to Paris 2024.
 
Ali Jasim sparked wild celebrations at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium with a clinical finish in the 96th minute to complete Iraq’s comeback and break Indonesia’s hearts in front of a partisan crowd with the West Asians joining Japan and Uzbekistan at the Olympics.

Preview - Final: Japan v Uzbekistan

Fri, 03 May, 2024

Preview - Final: Japan v Uzbekistan

Doha: Uzbekistan head coach Timur Kapadze brushed aside the loss of Abdukodir Khusanov, Hojimat Erkinov and Abbosbek Fayzullaev from his squad for Friday’s AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ final with Japan at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, confident he has enough depth to compensate for their absence.

The trio rejoined their clubs earlier this week after Uzbekistan secured their first-ever qualification for the Olympic Games with their semi-final victory over Indonesia, but Kapadze believes his team can still succeed despite their departure.

Fujita: Japan ready for tough final

Thu, 02 May, 2024

Fujita: Japan ready for tough final

Doha: Having suffered defeat in both their previous encounters with Uzbekistan in the AFC U23 Asian Cup™, Japan captain Joel Chima Fujita is hoping that it will be third time lucky for them on Friday.

Uzbekistan ran out 4-0 winners in the quarter-finals in 2018 and recorded a 2-0 semi-final triumph in 2022, with both teams to reprise rivalries in the Qatar 2024 final where victory for either side will make them the first two-time champions. 

Uzbekistan’s Jaloliddinov confident of good showing

Thu, 02 May, 2024

Uzbekistan’s Jaloliddinov confident of good showing

Doha: Two years ago at the AFC U23 Asian Cup™, Uzbekistan defeated Japan en route to making the final before eventually finishing as the runners-up to Saudi Arabia. 

On Friday, the Central Asians will have the opportunity to make amends when they contest their third final - only Saudi Arabia have reached as many - against Japan, whom they also beat in their 2018-winning campaign.

Know The Coach - Go Oiwa (Japan)

Wed, 01 May, 2024

Know The Coach - Go Oiwa (Japan)

Doha: Go Oiwa has achieved much success since retiring as a player in 2010 and moving into coaching, with the Japanese tactician aiming to add the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ title to his list of achievements.

Having suffered a premature exit two years ago, Oiwa will lead his Young Samurai Blue squad to face Uzbekistan in a mouth-watering AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ final at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Friday.
 
Oiwa’s side were shown the door by Uzbekistan in the semi-finals of the 2022 edition but Doha has fond memories for the Japanese as this was where they won their only AFc U23 Asian Cup title in 2016.

Know The Coach - Timur Kapadze (Uzbekistan)

Wed, 01 May, 2024

Know The Coach - Timur Kapadze (Uzbekistan)

Doha: It’s not often that football presents a second chance but for Timur Kapadze, the opportunity has arisen for him to finally lay his hand on the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ trophy.

Two years ago, the 42-year-old led Uzbekistan to the final on home soil, only to be denied the title by Saudi Arabia and Kapadze will seek to make amends when his side face Japan in Friday’s AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ final at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. 
 
The former midfielder has already etched his name in the annals of Uzbekistan history after guiding them to Olympics qualification but Kapadze is determined to emulate Ravshan Khaydarov, who led the Central Asian side to the AFC U23 Asian Cup title in 2018.

#AFCCup: Al Ahed FC - Road to the Final

Thu, 02 May, 2024

#AFCCup: Al Ahed FC - Road to the Final

Muscat: Twenty years since it started, the AFC Cup™ reaches its end point with Lebanon’s Al Ahed competing against Australia’s Central Coast Mariners in the final of the 2023/24 edition, the last before it makes way for the AFC's new club competitions structure.

While this is the maiden appearance for the Australian side, very few teams have been as ever-present as Al Ahed, who appeared in the AFC Cup 12 times. The current iteration of the team had a rollercoaster ride of a season, taking them to the final. The-AFC.com relives the journey of the team from Beirut to Sunday’s final.

#AFCCup: Central Coast Mariners - Road to the Final

Wed, 01 May, 2024

#AFCCup: Central Coast Mariners - Road to the Final

Muscat: After becoming the first-ever club from Australia to reach the final of the AFC Cup™, Central Coast Mariners will aim to go one step further when they take on Lebanon’s Al Ahed FC in an eagerly-awaited title clash on Sunday.

With a new three-tier system featuring the AFC Champions League Elite, the AFC Champions League 2 and the AFC Challenge League to be introduced from the 2024/25 season, both Al Ahed and Central Coast will be eager to bring the curtains down on the two-decade-old competition by emerging as its last-ever champion.
 
With excitement growing ahead of the title showdown at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, join the-AFC.com as we look back at Central Coast’s memorable journey to the AFC Cup 2023/24 final.

Six teams to contest Qualifiers Playoff for Saudi Arabia 2027

Tue, 30 Apr, 2024

Six teams to contest Qualifiers Playoff for Saudi Arabia 2027

Kuala Lumpur: Three prized slots in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round are on offer via Playoffs with the official draw on May 9, 2024, set to chart the path forward for six teams.

Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Macau, Mongolia, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste will be paired in a matchup of the six lowest-ranked losing teams from the FIFA World Cup 2026 – Preliminary Competition and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 with home and away encounters scheduled for September 5 (first leg) and September 10 (second leg).