Oiwa: Japan yet to complete mission

Tue, 30 Apr, 2024

Oiwa: Japan yet to complete mission

Doha: Go Oiwa refused to rest on his laurels after steering his Japan team into the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ final on Monday as a 2-0 win over Iraq also guaranteed his nation an eighth consecutive appearance at the Olympic Games.

Japan joined Uzbekistan in securing one of the three spots at the Paris Games with a victory that was delivered by first half goals from Mao Hosoya and Ryotaro Araki, and Oiwa stressed he has already shifted his focus to Friday’s decider against Timur Kapadze’s team.

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First half goals power Japan into final

Wed, 01 May, 2024

First half goals power Japan into final

Doha: Japan will meet Uzbekistan in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ final after first half goals from Mao Hosoya and Ryotaro Araki earned Go Oiwa’s side a 2-0 win over Iraq at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Monday that also sealed the nation’s spot at the Olympic Games in Paris.

Hosoya put the 2016 champions in front in the 28th minute and Araki doubled the lead 14 minutes later during a commanding performance by Oiwa’s side, with captain Joel Fujita at the heart of a dominant display.
 
The Japanese will take on Timur Kapadze’s Uzbekistan on Friday to decide this year’s champions while Iraq will meet Indonesia 24 hours earlier to determine who will secure Asia’s third guaranteed berth at the Olympics.

Buriev: Olympic qualification a huge achievement for Uzbekistan

Tue, 30 Apr, 2024

Buriev: Olympic qualification a huge achievement for Uzbekistan

Doha: History was created on Monday in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ as Uzbekistan sealed qualification to the Olympic Games for the first time after defeating Indonesia 2-0 in the semi-finals.

The victory ensured that Uzbekistan will make their debut in Paris later this year and progress was achieved in style as the 2018 champions picked up a fifth win in as many games without conceding a single goal.

Uzbekistan beat Indonesia to keep title dream alive

Tue, 30 Apr, 2024

Uzbekistan beat Indonesia to keep title dream alive

Doha: Uzbekistan advanced to their third AFC U23 Asian Cup™ final in four editions after defeating Indonesia 2-0 in their Qatar 2024 semi-final at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Monday.

The victory also confirmed Uzbekistan's spot in the Olympics while Indonesia will have to win the third-place playoff on Thursday if they are to book a ticket to Paris 2024. 

#AFCCup - Revisited

Mon, 29 Apr, 2024

#AFCCup - Revisited

Riyadh: When Lebanon’s Al Ahed take on Australia’s Central Coast Mariners at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Sunday in the last ever AFC Cup™ final, the competition will have gone full circle in its two decades of existence.

Twenty years and three months earlier, it was another Lebanese team that kicked-off this iconic competition, and coincidentally, it was on the same famous ground in the Omani capital Muscat that Olympic Beirut then opened the 2004 edition against Syria’s Al Jaish.
 
After 19 editions and 12 different champions that could go up to 13 on Sunday, the curtain falls on the AFC Cup as the AFC club competitions enter a new era with the introduction of a three-tier system including the AFC Champions League Elite, the AFC Champions League 2 and the AFC Challenge League in 2024/25.

Vahid believes in IR Iran's chances; Rodrigo hopes to continue leading Thailand

Mon, 29 Apr, 2024

Vahid believes in IR Iran's chances; Rodrigo hopes to continue leading Thailand

Bangkok: Head coach Vahid Shamsaei believes newly minted AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024 champions Islamic Republic of Iran have the potential to go the distance at September's FIFA Futsal World Uzbekistan 2024.

Iran produced a dominant performance to defeat hosts Thailand 4-1 in the final to secure a historic 13th title at the Bangkok Arena on Sunday.

Uzbekistan’s Lopez targets improvements; Vakhidov hails Tajikistan players

Sun, 28 Apr, 2024

Uzbekistan’s Lopez targets improvements; Vakhidov hails Tajikistan players

Bangkok: Head coach Venancio Lopez will focus on improvements ahead of Uzbekistan hosting the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024 in September.

The Central Asian side needed penalties to defeat Tajikistan to finish third in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand 2024™ on Sunday with Lopez admitting they have a lot to work on before their world challenge. 

Afghanistan’s Mortezaei shifts focus to world challenge

Sun, 28 Apr, 2024

Afghanistan’s Mortezaei shifts focus to world challenge

Bangkok: Afghanistan will start preparing immediately for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 after sealing a historic appearance in the global showpiece on Sunday.

Majid Mortezaei’s side led from start to finish in their 5-3 AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 Playoff 3 win against Kyrgyz Republic at the Bangkok Arena on Sunday with the head coach saying they are determined to impress in September’s FIFA Futsal World Cup.