Vidmar optimistic despite Australia's early exit

Mon, 22 Apr, 2024

Vidmar optimistic despite Australia's early exit

Doha: Tony Vidmar does not believe Australia’s early exit from the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ and failure to qualify for this summer’s Olympic Games will have a negative impact on the country’s long-term prospects at senior level.

The Olyroos were eliminated on Sunday as Vidmar’s side were unable to score for the third game in a row, a 0-0 draw with Qatar at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium confirming Australia’s exit with a third place finish in Group A behind the hosts and Indonesia.

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Group A: Qatar stalemate dashes Australia's hopes

Mon, 22 Apr, 2024

Group A: Qatar stalemate dashes Australia's hopes

Doha: Australia exited the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ on Sunday with Tony Vidmar’s side failing once again to find the back of the net as the Olyroos shared a 0-0 draw with group winners Qatar to limp out of the tournament and miss out on a place at the Olympic Games.

The Australians had arrived in Doha targeting a second consecutive Olympic qualification after appearing in Tokyo three years ago, but one point from their opening Group A games against Jordan and Indonesia left their hopes hanging by the finest of threads.
 
Needing to win and hope Jordan defeated Indonesia, the result at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium was academic with Indonesia’s 4-1 win ensuring Vidmar’s team could not progress even if a first victory of the competition had been secured.

Group A: Indonesia's adventure continues

Mon, 22 Apr, 2024

Group A: Indonesia's adventure continues

Doha: A standout performance from Marselino Ferdinan helped Indonesia march into the knockout stage of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ on Sunday after a superb 4-1 victory against Jordan at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.

Having already collected their first ever win three days ago against Australia, the tournament debutants ensured that their dream run would continue in the quarter-finals by sealing progress from Group A in second place behind Qatar.

Preview - Group B: Japan v Korea Republic

Mon, 22 Apr, 2024

Preview - Group B: Japan v Korea Republic

Doha: Korea Republic head coach Hwang Sun-hong will take his team into their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ clash with rivals Japan on Monday wary of the attacking talents of Go Oiwa’s side as the pair battle for top spot in Group B.

A 2-0 victory over China PR for the Koreans and a win by the same scoreline over the United Arab Emirates by the Japanese mean the pair have already secured their places in the knockout rounds, with only the finishing order in the group to be determined.

Preview - Group B: UAE v China PR

Mon, 22 Apr, 2024

Preview - Group B: UAE v China PR

Doha: Both the United Arab Emirates and China PR will continue their quest for goals and points when they square off on Monday at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™.

Having each lost their first two matches in Group B to Japan and Korea Republic, neither side will be able to advance to the next stage and have only pride to play for at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.

Preview - Group C: Saudi Arabia v Iraq

Mon, 22 Apr, 2024

Preview - Group C: Saudi Arabia v Iraq

Doha: Saudi Arabia are gunning to finish their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ Group C challenge with a perfect record when they play Iraq at Khalifa International Stadium on Monday.

Six points from their earlier two matches mean Saudi Arabia should progress to the quarter-finals but head coach Saad Al Shehri wants the defending champions to maintain the momentum that saw them scoring nine goals past Tajikistan and Thailand.
 
Finishing top will mean a quarter-final against the Group D runners-up but Saudi Arabia will face Iraq without the services of suspended midfielder Eid Al Muwallad and right-back Mohammed Waheeb.

Preview - Group C: Thailand v Tajikistan

Mon, 22 Apr, 2024

Preview - Group C: Thailand v Tajikistan

Doha: Head coach Ithsara Sritharo is committed to steering Thailand back to their strengths when they face Tajikistan in their decisive AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ Group C tie on Monday.

Following their 5-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia on Friday, Thailand find themselves tied on three points with Iraq, who bounced back into knockout stage contention after beating Tajikistan 4-2. 
 
That means Thailand - if they want to advance to the quarter-finals for just the second time in history - must clinch all three points at the Al Janoub Stadium. 

Kapadze challenges Uzbekistan to keep improving

Sun, 21 Apr, 2024

Kapadze challenges Uzbekistan to keep improving

Al Wakrah: Head coach Timur Kapadze challenged his Uzbekistan side to keep improving after they booked their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ quarter-final spot with an impressive 5-0 win over Kuwait on Saturday.

The victory assured the 2018 champions of a top two finish with their tie against Vietnam on Tuesday to decide the Group D winners. 

Hoang’s tactical switch does the job for Vietnam

Sun, 21 Apr, 2024

Hoang’s tactical switch does the job for Vietnam

Doha: Head coach Hoang Anh Tuan said a tactical switch in the second half enabled Vietnam to clinch the three points against Malaysia in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ tie on Saturday.

The 2-0 success, coupled with Uzbekistan’s 5-0 win over Kuwait later in the day, confirmed Vietnam a top two finish in Group D and a place in the quarter-finals.