Uzbekistan live up to Drulovic's expectations

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Uzbekistan live up to Drulovic's expectations

Bangkok: Ljubinko Drulovic’s faith in his players was rewarded on Sunday as Uzbekistan fought back from going a goal down to defeat the United Arab Emirates 5-1 to advance to the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020.

Zayed Abdulla Alameri put the UAE ahead in the 13th minute after Uzbek goalkeeper Abduvakhid Nematov had already been forced to deny Khalfan Hassan Alhammadi with less than two minutes on the clock, but the defending champions rallied to record an emphatic win that sets up a semi-final meeting with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_-_q-final_uae_1-5_uzbekistan.html

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Q-finals: Uzbekistan power into semi-finals

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Q-finals: Uzbekistan power into semi-finals

Bangkok: Defending champions Uzbekistan bounced back from going a goal behind to hand the United Arab Emirates a 5-1 defeat at Rajamangala Stadium on Sunday to book their place in the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020.

Zayed Abdulla Alameri put the Emiratis in front in the 13th minute but goals from Ilkhomjon Alijanov, Islomjon Kobilov and Oybek Bozorov gave Uzbekistan a 3-1 lead at half time before Jasurbek Yakshiboev and Nurillo Tukhtasinov completed the win in the dying minutes of the match.

Skorza: Fatigue, lack of preparation caused UAE's defeat

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Skorza: Fatigue, lack of preparation caused UAE's defeat

Bangkok: Maciej Skorza was crestfallen after seeing his United Arab Emirates side handed a 5-1 defeat in the quarter-finals of the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 on Sunday by Uzbekistan as the West Asian nation’s hopes of a place at the Tokyo Olympic Games came crashing down.

Zayed Abdulla Alameri had given UAE the lead 13 minutes into the game as Skorza’s side made a rapid start to proceedings, but a resolute Uzbekistan battled back to take the win in emphatic fashion and leave their opponents shattered at the end.

Kim delighted after substitute sensation Lee sends Korea Republic through

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Kim delighted after substitute sensation Lee sends Korea Republic through

Bangkok: Head coach Kim Hak-bum has revealed that a pre-empted use of substitutes played a decisive role in Korea Republic's dramatic 2-1 AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 quarter-final win over Jordan on Sunday.

After being introduced to the action at half-time, Lee Dong-gyeong stroked home a late free-kick to win the game for the East Asians who had been forced to hold off a late Jordanian rally.

With a last four encounter against Australia now awaiting Korea Republic, Kim declared that he had always intended to turn to his bench as the game progressed.

Ismail hails 'brave' Jordan players after late heartbreak

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Ismail hails 'brave' Jordan players after late heartbreak

Bangkok: Jordan head coach Ahmed Abu Ismail has hailed his players’ bravery after a last gasp Korea Republic goal condemned them to a 2-1 defeat in Sunday’s enthralling AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 quarter-final tie.

Trailing to Cho Gue-sung’s first-half effort, the Jordanians rallied superbly after the break and drew level with 15 minutes of the game remaining courtesy of substitute Yazan Al Naimat’s neat finish.

However, with extra-time beckoning. Lee Dong-gyeong fired home a free-kick to break Jordanian hearts and seal the win for a distinctly relieved Korea Republic.

Defensive resilience key to Saudi Arabia's success, says Al Shehri

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Defensive resilience key to Saudi Arabia's success, says Al Shehri

Bangkok: Saad Al Shehri praised his team’s defensive resilience after Saudi Arabia handed hosts Thailand a 1-0 defeat to advance to the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 on Saturday, keeping the country’s hopes of the title and a first Olympic appearance in more than two decades alive.

Abdullah Al Hamdan’s late penalty took Saudi Arabia into the semi-finals to leave them one win away from securing a place at the Olympic tournament for the first time since 1996, but it was the performance of the rearguard that Al Shehri preferred to highlight.

Australia's versatility impresses Arnold

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Australia's versatility impresses Arnold

Bangkok: Australia head coach Graham Arnold hailed his players for their ability to adapt to tactical changes in their AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 quarter-final win against Syria on Saturday.

Regulation time failed to break the deadlock and it took a moment of magic from substitute Al Hassan Toure in the 102nd minute for the Olyroos to claim a 1-0 victory to advance to their first AFC U23 Championship semi-finals.

Arnold, who also manages the Socceroos, acknowledged the difficulty his side faced and revealed he was forced to make several strategic adjustments through the 120 minutes and praised his players for their ability to adapt.