Oiwa hails Japan's versatility

Sun, 28 Jul, 2024

Oiwa hails Japan's versatility

Bordeaux: Japan showed a different side to their game as they emerged 1-0 victors over Mali at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 on Saturday to advance to the quarter-final stage with a match to spare.

An attacking display shown against Paraguay in the opening game was matched by a more gritty and resolute display against Mali, giving head coach Go Oiwa plenty to smile about after seeing how his charges were able to adapt to different challenges.

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Shenaishil: What matters now for Iraq is Morocco

Sun, 28 Jul, 2024

Shenaishil: What matters now for Iraq is Morocco

Paris: Radhi Shenaishil has called on his Iraq players to focus on Morocco as the West Asian side look to bounce back from their defeat to Argentina in Group B of the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 on Saturday.

Iraq found two-time gold medallists Argentina too hot to handle, suffering a 3-1 defeat after having beaten Ukraine in their opener.

With Morocco having suffered a 2-1 defeat to Ukraine, Group B is tantalisingly poised with all four teams on three points going into Tuesday's final round of matches.

It should have been different for us, says Uzbekistan’s Kapadze

Sun, 28 Jul, 2024

It should have been different for us, says Uzbekistan’s Kapadze

Nantes: Uzbekistan’s Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 campaign suffered an early end following their 1-0 defeat to Egypt on Saturday but Timur Kapadze felt it could well have been different for the Central Asian side.

The White Wolves, appearing at their debut Olympics, sit bottom of the table after two defeats with the tie against the Dominican Republic on Tuesday merely a chance to salvage some pride.

Group D: Yamamoto strike takes Japan through

Sun, 28 Jul, 2024

Group D: Yamamoto strike takes Japan through

Bordeaux: Rihito Yamamoto struck eight minutes from time as Japan survived a late penalty miss by Cheickna Doumbia to pick up a 1-0 win over Mali in Bordeaux on Saturday that ensures Go Oiwa’s side will advance to the quarter-finals of the Men's Olympics Football Tournament Paris 2024 from Group D.

Yamamoto’s close range finish came against the run of play for a Japan side that had goalkeeper Leo Kokubo to thank for keeping the African side at bay as the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ champions notched up a second victory four days after defeating Paraguay.

The win, secured when Doumbia pulled his spot-kick wide of Kokubo’s goal six minutes into injury time, means Japan’s six-point haul will be enough to take Oiwa’s team into the next round of the competition as they chase the country’s first Olympic medal since 1968.

Group C: Uzbekistan’s dream ended by Egypt

Sun, 28 Jul, 2024

Group C: Uzbekistan’s dream ended by Egypt

Nantes: Uzbekistan’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stage of the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 were dashed after they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Egypt in their Group C tie at the Stade de la Beaujoire on Saturday.

A first half strike by Ahmed Koka ultimately separated the sides as a second consecutive defeat meant Uzbekistan have no chance of advancing despite still having a match to play.

The win took Egypt to four points, two behind Spain who defeated Dominican Republic 3-1 in the group’s earlier tie on Saturday. 

Group B: Iraq undone by Argentina

Sun, 28 Jul, 2024

Group B: Iraq undone by Argentina

Lyon: Iraq suffered their first loss at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024, going down 3-1 to Argentina in their Group B tie on Saturday.

With Ukraine defeating Morocco 2-1, the group is set for a tantalising final day on Tuesday with all four teams in the running for a place in the knockout stage.

Preview - Woman’s MD2

Sat, 27 Jul, 2024

Preview - Woman’s MD2

Paris: Having endured similar outcomes in their respective opening matches at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024, both Japan and Australia need to step up their game on Matchday 2 to stay in the competition.

Japan were beaten 2-1 by Spain while Australia were handed a 3-0 defeat by Germany on Thursday with both teams also keen to improve not only the result but also their performances.