Saudi Arabia exit 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup, fail to reach Paris Olympics 

Saudi arabia are out of the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup after a 2-0 loss to Uzbekistan. (X/@SaudiNT)
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Updated 26 April 2024
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Saudi Arabia exit 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup, fail to reach Paris Olympics 

  • A 2-0 defeat to Uzbekistan saw Saad Al-Shehri’s team depart at the quarterfinal stage of competition they won in 2022

DOHA: Saudi Arabia exited the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup on Friday after a 2-0 loss to Uzbekistan at Khalifa International Stadium in Al-Rayyan.

The defeat means that the Green Falcons, winners of the the last edition of the tournament in 2022, cannot reach the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris — a bitter blow for coach Saad Al-Shehri who had led the team to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

For Uzbekistan, the win brings a small measure of revenge having lost the last AFC U-23 Asian Cup final 2-0 to Saudi Arabia in Tashkent two years ago.

Uzbekistan took the lead through Khusayin Norchaev two minutes into first-half stoppage time, and Saudi Arabia’s task became harder when Ayman Yahya was sent off on 70 minutes.

Saudi’s 10 men could not find an equalizer, and Uzbekistan put the game to bed thanks to Umarali Rakhmonaliev’s goal on 84 minutes.

In Monday’s first semifinal at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Uzbekistan will face Indonesia, who beat South Korea 11-10 on penalties after their quarterfinal ended in a 2-2 draw.

In the other semifinal, Japan, who beat hosts Qatar 4-2 after extra time, will await the winner of the last-eight clash between Iraq and Vietnam.


Pitching masterclass leads Mid East Falcons to series-saving win over Mumbai Cobras

Updated 14 December 2025
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Pitching masterclass leads Mid East Falcons to series-saving win over Mumbai Cobras

  • Abu Dhabi and India franchises will meet on Sunday night in Baseball United Season 1 championship-decider

DUBAI: Kazuki Yabuta struck out eight and allowed only four hits and one run in 6.1 innings, and Haru Yoshioka had a perfect 2.2 relief with seven strikeouts, including a Fire Ball strikeout to end the game, to give Mid East Falcons a 5-1 win over Mumbai Cobras and tie the United Series (1-1).

Gregori Cano went 2-for-3, with a solo home run in the third inning, and Munenori Kawasaki went 2-for-4 with one run scored and a one-run double that represented the beginning of Mid East’s four-run attack in the eighth inning.

Jake Hjelle went 1-for-3 with an RBI, which was the Falcons’ third run of the game. The other two runs came on consecutive walks with the Money Ball in play, resulting in two RBIs for Federico Celli.

On Sunday, Dec. 14, the third and final game of the United Series will take place at Baseball United Ballpark.

In other highlights, Chase Gearing took the loss after 3.1 innings of relief work, in which he allowed four hits, three earned runs, and two strikeouts.

Raul Shah went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, as the standout man in the Cobras offense.
Lord de Vera and Lou Helmig left three and two men on base, respectively, for a total of five at key moments in the game.