Uzbekistan and Japan to contest 2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup final

Japan beat Iraq, the last Arabian team standing, 2-0 with goals from Mao Hosoya and Ryataro Araki. (File/AFC website)
Short Url
Updated 30 April 2024
Follow

Uzbekistan and Japan to contest 2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup final

  • Semifinal wins mean both nations progress to the Olympic Games in Paris this summer
  • Winner of third place playoff between Iraq and Indonesia will also qualify for Paris 2024

DOHA: Uzbekistan and Japan will face each other in the final of the 2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup after beating Indonesia and Iraq in their respective semifinals in Qatar on Monday.

The results mean both countries also qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris this summer. Indonesia and Iraq will contest third place, with the winner also booking their spot at the Games. The loser will have a final chance to qualify in a game against an African federation team.

In the first semifinal at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Uzbekistan took the lead after 68 minutes, thanks to Khusayin Norchaev. Their victory was sealed by an own goal by Pratama Arhan in the 86th minute.

Later in the evening at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Al-Rayyan, Japan beat Iraq — the last Arabian team standing — 2-0 with goals from Mao Hosoya (28 minutes) and Ryataro Araki (42).

The current holders of the trophy, Saudi Arabia, exited the competition at the quarterfinal stage following a 2-0 loss to Uzbekistan.

The final between Uzbekistan and Japan is set to take place on Friday at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.


Southampton’s stunning fightback leaves Leicester in turmoil

Updated 9 sec ago
Follow

Southampton’s stunning fightback leaves Leicester in turmoil

LONDON: Southampton made an incredible late comeback from three goals down to beat crisis club Leicester 4-3 in the Championship on Tuesday.
Leicester interim manager Andy King looked set for his first victory since taking charge after first-half goals from Divine Mukasa, Patson Daka and Abdul Fatawu at the King Power Stadium.
But Southampton substitute Ross Stewart reduced the deficit in the 61st minute to spark the astonishing revival.
Leicester’s brittle confidence was exposed as Jack Stephens netted in the 82nd minute and Ryan Manning equalized five minutes later.
Shea Charles struck six minutes into stoppage time to snatch the points for Southampton in dramatic fashion, leaving King’s shell-shocked side without a win in six games.
Seven years after thrashing Southampton 9-0 at St. Mary’s, Leicester hit a devastating low of their own against the Saints.
Still searching for a permanent manager following Marti Cifuentes’ sacking, Leicester are outside the relegation zone only on goal difference.
The Foxes were recently deducted six points by the Football League for breaches of financial regulations.
Birmingham missed the chance to move into the play-off places after they were held to a 0-0 draw by West Bromwich Albion at St. Andrew’s.
New West Brom boss Eric Ramsay remains winless but claimed a second successive draw to help his side move two points above the relegation zone.
Mohamed Toure hit a hat-trick as Norwich made it five wins from their last six matches with a 3-0 victory at second-bottom Oxford.