April 30 – Japan and Uzbekistan will contest the AFC U23 Asian Cup final at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar this Friday.
Both teams have qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The beaten semi-finalists, Indonesia and Iraq, will play off a third automatic play-off spot.
Uzbekistan beat tournament debutants Indonesia 2-0 in their semi-final, ending the Indonesians’ fairy tale run just one-stop short of the final.
Uzbekistan will be competing in their third final of the last four editions of the U23 Asian Cup, having lost in 2022 to Saudi Arabia, who they beat in the quarter finals.
Uzbek coach Timur Kapadze made six replacements to the team that beat Saudi Arabia in the quarter-finals, including matchwinner Khusain Norchaev, while Shin Tae-yong made three – with Ramadhan Sananta starting in place of the suspended Rafael Struick.
Uzbekistan dominated from the start, peppering the Indonesian goal but unable to break the deadlock until the 68th minute when Muhammadkodir Hamraliev’s cross from the right that was turned in by Khusain Norchaev.
Indonesia had Rizky Ridho sent off for a high challenge on Jasurbek Jaloliddinov following a VAR review and Uzbekistan secured the game from the resulting free kick.
Jaloliddinov’s powerfully struck effort was parried to Abdukhodir Khusanov whose header from the rebound hit the post but in the scramble to clear the ball, Pratama Arhan sent the ball into his own net.
Japan did not wait so long to book their place in the final, scoring twice in the first half to end Iraq’s challenge.
Japan are seeking only their second U23 Asian Cup title, the last one being won in 2016.
Mao Hosoya put the Japanese in front in the 28th minute, receiving the ball in front of goal and turning his marker with his first touch before sliding the ball home.
Ryotaro Araki sealed the tie in the closing minutes of the first half. Joel Fujita hit a through ball to an advancing Araki who made no mistake in firing the ball into Iraq’s goal.
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