Uzbekistan and Japan qualify for men's Olympic soccer by reaching U23 Asian Cup final
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Uzbekistan qualified for men’s Olympic soccer after years of near-misses by reaching the Under-23 Asian Cup final on Monday.
The Uzbeks beat Indonesia 2-0 in the semifinals and will face Japan in the final on Friday.
Japan secured an eighth consecutive Olympic appearance by defeating Iraq 2-1.
The top three teams qualify automatically for the Paris Games and Iraq and Indonesia will meet in Thursday’s playoff to decide the remaining place.
Uzbekistan has had an unlucky run. It won the biennial Asian tournament in the non-Olympic years of 2018 and 2022. In 2020, the team finished fourth, missing out on the Tokyo Games after losing the playoff against Australia.
There was no heartbreak this time. Khusain Norchaev scored midway through the second half and Pratama Arhan conceded an own goal four minutes from the end at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.
Related articles
Philippines blames China for loss of giant clams in disputed shoal and urges environmental inquiry
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines blamed Chinese fishermen on Monday for a massive loss of2024-05-21Chinese president appoints new ambassadors
Chinese President Xi Jinping has appointed the following ambassadors in accordance with a decision f2024-05-21Residents forced out of Canada's oil sands hub by wildfire cleared to return, officials say
FORT MCMURRAY, Alberta (AP) — Residents who were ordered out of Canada’s oil sands hub of Fort McMur2024-05-21Jaime Torres wins the Preakness with Seize the Grey 2 years after starting to ride horses
BALTIMORE (AP) — Jaime Torres was watching horse racing on television in his native Puerto Rico in 22024-05-21Investigators return to Long Island home of Gilgo Beach serial killing suspect
MASSAPEQUA PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Investigators returned Monday to the home of a New York architect charg2024-05-21Chinese president appoints new ambassadors
Chinese President Xi Jinping has appointed the following ambassadors in accordance with a decision f2024-05-21
atest comment