Doha: Japan became the first team to secure their place in the knockout phase of the AFC U23 Championship yesterday when goals from Musashi Suzuki, Shinya Yajima and a late Yuya Kubo brace secured a 4-0 Group B win over Thailand for Makoto Teguramori’s side.
Victory moves the Japanese onto six points from their opening two games after an earlier 1-0 success over DPR Korea and the London 2012 semi-finalists are assured of a place in the quarter-finals thanks to their better head-to-head record over their fellow east Asians. Suzuki opened the scoring for a dominant Japan in the 27th minute before Yajima made it 2-0 four minutes into the second half while Thitiphan Punagjan missed a penalty five minutes later as Thailand pushed for a way back into the game.
Kubo, on a substitute, added Japan’s third 15 minutes from time before scoring from the penalty spot in the 84th minute.
In Group B, Captain Jang Kuk-chol scored five minutes from time to salvage a point for DPR Korea as their seesaw battle with Saudi Arabia in Group B of the AFC U23 Championship ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha yesterday.
Later, Humam Tareq scored an 81st minute winner as Iraqs secured a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Uzbekistan at Suhaim Bin Hamed Stadium.
The result also ensured the defending champions and Korea Republic qualify for the quarter-finals from Group C.
The Peninsula
Doha: Japan became the first team to secure their place in the knockout phase of the AFC U23 Championship yesterday when goals from Musashi Suzuki, Shinya Yajima and a late Yuya Kubo brace secured a 4-0 Group B win over Thailand for Makoto Teguramori’s side.
Victory moves the Japanese onto six points from their opening two games after an earlier 1-0 success over DPR Korea and the London 2012 semi-finalists are assured of a place in the quarter-finals thanks to their better head-to-head record over their fellow east Asians. Suzuki opened the scoring for a dominant Japan in the 27th minute before Yajima made it 2-0 four minutes into the second half while Thitiphan Punagjan missed a penalty five minutes later as Thailand pushed for a way back into the game.
Kubo, on a substitute, added Japan’s third 15 minutes from time before scoring from the penalty spot in the 84th minute.
In Group B, Captain Jang Kuk-chol scored five minutes from time to salvage a point for DPR Korea as their seesaw battle with Saudi Arabia in Group B of the AFC U23 Championship ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha yesterday.
Later, Humam Tareq scored an 81st minute winner as Iraqs secured a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Uzbekistan at Suhaim Bin Hamed Stadium.
The result also ensured the defending champions and Korea Republic qualify for the quarter-finals from Group C.
The Peninsula
