Doha, Qatar, April 28, 2024: New boys on the block Indonesia, along with Uzbekistan, Japan and Iraq, have moved one step closer to clinching a berth at the Paris 2024 Olympics after reaching the semi-finals at the AFC U23 Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar.
Tournament debutants Indonesia will play Uzbekistan in the first semi-final at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Monday, April 29, while Japan will take on Iraq in the other semi-final at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, also on Monday..
The two finalists and the winner of the third place play-off directly book a ticket to Paris 2024 with the fourth-placed side to face Guinea in a play-off on May 9 for a possible fourth Asian team to advance to the Olympic Games.
Uzbekistan, winners in 2018 and runners-up two years ago, will feel they can go all the way after ending Saudi Arabia’s reign with a 2-0 victory in the quarterfinals on Friday, April 26.
Goals from Khusain Norchaev and Umarali Rakhmonaliev steered Uzbekistan past Saudi Arabia as the Central Asian side atoned for the disappointment two years ago on home soil.
Indonesia booked their berth in the last four by holding their nerve in a marathon penalty shootout victory, 11-10, over 2020 champions Korea. The defeat ended Korea’s proud streak of having made nine consecutive Olympic appearances.
Iraq, who have gone from strength to strength after kicking off their campaign with a shock 2-0 defeat to Thailand, had to thank the mercurial Ali Jassim for his effort from the penalty spot for a 1-0 win over Vietnam in the last eight. It is the first time Iraq has reached the semis since 2016.
Their opponents are 2016 champions Japan, who have qualified for every Olympic Games since 1996. Japan defeated 10-man Qatar 4-2 in the quarter finals thanks to extra-time goals from Mao Hosoya and Kotaro Uchida.
