Doha, Qatar: The Japan U23 and Iraq U23 national squads will face off in the second semi-final game at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 tournament, with both teams setting their sight on the coveted silverware. The winner will face Uzbekistan U23 national team in the final.
Japan’s U23 team had a much tough matchup against the host nation Qatar in the quarter-finals, which saw Japan fight hard to win it 4-2 in extra time.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi U23 team had defeated the Vietnamese team in the quarter-finals one goal to nothing thanks to a penalty converted successfully by Ali Jasim.
The semi-finals thriller will take place at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. Stay tuned as we bring you match highlights and a glimpse of the football atmosphere at the venue!
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19′ Japan’s captain Joel Fujita plays a through ball that is intercepted by the Iraqi defence but the clearance finds Kuryu Matsuki’s left foot, who drives his shot straight into Hussein Hasan’s gloves.
11′ Iraq answer back quickly with Ali Jasim’s effort being handled by Japan’s Leo Kukubo
10′ Japan’s Mao Hosoya is put through with a beautiful through ball from Ryotaro Araki but Iraq’s Hussein Hasan does splendid in stopping the one-on-one
6′ Delay in play as Iraq U23’s Salem Ahmed goes down injured.
3′ Foul by Mao Hosoya (Japan U23).
Lineups
???? LINE UPS | ???????? Japan ???? Iraq ????????
Here are the players that will represent both nations in tonight’s semi-final at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium!
???? Watch Live https://t.co/pJcxzDRqjU#AFCU23 | #JPNvIRQ pic.twitter.com/xNOTDmGz5W
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) April 29, 2024
TEAMS ARRIVE AT JASSIM BIN HAMAD
???? They’ve Arrived and they’re Ready ????#AFCU23 | #JPNvIRQ pic.twitter.com/cH15vK6ZC7
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) April 29, 2024
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