Determining the 8 teams entering the quarter-finals of U23 Asia 2024: Southeast Asia has 2 left
Today, the final round of matches of the 2024 AFC U23 Championship group stage will take place, but from now on, fans have determined the 8 names participating in the quarterfinals including Vietnam, Iraq, Indonesia, Qatar, South Korea, Japan, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia. Including 2 representatives of Southeast Asia.
Vietnam and Indonesia are the pioneers of the region. Not only did they qualify, but they also made history. With 6 points, Vietnam had their first final round with 2 wins. Meanwhile, Indonesia also advanced from the group stage in their first participation.
Indonesia U23 will meet South Korea in the quarter-finals after the Korean team defeated Japan 1-0. The remaining match will be between Japan and Qatar, who qualified from the group stage with 7 points after 2 wins and 1 draw.
In Group C, Iraq won 2-1 against Saudi Arabia, while Thailand lost 0-1 to Tajikistan with a late equalizer. Thus, the two teams that are certain to qualify for the quarterfinals are Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
But the top spot belongs to Iraq. They have the same 6 points as Saudi Arabia but have a better head-to-head record, the first index taken into account when two teams are level on points.
Tonight’s match will determine the remaining two quarter-final pairs. Vietnam and Uzbekistan have the right to “choose” their opponents. It can be said that, although Saudi Arabia is second in Group C, it is still considered a tougher opponent than Iraq as they are the defending champions and have a good relationship with the youth tournaments of the continent.
Saudi Arabia is also a nightmare for Vietnam as well as Uzbekistan. In the meeting 2 years ago, both Vietnam and Uzbekistan lost 0-2 to Saudi Arabia.
In the match that decides the ranking of Group D, the winner will take the top spot. If there is a draw, Uzbekistan will still go through as group winners.
List of 8 teams entering the quarter-finals of the Final RoundU23 Asia 2024
1. Qatar
2. South Korea
3. Japan
4. Vietnam
5. Uzbekistan
6. Indonesia
7. Iraq
8. Saudi Arabia