U23 Asian semi -finals: Opportunities for young samurai
*Uzbekistan - Japan: 23h Wednesday, June 15, on Metasports.
Uzbekistan's home advantage is not much effective after the Asian Football Federation bans their fans from entering the semi -finals. The match only had about 500 Japanese fans participated in the stands. The professional factor will thus determine most of the match results.
Japan became the top championship after turning Korea into a former king with a 3-0 victory in the quarterfinals. With the criteria of playing attack, coach Oiwa Go helps students score eight goals, only conceding once from the beginning of the tournament. The only team that holds Japan is Saudi Arabia, drew 0-0 in the group stage.
The U21 star of Japan proved mature and brave in four matches. They sometimes had difficulty before the UAE on the day of the army, but still won 2-1 thanks to two goals scored in 15 minutes in the second half. In the match with South Korea, the students of coach Go also extinguished the opponent's hope with two goals in 15 minutes in the second half of the second half.
Uzbekistan also has seven points in the group stage like Japan. But, the landlord played in the quarterfinals with Iraq in the situation of goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov was chased from the first half. Uzbekistan was on a huge fire in this match when their 30,000 fans were constantly putting pressure on the referee and the visitors with strange objects on the yard. Uzbekistan then passed Iraq in a penalty shootout.
"Losing Nematov is our great loss," Uzbekistan's Timur Kapadze said at a press conference on June 14. "But I believe every player in the team, including the Nazarov goalkeeper. He played well against Iraq. We will be ready for every situation because Japan attacks very well. Weaknesses. We will prepare for the penalty shootout. "
Not only Uzbekistan suffered from the number. Right before the semi-final, Japan discovered three positive cases with Covid-19 and could not play. They must take additional measures to control the number of cases of infection. The players must be in their own room and limit close contact.
Two years ago Australia lost to Korea in the semi -finals. They have not reached the U23 Asian final since joining AFC in 2006. While Saudi Arabia has twice returned to 2013 and 2020. The team is the championship candidate this year when scoring nine goals and has not caught the net. Saudi Arabia used to be threatened by Vietnam in the quarterfinals, but their defense was still stood firm, and the construction goods were sharp.
"We definitely have to score to win," Australia Trevor Morgan said. "At this stage, the difference between teams is not much. Any team that exploits the opponent's weakness will gain advantage. Saudi Arabia is a great collective, but I am sure the students have the opportunity to join them together conclude".
