Japan, Uzbekistan to face off in final

Uzbekistan advanced to their third AFC U-23 Asian Cup final in four editions after defeating Indonesia 2-0 in their semi-final at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Monday.
In the final on Friday, Uzbekistan, will meet Japan after first half goals from Mao Hosoya and Ryotaro Araki earned Go Oiwa’s side a 2-0 win over Iraq at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. The semi-final wins also sealed the both teams’ spot at the Olympic Games in Paris this year. Iraq will meet Indonesia on Thursday to determine who will secure Asia’s third guaranteed berth at the Olympics.
Uzbekistan coach Timur Kapadze made six changes to the team that beat Saudi Arabia in the quarter-finals, including match winner Khusain Norchaev, while Indonesia’s Shin Tae-yong made three – with Ramadhan Sananta starting in place of the suspended Rafael Struick.
Uzbekistan, however, quickly got into their stride with Abbosbek Fayzullaev dictating play in the centre with his marker Ivar Jenner struggling to cope with the guile and movement of the CSKA Moscow midfielder. Two early chances were created from the right with Alisher Odilov forcing a reflex save from Ernando Ari at his near post, which was followed by Ulugbek Khoshimov’s driving run that ended up with a dragged shot just wide of the post.
Indonesia’s goalmouth led a charmed life when midfielder Abdurauf Buriev struck a powerful shot from distance in the 30th minute which beat Ernando but not the crossbar but crucially for the Southeast Asians, Uzbekistan could not make their dominance count. Kapadze sent on Jasurbek Jaloliddinov and Norchaev in the second half, with Uzbekistan continuing to rain shots at Indonesia’s goal with efforts from Zafarmurod Abdirakhmatov, Odilov and Jaloliddinov.
Against the run of play, Indonesia looked to have broken the deadlock in the 61st minute after Mohamed Ferrari jabbed the ball home following a melee, only for the goal to be ruled out as Ramadhan had been offside in the buildup. Having survived the scare, Uzbekistan took the lead seven minutes later when Mohamedkodir Hamraliev produced an inch perfect cross from the right that was turned in by Norchaev.
Uzbekistan pushed hard for a second goal, striking the post through attempts by Fayzullaev and Norchaev before Umarali Rakhmonaliev put his shot well over after being put under pressure by Ferrari. Indonesia’s hopes of a comeback suffered a setback in the 84th minute after referee Shen Yinhao sent off Rizky Ridho for a high foot challenge on Jaloliddinov following a VAR review.
From the ensuing free-kick, Uzbekistan doubled their lead after Ernando could only parry Jaloliddinov’s powerfully struck effort, with Abdukhodir Khusanov’s header from the rebound hitting the post but in the scramble to clear the ball, Pratama Arhan and his keeper got in each other’s way as the Indonesian left-back sent the ball into the net.
Later, Japan’s Hosoya put the 2016 champions in front in the 28th minute against Iraq. Araki doubled the lead 14 minutes later during a commanding performance by Oiwa’s side, with captain Joel Fujita at the heart of a dominant display. Oiwa’s team put on their finest performance of the tournament to secure their nation’s second appearance in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup final, with Fujita to the fore and the Iraqis unable to handle the quality of their opponents’ movement and passing.