June 10 – Current AFC U23 Asian Cup champions Korea Republic progressed to the knock-out rounds of the 2022 competition in Uzbekistan with a 1-0 win over Thailand to knock them off the top of Group C and out the competition.
They will be joined in the quarter finals by Vietnam who beat Malaysia 2-0 to finish a point ahead of Thailand.
Korea Republic went into a tricky tie at the Lokomotiv Stadium with a full squad. Head coach Hwang Sun-hong named Europe-based Lee Kang-in and Cho Young-wook, with three goals in two games to his name, in the starting-11.
The Koreans took the lead in the 35th minute when Go Jae-Hyeon met a Cho cross to score. They will now meet their regional rivals Japan in the next round.
Japan beat Tajikistan 3-0 in their final group game but finished second in the group on goal difference after Saudi Arabia overcame the UAE 2-0.
After a goalless first half at the Lokomotiv Stadium, Aiman Yahya and Saud Abdulhamid provided the goals to put Saudi Arabia through to a meeting with fast improving Vietnam.
The conclusion of the final two groups completes the quarter final line up. Hosts Uzbekistan face Iraq and Australia will meet Turkmenistan on Saturday while Korea vs Japan and Saudi Arabia vs Vietnam will be played Sunday.
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