DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Uzbekistan qualified for men’s Olympic soccer after years of near-misses by reaching the Under-23 Asian Cup final on Monday.
The Uzbeks beat Indonesia 2-0 in the semifinals and will face Japan in the final on Friday.
Japan secured an eighth consecutive Olympic appearance by defeating Iraq 2-1.
The top three teams qualify automatically for the Paris Games and Iraq and Indonesia will meet in Thursday’s playoff to decide the remaining place.
Uzbekistan has had an unlucky run. It won the biennial Asian tournament in the non-Olympic years of 2018 and 2022. In 2020, the team finished fourth, missing out on the Tokyo Games after losing the playoff against Australia.
There was no heartbreak this time. Khusain Norchaev scored midway through the second half and Pratama Arhan conceded an own goal four minutes from the end at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.
Yu Darvish extends scoreless innings streak to 25 in Padres' 9
China Focus: China Conducts Survey on Population Most Susceptible to COVID
Internet Development Sweetens Apple Business on Loess Plateau
China Selects Happiest Cities of 2022
The fightback begins: Boss of London's Queen Mary University tells pro
China Starts Pilot Program to Build Better Urban Communities
Traditional Chinese Cultural Activities Attract Tourists During National Day Holiday
China Focus: China Holds National Commemoration for Nanjing Massacre Victims
US overdose deaths dropped in 2023, the first time since 2018
Tibet's Rural Residents Enjoy Improved Livelihood over Past Decade
Devout Christian doctor, 68, who punched dementia
China Focus: National Day Celebrated amid Hope for Better Life