DOHA, QATAR — Uzbekistan advanced to the U-23 Asian Cup final on Monday, clinching a spot in the men's Olympic Games after years of near-misses.
Uzbekistan defeated Indonesia 2-0 in the semifinals and will face Japan in Friday's final.
Japan defeated Iraq 2-1 and qualified for the Olympics for the eighth consecutive year.
The top three teams will automatically qualify for the Paris Games, with Iraq and Indonesia playing off Thursday to decide the remaining spot.
Uzbekistan was unlucky. He won the Asian Games every other year in 2018 and 2022, when the Olympics were not held. In 2020, they finished in 4th place and lost in the playoffs to Australia, missing out on the Tokyo Games.
There was no heartbreak this time. In the match played at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Hussain Norchayev scored midway through the second half, and Pratama Arkhan conceded an own goal four minutes from time.
Uzbekistan captain Abdurav Buliev was delighted with the historic Olympic qualification, but was still hoping for an Asian title.
“This is a very big moment in my career,” said the midfielder. “It was a very emotional game and we still have one game left to prepare for.”
Japan took the lead against Iraq by scoring two goals in the first half. Mao Hosoya and Ryotaro Araki scored the goals.
The loser of Indonesia vs. Iraq will face Guinea in a playoff in May for a spot in Paris.
