DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Defending champion Saudi Arabia lost to Uzbekistan 2-0 in the Under-23 Asian Cup quarterfinals and also saw its chance of a second successive appearance at the Olympics end on Friday.
Only the top three teams from the 16-team competition qualify automatically for men’s Olympic soccer in Paris. Fourth place earns a playoff against Guinea in May.
In a reverse of the 2022 final, Uzbekistan was a comfortable winner. Khusain Norchaev scored on halftime and the Saudis’ task became much harder after 70 minutes when Ayman Yahya received a second yellow card. Umarali Rakhmonaliev headed home to secure the win for the 2018 champion.
The Central Asian team will take on Indonesia in Monday’s semifinal.
Iraq defeated Vietnam 1-0 to earn a last-four clash with Japan.
Ali Jasim scored in the second half from the penalty spot after goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan fouled Mohammad Nihad in the area.
Grease star Susan Buckner dead at 72: The actress played cheerleader Patty opposite Olivia Newton
'I was afraid for my life' — Orlando Bloom puts himself in peril for new TV series
The Montreal Canadiens have exercised the option on coach Martin St. Louis' contract
Pentagon leaders press Congress for Ukraine funding, saying battlefield situation is dire
Hong Kong court bans 'Glory to Hong Kong' song
Nursery worker accused of killing a nine
How ancient hatreds are reshaping the Middle East and forging unlikely alliances. The rise of Iran
US's largest public utility ignores warnings in moving forward with new natural gas plant
The habits that add decades to your life
Russia launches a 'massive' missile and drone attack on Ukraine's energy facilities
Milan's famous La Scala names new director of the opera house after months of controversy