Samurai Blue Perfection and Uzbek Resilience: the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia - The group stages of the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup reached a fever pitch yesterday evening, delivering a masterclass in tactical discipline from Japan and a statement victory by Uzbekistan.
As the dust settles on Groups B and C, four more nations have punched their tickets to the Quarter-finals, leaving fans with a tantalizing bracket for the knockout rounds beginning January 16.
Group B: Japan Cruises, UAE survives the Scare
The defending champions, Japan, sent a terrifying message to the rest of the continent: they are not just here to participate; they are here to dominate.
The "Samurai Blue" wrapped up a flawless group stage campaign with a clinical 2–0 victory over Qatar. The win secured Japan a perfect 9 points from three matches, cementing their status as the tournament favorites. Their passing was crisp, their defense impenetrable, and they now march into the knockouts with fresh legs and high confidence.
The real drama, however, unfolded in the fight for second place.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Syria locked horns in a match where winner-takes-all stakes hung heavy in the humid Jeddah air. In a gritty, physical contest, the two sides battled to a 1–1 draw. The point was just enough for the UAE. By virtue of goal difference and head-to-head metrics, the UAE edged out the Syrians to claim the runner-up spot, leaving Syria heartbroken despite an unbeaten run in their final two games.
Group C: The White Wolves Stun the Taeguk Warriors
Over in Riyadh, the headline match of the day saw two Asian powerhouses collide to decide the fate of Group C.
Uzbekistan, the 2018 champions, produced the performance of the tournament so far, defeating South Korea 2–0. It was a tactical triumph for the Uzbeks, who neutralized the Korean attack and struck with lethal precision on the counter.
The victory vaulted Uzbekistan to the top of the table with 7 points, allowing them to avoid the daunting task of facing the Group D winner in the next round.
For South Korea, the defeat is a wake-up call. While they safely advance as runners-up on 4 points, their path to the trophy has just become significantly harder. They now face a nervous wait to see who wins Group D—likely a powerhouse clash against Australia or Iraq.
In the group's dead rubber, Lebanon salvaged pride with a shock 1–0 win over Iran, sending Team Melli home at the bottom of the table in a disappointing campaign.