Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
Marcelo Broli had mixed emotions after the UAE side booked their passage into the quarter-finals of the 2026 U23 Asian Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
The 1-1 draw saw the UAE finish second behind Japan in Group B but the coach said he was puzzled how his team did not end up as winners.
“We knew it would be a very intense match because both teams were fighting for qualification,” said Broli. “We knew how good a team Syria are, but we prepared a solid plan so we wouldn’t suffer too much.
“The match went the way we had thought it would – we found the goal in the first half, and they equalised. Of course, the tension increased but in the final minutes, I believe we had the clearest chances to win the game.
“Today, we achieved our goal, which was to qualify but then, in the details, of course, we will need to convert chances in order to advance to the next phase. That’s a reality, and we always strive to keep improving, match by match.”
Broli’s counterpart Jehad Al Hussain was proud nonetheless of the Syrian team. “We faced many difficult circumstances, but that’s football, we must adapt to all conditions,” he said. “The players are not at fault at all, I take full responsibility.
“Other teams were better prepared than us, physically more ready. We had many injuries. We were the better side in the first half, the better side in every aspect of the game. Perhaps only in the last 10 minutes we were poor. Overall, we were the better team, but that’s football. In the end, we were required to win, and it didn’t happen.”
The task ahead for the UAE gets tougher as they take on Vietnam at the first hurdle of the knockout stage. Vietnam were the standout team in Group A, finishing top with a maximum nine points after wins over Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyz Republic.
Jordan advanced as the runners-up and will face Group B winners Japan in the quarter-finals on Friday. Meanwhile, Japan are not only seeking to become the first team to defend the title but also lift the trophy for a record-extending third time.
Uzbekistan and Korea Republic were two other former champions to advance after securing the top two spots in Group C. Uzbekistan, seeking to add to the title won in 2018, will face Group D runners-up China PR on Saturday while Korea Republic, who won the 2020 edition, will face Australia.
Quarter-finals
Friday
Japan v Jordan – 3.30pm
Vietnam v UAE – 7.30pm
Saturday
Uzbekistan v China PR – 3.30pm
Australia v Korea Republic – 7.30pm
