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.
Red Sea crisis mounts pressure on Asia trade
Tigers and Cardinals rained out, will play a traditional doubleheader on Tuesday
Politicians, dog experts vilify South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem for killing her dog
Investors trying to take control of Norfolk Southern railroad pick up key support
Xi affirms nation's commitment to future of humanity
IMF approves immediate release of final $1.1 billion tranche of $3 billion bailout to Pakistan
King and Queen jet back to London for public
CJ Abrams homers as Nationals complete 4
Biden 'decides' reply to deadly attack in Jordan
Sandra Bullock's teen son Louis towers over her during rare outing in West Hollywood
Mozambique inaugurates Chinese
Map reveals where headless torso and further human remains have been found by locals in Salford