Qatar Loses Strong Fallout To South Korea

Japan`s U-23 team is at the center of criticism. Japan`s U-23 team is at the center of criticism.

Japan's U-23 team, led by Coach Oiwa Ko, lost 0-1 to the South Korean U-23 team in the third Group B match of the 2024 Asian qualifying round for the U-23 Asian Cup and Paris Olympics, which took place at Jasim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday (Korea time). Japan advanced to the tournament as the second-ranked team in Group B with two wins and one loss. The team will face Qatar, the home team that ranks first in Group A, in the quarterfinals. The team will face off against Iraq-D, the second-ranked team in Group C. Initially, Saudi Arabia seemed likely to be the top-ranked team in Group C, but it has been decided to be Iraq.

Japanese media outlet Daily Sports said, "Japan lost to its nemesis, Korea. It finished second in the group league. It will face off against Qatar, the host country, in the quarterfinals. Japan aims to play in the Olympics for the eighth time in a row. However, it is going through a hard time at a tournament. It will face Qatar, which is considered a favorite to win the title, in the quarterfinals. There is a chance that it will face Saudi Arabia in the semifinals." According to the media's report, fans showed reactions such as "Death Tournament," "Saudi Arabia after Qatar?" and "Have you given up participating in the Olympics?"

Another media outlet, Sports Hochi, also said, "Japan, which aims to advance to the Olympics for the eighth consecutive time, lost to Korea in the final group match. There were nine minutes of extra time in the second half, but they lacked the ability to score goals. They will face Qatar, the potential winner, in the quarterfinals." According to Sports Hochi, fans expressed their reactions such as "lack of decision-making," "There is no way when it is losing," "We are losing to Korea on everything," and "Korea won in the atmosphere."

The first to third-place teams will be given the chance to advance to the Paris Olympics. The fourth-place team will decide its final fate through an intercontinental playoff with African teams.

Meanwhile, Oiwa said after the match, "I really wanted to win. There are next matches. If you win the tournament, it will be a tough battle against any team. I will prepare well."

BY: 스포츠토토