AFC U23 Asian Cup
Uzbekistan head coach Ravshan Khaydarov is targeting the title while his China PR counterpart Antonio Puche expects his team to create more history after advancing to the knockout stage for the first time.
Khaydarov guided Uzbekistan to a first place finish in Group C while China PR finished second in Group D.
Khaydarov guided Uzbekistan to a first place finish in Group C while China PR finished second in Group D.
“Tomorrow, we are going to have the most important match so far in our journey to win the tournament,” said Khaydarov.
“We flew from Riyadh to Jeddah and it is hotter here but I wouldn’t say there’s a great difference between the two cities. The change won’t impact too much on the team’s performance."
“We flew from Riyadh to Jeddah and it is hotter here but I wouldn’t say there’s a great difference between the two cities. The change won’t impact too much on the team’s performance."
“The recovery process is completed and we have already had two training sessions. We analysed not only our opponents but also our group stage matches. We will miss (Nurlan) Ibraimov who is suspended but we have a very good replacement.
“We have known the China side for many years - starting from the U20 level. I think the China team is at its prime and they shape their performance with good organisation.”
“We have known the China side for many years - starting from the U20 level. I think the China team is at its prime and they shape their performance with good organisation.”
#AFCU23 Saudi Arabia 2026 | Vote for your favourite Group Stage goal
Puche’s China PR advanced with five points and more importantly, no goals conceded with Japan the only other side not breached at Saudi Arabia 2026.
“We’re very happy to be here in Jeddah,” said Puche. “For us it’s very important to be here, it is our dream. We are very organised, the players are focused. If anything, the only issue we faced in the group stage was in attack, where we had many chances but only one goal."
“We’re very happy to be here in Jeddah,” said Puche. “For us it’s very important to be here, it is our dream. We are very organised, the players are focused. If anything, the only issue we faced in the group stage was in attack, where we had many chances but only one goal."
“In football, the important thing is balance. I’m happy with the chances we created but not the fact that we scored only once, in football we have to always look to improve.
“Our mentality is that we always want more. We strive to be winners. I don’t know how the game will turn out but we will be competitive for sure.”
“Our mentality is that we always want more. We strive to be winners. I don’t know how the game will turn out but we will be competitive for sure.”
Trivia
● Uzbekistan have won each of their previous three meetings with China PR.
● Uzbekistan have scored five goals from an expected goals (xG) value of 3.09 in the ongoing edition, logging the second highest expected goals differential (G-xG) of +1.91 behind Japan’s tally of +3.46.
● China PR have kept a clean sheet in each of their three games in the ongoing edition, making them just the fifth side to do so alongside Saudi Arabia (2022), Korea Republic (2024), Uzbekistan (2024), and Japan (2026).
● Behruzjon Karimov (Uzbekistan) has won all seven of his attempted tackles, the most among players with a 100% tackle success rate; the last Uzbekistan player to win more tackles with a 100% tackle success rate in a single edition was Uzbekistan’s Islomjon Kobilov (8/8 tackles won in 2020).
● China PR keeper Li Hao has made 16 saves in the ongoing edition, the most by any goalkeeper.
Uzbekistan v China PR
Venue: Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium (Jeddah)
Kick-off: Saturday, 14:30 (UTC+3)
Venue: Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium (Jeddah)
Kick-off: Saturday, 14:30 (UTC+3)
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