AFC U23 Asian Cup
Set to be played in a packed Bunyodkor Stadium, Saudi Arabia will be aiming to deny Uzbekistan glory before their fans.
Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at some of the facts and stats leading up to the final.
Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at some of the facts and stats leading up to the final.
Final pedigree
Both teams have been at this stage before, with Uzbekistan winning the title in 2018 while Saudi Arabia were runners-up in 2013 and 2020.
Both teams have been at this stage before, with Uzbekistan winning the title in 2018 while Saudi Arabia were runners-up in 2013 and 2020.
Two-time champions or first time winners?
Uzbekistan will be bidding to become the first team to lift the AFC U23 Asian Cup title for a second time while Saudi Arabia will aim to get a new name engraved on the coveted trophy.
Uzbekistan will be bidding to become the first team to lift the AFC U23 Asian Cup title for a second time while Saudi Arabia will aim to get a new name engraved on the coveted trophy.
Magical Moments: Uzbekistan win the AFC U23 Championship China 2018
Besides Uzbekistan, the previous champions were Iraq (2013), Japan (2016) and Korea Republic (2020).
Revenge or history repeated?
Uzbekistan's bid to retain the title in 2020 was ended at the semi-final stage by Saudi Arabia, who won 1-0.
Uzbekistan's bid to retain the title in 2020 was ended at the semi-final stage by Saudi Arabia, who won 1-0.
#AFCU23 - S-final: Saudi Arabia 1-0 Uzbekistan
It proved to be a costly defeat as the Central Asian side then went on to lose the third-place playoff, which led to them missing out on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Attacking Threat
The tournament's two most potent teams will face off for the title with Uzbekistan the leading scorers with 12 goals and Saudi Arabia just one behind.
The tournament's two most potent teams will face off for the title with Uzbekistan the leading scorers with 12 goals and Saudi Arabia just one behind.
Defensive Resilience
Saudi Arabia are, however, top in terms of defence with Saad Al Shehri's side yet to be breached after five matches. Uzbekistan have conceded three goals - once in the Group A tie against IR Iran and twice against Iraq in the quarter-final.
Saudi Arabia are, however, top in terms of defence with Saad Al Shehri's side yet to be breached after five matches. Uzbekistan have conceded three goals - once in the Group A tie against IR Iran and twice against Iraq in the quarter-final.
Race for Golden Boot
Japan's Yuito Suzuki, Saudi Arabia's Ayman Yahya and Uzbekistan's Jasurbek Jaloliddinov are all on a tournament-leading three goals heading into the third-place playoff on Saturday and Sunday's final.
The previous Golden Boot winners were Kaveh Rezaei (IR Iran - 2013), Ahmed Alaa (Qatar - 2016), Almoez Ali (Qatar - 2018) and Jaroensak Wonggorn (Thailand - 2020).
Japan's Yuito Suzuki, Saudi Arabia's Ayman Yahya and Uzbekistan's Jasurbek Jaloliddinov are all on a tournament-leading three goals heading into the third-place playoff on Saturday and Sunday's final.
The previous Golden Boot winners were Kaveh Rezaei (IR Iran - 2013), Ahmed Alaa (Qatar - 2016), Almoez Ali (Qatar - 2018) and Jaroensak Wonggorn (Thailand - 2020).
Shot masters
Uzbekistan's brand of football has thrilled even the neutrals with Timur Kapadze's side registering a total of 90 shots en route to reaching the final, with Saudi Arabia on 78. The Uzbek pairing of Jasurbek Jaloliddinov (15) and Husain Norchaev (12) lead the individual stats.
Uzbekistan's brand of football has thrilled even the neutrals with Timur Kapadze's side registering a total of 90 shots en route to reaching the final, with Saudi Arabia on 78. The Uzbek pairing of Jasurbek Jaloliddinov (15) and Husain Norchaev (12) lead the individual stats.
Game changer
The knockout stage inclusion of Firas Al Brikan has proven to be a masterstroke for Saudi Arabia, with the senior national team regular having already played a pivotal role with one goal and two assists.
The knockout stage inclusion of Firas Al Brikan has proven to be a masterstroke for Saudi Arabia, with the senior national team regular having already played a pivotal role with one goal and two assists.
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