AFC Youth Cup 2023: Iraq loses the second round to Uzbekistan

The Iraqi national team lost to the host team, Uzbekistan, 0-1, in the confrontation that took place at Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent, in the second round of the first Group competitions in the AFC U-20 Youth Cup 2023 in Uzbekistan.

Bulatkhuja Kuldorkhanov scored the precious winning goal for Uzbekistan in the 17th minute of the match.

The Uzbek national team completed the match with ten players, after midfielder Shahzodbek Rakhmetullayev was sent off in the 44th minute.

Uzbekistan was at the top of the group standings with 6 points from two matches, compared to 3 points each for Iraq and Indonesia, while the balance of Syria and Indonesia remained empty of points.

The third and final round of group competitions will be held on Tuesday, where Iraq will meet Syria, and Uzbekistan will meet Indonesia.

On Wednesday, in the first round Iraq defeat Indonesia 2-0 and Uzbekistan beat Syria 2-0.

The first two teams from each group qualify for the quarter-finals, whose matches will be held on March 11 and 12.

It is noteworthy that the teams that finish in the first four places in the tournament qualify for the FIFA U-20 Youth World Cup 2023 in Indonesia.