Saudi Arabia join UAE in tough group at U-23 Asian Cup

LONDON: Saudi Arabia were handed a tough draw for the 2022 U-23 Asian Cup football tournament on Thursday as they were placed in Group D with the United Arab Emirates, Japan and Tajikistan. 

The young Green Falcons, finalists in the tournament’s 2013 and 2020 editions and looking to go one better in Uzbekistan this summer, kick off their campaign on June 3 against Tajikistan before tough clashes against the Samurai Blue and the Olympic Whites.

An opening game against Tajikistan, making a first appearance in the 16-team tournament, will be seen as a perfect opportunity for the Saudis to take three points ahead of what should be more difficult tests. While Japan, champions in 2016 and semi-finalists at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, are usually strong at this level, Saudi Arabia will take heart from the previous tournament when they finished top of their group with a 2-1 win over Japan who ended up in last place. 

The final group game against the UAE could be crucial in determining who gets into the knockout stage and who goes home. Emirati coach Denis Silva is under no illusions as to the size of the task facing his team in Central Asia. 

“There is no easy group in the finals, and all 16 teams qualified well and have what it takes to compete,” the Spaniard said. “We are aware of the strength of the opponents in the group such as the Saudi Arabia and Japanese national teams, and we also know about the great ambitions of Tajikistan who are making their first appearance in the finals.”

The UAE reached the quarter-finals last time around, but while they topped their group, they were then thrashed 5-1 by Uzbekistan in the second round. 

Saudi Arabia’s U-23s appeared at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics last summer and, despite