Qatar. Japan emerged as the champions of the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup after defeating Uzbekistan 1-0 in the final at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Friday night.

Japan's only goal was scored by Fuki Yamada in the 90+1st minute. Yamada found the net with his left foot from outside the penalty box.

Uzbekistan came close to equalizing six minutes later after being awarded a penalty. However, Umarali Rakhmonaliev's shot, aimed at the right side of Japan's goal, was saved by goalkeeper Leo Kokubo.

This victory marks Japan's repeat success, following their triumph in 2016, while Uzbekistan failed to secure their second title after their win in 2018.

The Uzbekistan U-23 national team was without three key players, Abdukodir Khusanov, Hojimat Erkinov, and Abbosbek Fayzullaev.

The three players, who played their club football abroad, had returned to their respective clubs. Khusanov returned to French club RC Lens, Erkinov to UAE club Al-Wahda FC, and Fayzullaev to Russian club CSKA Moscow.

Both finalists, as well as the third-placed Iraq, have also qualified for the men's football tournament at the Paris Olympics. Meanwhile, fourth-placed Indonesia still has a chance to qualify for their first Olympics since 1956 through a playoff against Guinea next Thursday.

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