The Uzbekistan U23 national football team has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia following a 2-0 victory over the Republic of Korea in the final group stage match on January 13. The match was part of the third round of Group C.
Uzbekistan made changes to their starting lineup, fielding Mukhammedali Reimov and Abdugafur Khaydarov in place of Saidumarkhon Saidnurullaev and Amirbek Saidov, while South Korea made three substitutions from their second-round lineup.
The Korean team had an early opportunity in the sixth minute, when a corner from Shin Min-ha reached Kang Seong-jin at the far post, but the ball went over the crossbar. Uzbekistan’s most notable chance in the first half came from a set piece: Asilbek Jumayev’s corner hit the crossbar, keeping the score at 0-0 until halftime.
In the second half, Uzbekistan reintroduced Saidumarkhon Saidnurullaev and Amirbek Saidov, and the team opened the scoring in the 48th minute. Nurlan Ibraimov’s attempt to enter the penalty area was blocked, but the ball rebounded to Bekhruz Karimov, who scored to make it 1-0. Shortly afterward, the Korean goalkeeper made a double save, first blocking Saidov’s shot and then diverting Jumayev’s follow-up attempt.
Uzbekistan extended their lead in the 70th minute. Saidov passed to Saidnurullaev following a setup from Saidkhon Khamidov, and Saidnurullaev's shot struck the underside of the crossbar before entering the net, bringing the score to 2-0. In the 84th minute, Korea had another opportunity to reduce the deficit, but Jeong Seung-bae’s shot was cleared off the line by Giyosdzhon Rizakulov.
Despite the Korean team holding a possession advantage of 68% compared to Uzbekistan’s 32%, the Uzbeks were more effective in attack, recording nine shots on goal, four of which were on target. Korea managed five shots, none on target. Uzbekistan also led in corner kicks, 4-2.
With this result, Uzbekistan topped Group C with seven points from two wins and one draw, finishing with a goal difference of 5:2. Korea finished second with four points, while Iran, after a 0-1 loss to Lebanon, placed last.
Uzbekistan’s opponent in the quarterfinals will be determined based on the results of Group D, which includes China, Australia, Iraq, and Thailand.
The 2026 U23 Asian Cup features sixteen teams, with eligibility limited to players born on or after January 1, 2003. This edition is the last non-Olympic cycle of the tournament, which will become a four-year event starting in the next cycle. Japan remains the reigning champion, having defeated Uzbekistan in the final of the 2024 tournament.
