Group C: Iraq and South Korea secure last eight spotsIraq 3-2 Uzbekistan
South Korea 5-0 Yemen
Iraq and South Korea both won their second successive matches on Saturday to claim their places in the quarter-finals of the 2016 AFC U23 Championship.
Defending champions Iraq secured their place in the last eight with a 3-2 win over Uzbekistan, while South Korea thrashed Yemen 5-0.
Humam Tareq scored an 81st minute winner for Iraq after an exciting game at Qatar Sports Club. Uzbekistan took the lead inside just 12 seconds through AFC Youth Player of the Year Dostonbek Khamdamov. But Iraq hit back to lead at half-time after goals from Amjad Attwan Kadhim and Mahdi Kamil.
Substitute Timur Khakimov headed Uzbekistan level in the 79th minute, but Iraq secured victory just two minutes later.
In the early kick-off, Kwon Changhoon scored a first-half hat-trick for South Korea before Ryu Seungwoo and Kim Seung Jun added goals after the break.
Iraq will face South Korea in the final round of Group C matches on Tuesday. A draw will see South Korea top the group on goal difference, while Iraq require a victory to go through as group winners.
Group B- Thai thrashing puts Japan through
Japan 4-0 Thailand
Saudi Arabia 3-3 North Korea
Japan secured a spot in the quarter-finals after a crushing 4-0 win over Thailand in Group B.
Musashi Suzuki, Shinya Yajima and a late double from Yuya Kubo were enough to see off the Thais at Grand Hamad Stadium.
Victory moves the Japenese onto six points from two games, following a 1-0 victory over North Korea in their tournament opener.
Also in Group B on Saturday and North Korea snatched a 3-3 draw with Saudi Arabia after a topsy-turvy encounter at Grand Hamad Stadium.
Captain Jang Kuk-chol scored five minutes from time to salvage a point for the Koreans.
Kim Yong-il put North Korea in front in the 27th minute before Mohamed Kanno leveled five minutes before half-time.
Yun Il-gwang put the Koreans in front early in the second half before substitute Abdulfattah Asiri inspired the Saudis to take the lead. He had a hand in goals for Fahad Al Muwallad and Abdulrahman Al Ghamdi as Saudi Arabia hit the front.
However, the lead lasted just 16 minutes, and the Saudis will need to get a good result against Japan in their final group game to go through.
The final Group B matches will take place on Tuesday. It’s all to play for as any of Saudi Arabia, Thailand or North Korea could join Japan in the last eight. Saudi Arabia face Japan, while Thailand take on North Korea.
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