Saudi U-23 Team Triumphs in Friendly Match Ahead of Olympic Qualifiers

Saudi Arabia’s U-23 national football team secured a crucial 1-0 victory against South Korea in their final friendly match ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games qualification campaign. The match, held at Al-Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, marked the conclusion of the team’s preparation camp for the upcoming 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup in Qatar, scheduled from April 15 to May 3. This tournament serves as a pathway for teams to earn a spot in the football competition at the Paris Olympics later this year.

The winning goal came in the 72nd minute courtesy of Jihad Zakry, propelling Saad Al-Shehri’s squad to a positive note before their journey to Doha. The Saudi team is now gearing up to face Tajikistan on April 16 at Khalifa International Stadium in their Group C opener, followed by matches against Thailand on April 19 and Iraq on April 22 at the same venue.

The 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup features 16 nations divided into four groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals. Notably, the winners of the two semifinal matches will secure direct qualification to the Olympic Games, irrespective of the final result. Additionally, the third-place playoff winners will also earn a ticket to Paris, while the fourth-place finishers will have a final opportunity to qualify through a playoff against an African team.

In summary, Saudi Arabia’s U-23 national football team’s victory over South Korea sets a positive tone for their upcoming challenges in the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup, as they aim to secure a coveted spot in the football competition at the Paris Olympics.