Saudi Arabia’s U-23s join South Korea in qualifying for Tokyo 2020 Olympics football

The young Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia defeated Uzbekistan 1-0 in the semifinals of the Asian Under-23 championship. (Twitter: @SaudiNT)
Short Url
  • Young Green Falcons will face fellow qualifiers South Korea in U-23 Championship final
  • The final is Sunday in Bangkok

BANGKOK: Saudi Arabia and South Korea both qualified for the men’s Olympic soccer tournament after winning games on Wednesday.

The young Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia defeated Uzbekistan 1-0 in the semifinals of the Asian Under-23 championship in Thailand, while South Korea beat Australia 2-0.

The final is Sunday in Bangkok.

It will be the first time Saudi Arabia have featured at the football tournament of the Olympics since Atlanta 1996.

Three teams will qualify for the Tokyo Olympics from the Asian competition, joining host Japan in a 16-nation lineup. Australia and Uzbekistan play for the other Olympic entry in a third-place game on Saturday.

South Korea won bronze at the 2012 London Olympics, beating Japan in the third-place game. The IOC barred a South Korean player from the medal ceremony after he displayed a flag with a political statement against Japan in the stadium.

(With AP)