Japan U23 vs Uzbekistan U23 Prediction: The guests should be closer to success

Prediction for the Asian Cup U23 match which will take place on May 3. Who will turn out to be stronger? Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available.

The Japan U23 national team is one of the strongest national teams on the continent. They are regular participants in the Under-23 Asian Cup, with the 2016 edition winning the tournament for the first time and the 2022 edition winning bronze medals. They started the group stage with wins over China and UAE, 1:0 and 2:0, respectively, before losing 0:1 to South Korea. In the quarter-final, the Japanese only beat Qatar 4:2 in extra time, and in the semi-final, they lost to Iran 2:0. Having reached the final, they also got a ticket to the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

The Uzbekistan national team has never participated in the Olympics, but now they have won a coveted trip to Paris. To do so, the White Wolves needed to finish in the top three at the U23 Asian Cup, which they did superbly. At the group stage of the continental championship, they beat Malaysia 2:0, Kuwait 5:0, and Vietnam 3:0. Of course, three wins in three games allowed them to enter the playoffs from first place. In the quarter-final clash, the Uzbeks were stronger than Saudi Arabia 2:0. In the semi-final, they broke Indonesia's resistance 2:0. There is no need to be surprised by such a good performance from them, as they won this tournament in 2018 and became vice-champions in 2022.

The national teams of Japan and Uzbekistan deservedly made it to the final clash at the U23 Asia Cup. During the tournament, they demonstrated a more stable and quality game and can be considered favorites in the deciding match. In the five previous meetings, they have won five games with a total goal difference of 14:0, while the Samurai had one defeat and one success outside of regulation time. In addition, the rivals have met each other twice before, and both times, the Japanese failed - 0:4 and 0:2. Here and in the upcoming battle, the nominal guests should be closer to success.

Do not expect high performance from the upcoming confrontation. We have already noted that the rivals will fight in the final battle, and therefore, the price of error is too high, as the title of continental champions is at stake. In addition, the Uzbekistan U23 national team at the Asian Cup has not conceded a single goal in five previous matches, which in itself speaks volumes about the quality of their defense. Previously, the rivals have played two head-to-head meetings, in which the Samurai failed to score a single goal against the Uzbeks.