DOHA: Qatar’s U20 national team clinched a narrow 1-0 victory against Uzbekistan in a friendly match held at the Grand Hamad Stadium. The game served as a crucial preparation step for the young Qatari squad ahead of the AFC U20 Asian Cup finals, scheduled to take place in China next February. Al-Annabi, Qatar’s youth team, has been placed in Group 1 alongside China, Australia, and Kyrgyzstan for the tournament. The 42nd edition of the AFC U20 Asian Cup will run from February 12 to March 1, 2025, with 15 teams, including hosts China, having secured their spots through qualifiers held last October. Prior to the Uzbekistan match, Qatar played two other friendlies: a goalless draw against Syria and a 1-1 stalemate with Yemen. The team, which won the 2014 edition of the tournament, qualified for the finals after dominating Group 10 in the qualifiers with a perfect record of three wins. They defeated Singapore 3-0, Hong Kong 2-0, and Jordan 3-2 to secure their place. The AFC U20 Asian Cup also serves as a gateway to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, with the top four teams earning qualification. Notably, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, and Yemen are aiming to make their debut in the global tournament.