Defending champion North Korea, Australia and Uzbekistan joined the last eight of the AFC Youth Soccer Championship in Dammam Wednesday. Australia qualified after a 2-1 victory over Jordan in Group D at Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam. In the same group, Uzbekistan finished second as it won 1-0 over 10-man Thailand. Meanwhile, North Korea sealed the last ticket to the quarterfinals after a goalless draw with China in Group C while a 5-1 victoy for Tajikistan over Lebanon was not enough to secure a place in the quarterfinals as it finished third in Group C. Host Saudi Arabia, Japan, UAE, South Korea and China have earlier secured their passage to the next round. The knockout stage is expected to witness exciting games as host Saudi Arabia plays its neighbor UAE in Dammam while Japan clash with South Korea in Al-Khobar Saturday. China which topped Group C meets Uzbekistan, the second in Droup D, while North Korea set up a clash with Group D leader Australia. In Dammam, two goals from Milos Lujic and Sebastian Ryall led Austrilia to a 2-1 victory over Jordan. Lujic put Australia ahead after 40 minutes before Sebastian doubled the lead in the 71st minute from the spot. Jordan retaliated in the last ten minutes and a late goal from Zaid Khalil failed to help his side as the team was eliminated from the championship without points. In Group C top clash, North Korea felt the pressure from China but the defending champion salvaged a goalless draw to stay second in the group with five points and managed its passage to the quarterfinals. At Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Stadium in Al-Khobar, Fozil Musaev scored the only goal for Uzbekistan in the 34th minute in the Group D encounter to edge Thailand from the competition. Thailand which needed only a win to advance to the knockout stage, was the better side before Fozil headed the winner for Uzbekistan. Thiland players fought in vain to draw level after the break, but the team's hopes ended after it was reduced to 10 players. In Group C, Tajikistan recorded a consolation 5-1 victory over Lebanon after the two sides have been eliminated from the competition. At Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Stadium, Samad Shohzukhurov scored a brace from Tajiks while Davrondzhon Tukhtasunov, Farkhod Tokhirov and Farkhod Vasiev completed their scoresheet. The only goal for Lebanon was scored by Ahmed Zraiq in the first half. __
