In a dramatic evening at the Okaz Stadium in Taif, Saudi Arabia’s U17 national team delivered one of the most thrilling performances of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2025, knocking out defending champions Japan in a penalty shootout after a gripping 2-2 draw.
The match saw momentum swing between the two Asian powerhouses, but it was goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al Otaibi who emerged as the hero, saving a crucial penalty in the shootout to send the Green Falcons to the semi-finals.
Match Recap:
Full-Time Score: Saudi Arabia 2 – 2 Japan
Goals (Saudi): Abdulaziz Al Harbi, Yazeed Al Shamrani
Penalty Shootout: Saudi Arabia 3 – 2 Japan
Key Moment: Al Otaibi’s final penalty save sparked wild celebrations across the stadium
Attendance: Thousands of home fans cheered on the squad under the lights in Taif
This result marks a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia’s youth football scene and puts them within reach of the final — and a potential AFC title on home soil.
Post-Match Reaction – Al Otaibi:
“We trusted each other, and I trusted myself. We believe we can go all the way and win this for Saudi Arabia.”
Why It Matters:
Saudi Arabia reaches the AFC U17 semifinals for the first time since 2016
This win boosts the national youth development project under Vision 2030
The team now has eyes firmly on the championship
💬 One step closer to glory. The next generation is writing history.
Photo credit : https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u17_asian_cup.html/news/q-final-saudi-arabia-edge-japan-in-shootout