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Central & South Asia Wrap: Sepahan stay in pole; Maziya continue winning run

Mon, 19 Jan, 2026

Central & South Asia Wrap: Sepahan stay in pole; Maziya continue winning run

Tehran: Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC remained at the top of the Iran Pro League as second-placed and 16-time champions Persepolis lost ground after falling to newcomers Fajr Sepasi. 

Maziya Sports and Recreation Club are on course for their second consecutive championship in the Maldives’ Dhivehi Premier League, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.

Lebanon’s Taha overjoyed; IR Iran’s Ravankhah heartbroken

Wed, 14 Jan, 2026

Lebanon’s Taha overjoyed; IR Iran’s Ravankhah heartbroken

Riyadh:  Head coach Jamal Taha said Lebanon fully deserved their win against Islamic Republic of Iran in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™Group C tie on Tuesday.

The debutants overcame the Central Asian side 1-0 in a fast paced Group C match, with Leonardo Shahin’s spot-kick earning them three points following defeats to Uzbekistan and Korea Republic.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/video/afcu23-|-group-c-ir-iran-0-1-lebanon

Group C: IR Iran 0-1 Lebanon

Wed, 14 Jan, 2026

Group C: IR Iran 0-1 Lebanon

Riyadh: Leonardo Shahin scored from the spot to give Lebanon a 1-0 win over Islamic Republic of Iran in their concluding AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group C match on Tuesday.

Lebanon’s first win of their campaign dashed Iran’s hopes of making the quarter-finals as the Central Asian side finished bottom of the standings on two points, with Uzbekistan and Korea Republic advancing. 

Preview - Group C: IR Iran v Lebanon

Tue, 13 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group C: IR Iran v Lebanon

Riyadh:  While victory may not be enough, Islamic Republic of Iran will go for broke when they face Lebanon in their concluding AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group C match on Tuesday.

Omid Ravankhah’s side’s chances will also hinge on the outcome of the Korea Republic and Uzbekistan tie - if there is an outright winner there and Iran also come out tops, both victors will advance.

The Central Asian side are on two points but regardless of the group outcome, head coach Ravankhah is confident his men have the advantage over Lebanon.

Uzbekistan’s Khaydarov satisfied, mixed feelings for IR Iran’s Ravankhah

Sun, 11 Jan, 2026

Uzbekistan’s Khaydarov satisfied, mixed feelings for IR Iran’s Ravankhah

Riyadh: Head coach Ravshan Khaydarov was happy that his Uzbekistan side were able to stand their own in an intense AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group C encounter with Islamic Republic of Iran on Saturday.

The goalless result favoured Uzbekistan - having defeated Lebanon 3-2 in their opening match - and set up a clash with leaders Korea Republic on Tuesday with both teams on four points.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/video/afcu23-|-group-c-ir-iran-0-0-uzbekistan

Group C: IR Iran 0-0 Uzbekistan

Sun, 11 Jan, 2026

Group C: IR Iran 0-0 Uzbekistan

Riyadh: Islamic Republic of Iran and Uzbekistan could not be separated as they played out a goalless draw in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group C tie on Saturday.

The stalemate took Uzbekistan up to four points, the same as Korea Republic who defeated Lebanon 4-2 earlier in the day, while Iran are two points adrift.

Preview - Group C: IR Iran v Uzbekistan

Sat, 10 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group C: IR Iran v Uzbekistan

Riyadh: A wiser Uzbekistan will take to the pitch for their clash against Islamic Republic of Iran in Group C of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ on Saturday.

The Central Asian side beat debutants Lebanon 3-2 on Wednesday, but allowed their opponents back into the game towards the closing stage after going three up by the hour mark.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/video/afcu23-|-group-c-korea-republic-0-0-ir-iran

Mixed feelings for Korea Republic’s Lee, IR Iran’s Ravankhah

Thu, 08 Jan, 2026

Mixed feelings for Korea Republic’s Lee, IR Iran’s Ravankhah

Riyadh:  Korea Republic head coach Lee Min-sung and his Islamic Republic of Iran counterpart Omid Ravankhah were pleased yet disappointed after their sides drew 0-0 in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group C opener on Wednesday.

Both teams struggled to find a way through, managing just one shot on target each as Uzbekistan took charge of the group after their 3-2 win against Lebanon.

Group C: Korea Republic 0-0 IR Iran

Thu, 08 Jan, 2026

Group C: Korea Republic 0-0 IR Iran

Riyadh: Korea Republic and Islamic Republic of Iran settled for a goalless draw in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ opening Group C match on Wednesday.

Both sides will need to pick up their game if 2020 champions Korea Republic are to overcome debutants Lebanon on Saturday while IR Iran will have their hands full against 2018 winners Uzbekistan.