AFC U17 Asian Cup 2023 Archive

The victory saw the young Samurai Blue take their goals tally to an incredible 22 in just six games as the East Asians took the overall number of goals scored in the tournament to 99 in 31 matches – a rate of just over three per game.

The-AFC.com has now selected eight of the best from the continental campaign and asks you, the fans of Asian football, to tell us which one is your favourite by voting in the poll below.

As the dust settles on an immensely successful competition featuring the continent's brightest talents, the-AFC.com highlights some of the facts and figures that stood out from Thailand 2023.

Nawata struck his first with a sublime free-kick just after Korea Republic had been reduced to 10 players while his second ended whatever hopes their East Asian rivals had of a comeback, with the player going on to scoop the Most Valuable Player and Cremo Top Goalscorer Awards. Yutaka Michiwaki netted the third in added time.

The triumph meant Moriyama added the AFC U17 Asian Cup title to the AFC U-16 Championship crown he guided Japan to in 2018.

It was a heartbreaking defeat for Korea Republic, who had held their own until Ko Jong-hyun was sent off just before the break after receiving a second yellow card.

Japan scored from the subsequent free-kick and as Korea Republic pushed forward in the second half, their East Asian rivals took advantage to score an emphatic win at the Pathum Thani Stadium.

The brace took Nawata's total to five goals in a tournament he played a major role in as Japan became the first team to have their named engraved on the newly-minted trophy.

Goto played a key role in Japan's campaign, which climaxed with a 3-0 win over Korea Republic in the final.

Gaku Nawata scored twice with Yutaka Michiwaki netting the third after Korea Republic had been reduced to 10 men in the 44th minute with Japan adding the title to the three AFC U-16 Championship crowns won previously.

The two teams have scored a staggering 34 goals between them with Korea Republic vying to end a 21-year wait to be champions at this age group level, while Japan are aiming to add the title to their record three AFC U-16 Championship crowns.