They topped Group D with three wins, before 1-0 triumphs over Japan and Korea Republic in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively, sealed them a place in the decider. 

 

Standing in their way of glory were Saudi Arabia, who had been beaten 3-1 by Iraq in the group stage, and the final was a much closer contest with Mohannad Abdul Raheem's 33rd minute strike settling the encounter with Korea Republic emerging third after a penalty shoot-out win over Jordan. 

Rebranded the AFC U23 Championship, the second edition was hosted by Qatar with the tournament also serving as the qualifiers for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. 

 

Japan, eliminated at the quarter-final stage in the inaugural edition, were faultless in the group stage as they cruised to three wins. 

They carried their form into the knockout stage, scoring three times against Islamic Republic of Iran in a quarter-final that needed extra-time before dethroning defending champions Iraq with a 2-1 win in their last four tie.

 

Awaiting them in the final were a Korea Republic side who had topped Group C before defeating Jordan (1-0) in the quarter-finals and Qatar (3-1) in the semi-finals.

 

Goals by Kwon Chang-hook (20th) and Jin Seong-guk (47th) made it seem like Korea Republic were cruising to the title but Takuma Asano narrowed the deficit in the 66th minute.

 

Shinji Yajima struck two minutes later and the astonishing comeback was completed in the 81st minute with Asano netting his second of the game. Iraq finished third after a 2-1 win over Qatar.

Although no Olympic spots were at stake in the 2018 edition hosted by China PR, the tournament was another resounding success.

 

Defending champions Japan were eliminated in the quarter-finals but the continent saw the rise of Uzbekistan and Vietnam, who both advanced to the final with determination and resilience.

 

Uzbekistan finished second behind Qatar in Group A with Vietnam advancing as the Group D runners-up behind Korea Republic.

Uzbekistan produced their best form in the knockout stage, defeating Japan 4-0 in the quarter-finals and Korea Republic 4-1 in the semi-finals. Vietnam had to do it the hard way, edging Iraq and then Qatar on penalties to make the final. 

 

Despite being played under harsh conditions, the final lived up to expectations with Rustamjon Ashurmatov giving Uzbekistan an eighth minute lead, only for Nguyen Quang Hai to draw Vietnam level with a superb free-kick. 

 

Substitute Andrey Sidorov, however, struck the winner in the final minute of extra-time as Uzbekistan took the title. Qatar finished third after a 1-0 win over Korea Republic. 

Having suffered semi-final and final heartache in all the previous editions, Korea Republic roared to the 2020 title.

 

A perfect campaign saw them top Group C and that was followed by a 2-1 win over Jordan in the quarter-finals and a 2-0 victory over Australia in the semi-finals.

 

Saudi Arabia, who advanced to the knockout stage as the Group B winners before beating hosts Thailand (1-0) and defending champions Uzbekistan (1-0) in the quarters and semis respectively, awaited them in the final.

Having twice fallen in the final, there was no stopping Saudi Arabia in 2022, with the tournament rebranded to the AFC U23 Asian Cup, as they clinched the title without  conceding a single goal.

 

The only blemish was a goalless draw with Japan on Matchday Two as the West Asians took the tournament by storm.