#AFCU23: Most Valuable Players

Sat, 06 Apr, 2024

#AFCU23: Most Valuable Players

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ is all set to kick off on April 15 with the stage set for some of the continent’s brightest talents to help earn their nations a place at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Over the years, the tournament has featured players who have inspired their countries to one of Asian football’s most prestigious titles and finished the campaign not only as a champion but also with the Most Valuable Player accolade.
 
From Amjad Kalaf’s stunning display in the first-ever tournament to Ayman Yahya dazzling in 2022, the-AFC.com looks back at the five players who have been named the AFC U23 Asian Cup MVP.

#AFCU23: 2022 revisited

Fri, 12 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23: 2022 revisited

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ is fast approaching with the 16 teams in the final phase of preparations for the continental showpiece.

As we edge closer to the tournament, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on the 2022 edition.

#AFCU23: 2020 revisited

Thu, 11 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23: 2020 revisited

Kuala Lumpur: With the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ kicking off in a matter of weeks, we continue our look back at the previous editions of the tournament.

The focus on the latest installment of the series is the 2020 edition, which also offered three spots to the Tokyo Olympics. 

#AFCU23: 2018 revisited

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23: 2018 revisited

Kuala Lumpur: As we edge closer to the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™, we continue our flashback of a tournament that has never failed to thrill. 

Having taken a look at the 2013 and 2016 editions, we shift out focus to the 2018 edition that was played under challenging conditions in China PR.

#AFCU23: 2016 revisited

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23: 2016 revisited

Kuala Lumpur: As the countdown to the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ gathers pace, we continue our trip down memory lane of a tournament that has witnessed the rise of many of the continent's standout players.

Having looked at the 2013 edition won by Iraq, we shift our attention to the 2016 tournament which was hosted by Qatar.  

#AFCU23: 2013 revisited

Mon, 08 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23: 2013 revisited

Kuala Lumpur: The seventh edition of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ is set to kick off in Saudi Arabia on January 6 as 16 teams converge on the cities of Jeddah and Riyadh with some of the hottest prospects in Asian football set to be on show.

Stars such as Takumi Minamino, Alireza Beiranvand, Hwang Hee-chan, Chanathip Songkrasin and Almoez Ali are among the big names to have featured in a competition that has delivered numerous magical moments over the years. 

To whet the appetite ahead of one of the Asian Football Confederation’s showpiece tournaments, we look back at the previous editions of the AFC U23 Asian Cup - starting with 2013.

Byeon targets second title for Korea Republic

Fri, 05 Apr, 2024

Byeon targets second title for Korea Republic

Incheon: Captain Byeon Jun-soo is aiming to lead his Korea Republic team to go all the way in the upcoming AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™.

The tournament also serves as the Olympics qualifier with the top three teams earning a place in Paris 2024 while the fourth-placed side will face Guinea in a playoff.

However, Byeon does not want his teammates to be fixated on reaching the Olympics but to emulate the 2020 squad who won the AFC U23 Asian Cup in Thailand.

Kapadze has high expectations for Uzbekistan

Wed, 03 Apr, 2024

Kapadze has high expectations for Uzbekistan

Tashkent: Head coach Timur Kapadze has set lofty targets for Uzbekistan ahead of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™.

With the tournament, which kicks off on April 15, also serving as the pathway to the Olympic Games, Kapadze expects Uzbekistan to be challenging for the title as well as a place in Paris 2024. 

#AFCU23: Historical Facts & Figures

Sun, 31 Mar, 2024

#AFCU23: Historical Facts & Figures

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ kicks off on April 15 with 16 teams vying to lift the coveted trophy.

As the teams enter their final phase of preparations and excitement begins to build, the-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts and figures from the previous editions of the tournament.