Arnold satisfied as Australia, Korea Republic draw practice match

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Arnold satisfied as Australia, Korea Republic draw practice match

Kuala Lumpur: Australia and Korea Republic played to a 1-1 draw in a practice match at the Kuala Lumpur Stadium on Friday ahead of the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020.

Both teams are aiming to win the AFC U23 Championship for the first time and Australia head coach Graham Arnold expressed his satisfaction with the performance of his players.

ACL has prepared me for Thailand 2020, says Korea Republic's Dae-won

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

ACL has prepared me for Thailand 2020, says Korea Republic's Dae-won

Daegu: Korea Republic U-23 star Kim Dae-won excelled in 2019's AFC Champions League with club Daegu FC. And the exciting forward, with a knack for spectacular goals, believes his inaugural Continental club competition appearance has set him up nicely for next week's AFC U23 Championship.

Despite having already begun his professional career as a 19-year-old in 2016, last year's campaign proved to be a banner year for Kim who shot to prominence on the Continental club stage as part of an exciting Daegu FC side who made headlines in their AFC Champions League debut.

Deng: Graham Arnold has us ready for Thailand 2020

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Deng: Graham Arnold has us ready for Thailand 2020

Kuala Lumpur: Australia are keen to make up for previous disappointments at the AFC U23 Championship and, ahead of Thailand 2020, veteran squad member Thomas Deng believes that under Graham Arnold the Olyroos could fulfill their potential.

Three editions of the AFC U23 Championship have come and gone and Australia, one of the heavyweights of the Continental game, are yet to better their quarter-final appearance since the inaugural tournament in Oman.

Indeed, when Olympic qualification was on the line at the 2016 tournament two years later, things got worse: they were unable to progress from the Group Stage.

Uzbekistan notch another win to complete perfect build-up

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Uzbekistan notch another win to complete perfect build-up

Bangkok: Holders Uzbekistan will begin their AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 campaign in red-hot form after completing their pre-tournament warm-up schedule with a 3-1 win over Qatar at SCG Stadium on Friday.

The win follows earlier successes against fellow Thailand 2020 participants Iraq, who Uzbekistan beat 4-2 and 3-1 in a pair of friendlies in Sharjah last week.

Ljubinko Drulovic’s side also beat two Emirati club sides – Al Arabi and Al Hamriyah – taking theit tally to five consecutive wins and 18 goals scored in the last two and a half weeks.

Group A: Know Your Teams

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Group A: Know Your Teams

Bangkok: As host nation Thailand prepare to lock horns with Iraq, Australia and Bahrain at January’s AFC U23 Championship, there appears little to choose between Group A’s quartet of title contenders.

Ahead of Wednesday’s opening matches, when Iraq face Australia and Thailand take on Bahrain, join the-AFC.com as we begin our detailed look at the teams vying for Continental glory across four venues in Thailand.

The top two sides in Group A will qualify for the quarter-finals, while the tournament’s top three finishers will earn places at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Group B: Know Your Teams

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Group B: Know Your Teams

Bangkok: Qatar will have their hands full in Group B of the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 as they face challenge in the form of Japan, Saudi Arabia and Syria. 

Group B contenders, Qatar, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Syria, will kick off their campaigns in Bangkok on January 9, but before the teams cross paths, join the-AFC.com as we explore how they got here.

The top two sides in Group B will qualify for the quarter-finals, while the tournament’s top three finishers will earn places at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Group C: Know Your Teams

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Group C: Know Your Teams

Bangkok: With the defending champions and three of the continent’s footballing heavyweights all present, Group C looks set to produce some AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020’s must-see matches.

With just four days remaining until the tournament begins, join the-AFC.com for a look at the key names from Uzbekistan, Korea Republic, China PR and Islamic Republic of Iran.

The top two sides in Group C will advance to the quarter-finals, while the tournament’s top three finishers will qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.