Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Songkhla: In-form Islamic Republic of Iran winger Mehdi Ghayedi believes his side are primed and ready to perform at the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020, despite being drawn to play holders Uzbekistan in their Group C opener on Thursday.
While Iran are hopeful of ending a long-standing Olympic qualification drought, Uzbekistan are defending the title they won in China two years ago, with six players from the successful 2018 squad selected again this time around.
With Korea Republic and China PR also looming in one of the tournament’s most imposing groups, the Hamid Estili-led side has little margin for error, but Ghayedi is confident Team Melli Omid will produce from day one.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
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.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Islamic Republic of Iran coach Hamid Estili will seek to keep his players focused on the task at hand as they attempt to overcome the pressure of an expectant nation and secure a berth at the Olympic Games for the first time in 43 years in the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020.
Despite a record at senior level that marks them out amongst the leaders of the continental game, the Iranians travel to Thailand with their eyes fixed on securing one of the three tickets for the Tokyo Olympics.
The Central Asian nation has not qualified for the Olympiad since featuring in Munich in 1972 and Estili concedes that fact brings with it added scrutiny on him and his players.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The young White Wolf, a solid pair of hands, and two players with European experience looking to finally fulfill their potential, are the ones to keep an eye on in Group C of the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020.
Songkhla is set to feature a feast of football with five of Group C's six fixtures taking place in southern Thailand. Taking to the field at Tinsulanon Stadium will be defending champions Uzbekistan, perennial contenders Korea Republic, China PR and Islamic Republic of Iran.
We have picked out four players capable of shining in Songkhla.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Omid Noorafkan believes desire can help the Islamic Republic of Iran achieve their dream at the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 as Team Melli prepare to return to the tournament for the first time since 2016.
The midfielder skippered the Central Asians as they advanced from a qualifying group that featured Iraq, Turkmenistan and Yemen after finishing as one of the best-placed runners up in March to book their ticket to the Continental competition, which also acts as the Olympic Games qualifiers.
Four years ago in Qatar, when Olympic qualification was also on the line, Iran progressed to the quarter-finals before defeat at the hands of Japan. After missing out on the U-23 showpiece in 2018, they return looking to go at least one better this time round a give themselves a chance of appearing at Tokyo 2020.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bangkok: The 2020 AFC U23 Championship is set to bring a festival of football for fans of the Continental game as 16 teams get ready to battle it out in three cities across Thailand.
While each match-up between some of the best young talents in Asia is set to be well worth watching, we have highlighted five ties among the 24 group stage fixtures that are of particular interest.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
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.