Besides a comprehensive overview of the teams’ performances, the publication comprises several interesting segments, including a conversation with winning coach Go Oiwa and a deep dive into the technical and tactical trends recorded by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s Technical Observers’ Team.

In the sit-down with Japan’s Oiwa, who became the first coach to win two consecutive editions of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™, readers get a glimpse into the mind of the 53-year-old and the coaching philosophy that underpinned his decision to utilise the entire squad in orchestrating the young Samurai Blue's title-winning campaign.

Under Technical Topics, the experts draw attention to several defining characteristics of the competition, ranging from varying squad age profiles and the proclivity of certain teams to take risks while others remain content with adopting a cautious approach, to the lack of dependency on pure strikers to find the back of the net.

Meanwhile, other observations include goal scoring analyses and an examination of the central role of goalkeepers in the competition, with four different custodians picking up MVP awards over the course of the tournament.

Additionally, the Team Profile section provides a compact synopsis of each participating side’s journey in the competition, giving fans an opportunity to revisit the performance of their favourite teams.

 

The publication also highlights the various activities undertaken to ensure the cast of 53 officials who oversaw matches in the competition could discharge their duties to the best of their abilities.

 

Replete with interesting data and technical insight from some of Asia’s best-known experts, the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Technical Report, available here, is not only a guide for technical observers across the Continent but also makes for a compelling read for the millions of fans of Asian football.