AFC U23 Asian Cup
It was a tournament that lived up to expectations with exciting action from the first to the final blow of the whistle.
The-AFC.com picks out several facts and figures that caught the eye.
The-AFC.com picks out several facts and figures that caught the eye.
Superb Japan
Japan added another chapter to the history of the tournament by becoming not only the first back-to-back champions but also three-time winners. It was a richly deserved triumph as Go Oiwa's men hardly put a foot wrong, with only Jordan giving them a run for their money in the quarter-finals. Japan scored a tournament leading 16 goals and with most of their players eligible for the 2028 edition, they will be favourites to lift the trophy for a fourth time.
Goal-den show
There may have been several goalless draws but it was a tournament filled with goals, with 73 scored as the continent's rising talent put their best foot forward. The highest scoring match was Korea Republic's 4-2 win against Lebanon in Group C while Japan kicked off their Group B campaign with a 5-0 defeat of Syria.
Japan added another chapter to the history of the tournament by becoming not only the first back-to-back champions but also three-time winners. It was a richly deserved triumph as Go Oiwa's men hardly put a foot wrong, with only Jordan giving them a run for their money in the quarter-finals. Japan scored a tournament leading 16 goals and with most of their players eligible for the 2028 edition, they will be favourites to lift the trophy for a fourth time.
Goal-den show
There may have been several goalless draws but it was a tournament filled with goals, with 73 scored as the continent's rising talent put their best foot forward. The highest scoring match was Korea Republic's 4-2 win against Lebanon in Group C while Japan kicked off their Group B campaign with a 5-0 defeat of Syria.
Shoot on sight
There was no holding back from the attacking players as it was a case of shoot on sight. Japan, naturally, led the statistics with 97 with Korea Republic (80), Uzbekistan (60) and Saudi Arabia (59) the next highest teams. Jordan's exciting Ali Al Azaizeh (pictured above) was the player who attempted the most, with 12.
Defensive frailties
Surprisingly, losing semi-finalists Vietnam and Korea Republic conceded the most number of goals at eight each. Japan were extremely tight at the back, with only Jordan being able to breach their defence in the quarter-finals.
There was no holding back from the attacking players as it was a case of shoot on sight. Japan, naturally, led the statistics with 97 with Korea Republic (80), Uzbekistan (60) and Saudi Arabia (59) the next highest teams. Jordan's exciting Ali Al Azaizeh (pictured above) was the player who attempted the most, with 12.
Defensive frailties
Surprisingly, losing semi-finalists Vietnam and Korea Republic conceded the most number of goals at eight each. Japan were extremely tight at the back, with only Jordan being able to breach their defence in the quarter-finals.
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Pass masters
Korea Republic, however, were top of the charts in terms of passes with the 2020 champions registering a total 3,443 across the six matches they played. Japan (2,890), Vietnam (2,421) and China PR (2,048) were the next highest. Korea Republic duo Shin Min-ha (489) and Lee Hyun-yong (476) had the highest individual tallies.
Accurate
Islamic Republic of Iran did not get past the group stage but the Central Asian nation had the best passing percentage with 89 percent. Korea Republic (86%), Japan and Saudi Arabia (both 84%) also had pretty decent tallies.
Korea Republic, however, were top of the charts in terms of passes with the 2020 champions registering a total 3,443 across the six matches they played. Japan (2,890), Vietnam (2,421) and China PR (2,048) were the next highest. Korea Republic duo Shin Min-ha (489) and Lee Hyun-yong (476) had the highest individual tallies.
Accurate
Islamic Republic of Iran did not get past the group stage but the Central Asian nation had the best passing percentage with 89 percent. Korea Republic (86%), Japan and Saudi Arabia (both 84%) also had pretty decent tallies.
Clean sheets
That China PR and Japan contested the title shouldn't have come as a surprise, with both keeping five clean sheets each. While Jordan scored against Japan in the quarter-finals, China PR advanced to the final without conceding, thanks mainly to the heroics of custodian Li Hao.
Run ends
Uzbekistan's quarter-final exit meant the Central Asian side missed out on the semi-finals for the first time in five editions, having emerged champions in 2018 and runners-up in 2022 and 2024. Korea Republic, meanwhile, made a return to the last four stage for the first time since lifting the title in 2020, having qualified for the semi-finals in the first four editions.
That China PR and Japan contested the title shouldn't have come as a surprise, with both keeping five clean sheets each. While Jordan scored against Japan in the quarter-finals, China PR advanced to the final without conceding, thanks mainly to the heroics of custodian Li Hao.
Run ends
Uzbekistan's quarter-final exit meant the Central Asian side missed out on the semi-finals for the first time in five editions, having emerged champions in 2018 and runners-up in 2022 and 2024. Korea Republic, meanwhile, made a return to the last four stage for the first time since lifting the title in 2020, having qualified for the semi-finals in the first four editions.
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