AFC U23 Asian Cup
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.
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.
Perfect Lions of Mesopotamia crowned champions
The maiden edition of the AFC U23 Asian Cup (then a U-22 competition) will be remembered for an incredible six-game winning run from Hakeem Shakir’s Iraq, who were coming off a fourth-place finish at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup six months earlier.
The maiden edition of the AFC U23 Asian Cup (then a U-22 competition) will be remembered for an incredible six-game winning run from Hakeem Shakir’s Iraq, who were coming off a fourth-place finish at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup six months earlier.
FINAL - Saudi Arabia vs Iraq: AFC U22 Championship 2014
A side featuring Mohanad Abdulraheem, Dhurgham Ismail and Jalal Hassan defeated Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and China PR in the group stage before solitary goals from Amjad Kalaf and Mustafa Nadhim saw off Japan and Korea Republic in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively.
That set up a second meeting with the Saudis to decide the destination of the title and it was Abdulraheem who stole the headlines, outpacing the Green Falcons’ defence before slotting home the only goal of the game as Iraq, who would go on to win bronze at the Asian Games later that year, were crowned inaugural champions.
That set up a second meeting with the Saudis to decide the destination of the title and it was Abdulraheem who stole the headlines, outpacing the Green Falcons’ defence before slotting home the only goal of the game as Iraq, who would go on to win bronze at the Asian Games later that year, were crowned inaugural champions.
The Stars
An Iranian side boasting a 21-year-old Alireza Beiranvand in goal and the tournament’s five-goal top scorer Kaveh Rezaei up front ultimately fell at the group stage after finishing behind Australia and Japan, with the displays from the Samurai Blue’s Shoya Nakajima laying the foundations for his MVP performance two years later.
An Iranian side boasting a 21-year-old Alireza Beiranvand in goal and the tournament’s five-goal top scorer Kaveh Rezaei up front ultimately fell at the group stage after finishing behind Australia and Japan, with the displays from the Samurai Blue’s Shoya Nakajima laying the foundations for his MVP performance two years later.
Elsewhere, Hwang Ui-jo was on the mark for Korea Republic as they reached the semi-finals, while Abdullah Otayf was among the stars of a young Saudi side that fell just short. It was Kalaf, however, who would pick up the MVP award after playing a pivotal role in his nation’s title-winning campaign.
Standout Match
Uzbekistan scoring twice in stoppage time to claim a come-from-behind 2-1 win over China PR provided unforgettable drama, but it was a 3-3 opening-game draw between continental giants Japan and the Islamic Republic of Iran that gets the nod.
Uzbekistan scoring twice in stoppage time to claim a come-from-behind 2-1 win over China PR provided unforgettable drama, but it was a 3-3 opening-game draw between continental giants Japan and the Islamic Republic of Iran that gets the nod.
Behnam Barzay gave Iran an early lead before goals from Riki Harakawa and Takuma Asano saw Japan head into the interval 2-1 in front. Rezaei bagged a brace as the pendulum swung back towards Team Melli before a beauty from Nakajima midway through the second half sealed a 3-3 draw.
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