Continental glory and Olympics qualification up for grabs at Thailand 2020
A total of 16 teams will look to succeed Uzbekistan following their 2-1 triumph over Vietnam two years ago and Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the AFC President, has sent his best wishes to the Continent’s future stars.
Thailand 2020 - Know Your Group A Teams
The action starts on Wednesday in Group A where Thailand, with former Japan head coach Akira Nishino in charge, will look to make the most of the home support as they bid to progress. Thailand have been drawn alongside Australia, Bahrain and U23 heavyweights Iraq, who claimed the title in 2013 and finished third three years later.
Thailand 2020 - Know Your Group B Teams
Group B features a Qatar side - under the guidance of 2019 AFC Asian Cup winner Felix Sanchez – who are eager to improve on their U23 2018 performance when, with Almoez Ali and Akram Afif to the fore, beat Korea Republic to finish third. Al Annabi will have 2016 title winners Japan and the West Asian duo of Saudi Arabia and Syria for company.
Thailand 2020 - Know Your Group C Teams
Ljubinko Drulovic’s reigning champions Uzbekistan begin their title defence in Group C where, alongside 2016 runners-up Korea Republic, China PR and the Islamic Republic of Iran, they will attempt to become the first team to retain the title.
In the other action, Vietnam, whose journey to the 2018 final was no less than remarkable, feature in a tough looking Group D that will also have DPR Korea, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates vying to go through to the quarter-finals.
Thailand 2020 - Know Your Group D Teams
The competition runs from January 8 until 26, 2020 with the Video Assistant Referee system (VAR) being used throughout, the teams finishing first and second in each of the four groups will progress into the knockout phase from where the top three sides are guaranteed spots at this year’s Olympic Games..
The matches are scheduled to be played at four venues in Thailand, namely Bangkok’s iconic Rajamangala Stadium – which will play host to the final – the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani, Songkhla’s Tinsulanon Stadium and the Buriram Stadium.
VAR Explained
The three previous editions of the tournament have all featured players who have subsequently developed into key performers for both club and country. Players such as Japanese ace Shoya Nakajima, Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand and Thai dynamo Chanathip Songkrasin have all gone on to become superstars of Asian football after gracing the AFC U23 Championship.
This time, and with dual targets in their sights, there promises to be yet more drama in store for Asia’s next generation of stars as they seek to etch their own names in the history books.
Source: The-AFC.com
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