Group C head coaches talk to the media ahead of AFC U23 Championship 2020 start

With Uzbekistan aiming to defend their 2018 crown, and Olympic qualification awaiting three teams, there will be plenty on the line as Asia’s burgeoning stars begin a new decade.

Not since 1976 has Iran been represented in the Olympic football tournament, but a new generation of talented youngsters are hopeful of ending the drought as one of the three Asian sides to join Japan at Tokyo 2020.

While Estili acknowledged Team Melli Omid’s struggles in years gone by at this age level, he believes the stars are aligning for his well-prepared squad, who will begin their campaign against the competition’s defending champions at Tinsulanon Stadium.

“Iran’s national team is usually among the top teams in Asia in the rankings,” said Estili, who famously scored the opening goal in Iran’s 2-1 win against the United States at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

“We are a really strong, but in this age – U-23s, especially qualifying for the Olympic Games – we have had problems for many years with the calendar. The games were usually not falling on FIFA days where we had all of our best players available."

“It was a big problem that we had before, because the clubs needed their players and couldn’t give them to us. But this time, starting from two years ago, we brought the players together and had many training camps and friendly matches with all of the players.

“I believe the past situation has now changed and we have a new chance to do well in this competition.”

Estili’s confidence is powered by a number of rising stars, many of whom come into the tournament with growing reputations as stars of the future, if not the present.

Omid Noorafkan and Mehdi Ghayedi have been standout players in the nation’s domestic league this season, while Mohammad Mohebbi and Turkey-based Allahyar Sayyadmanesh have already received senior caps, creating a belief that Iran can prosper despite being drawn in a tough group also containing China PR and Korea Republic.

“I think all four teams in this group have a chance to qualify for the next round,” declared Estili. “We know Uzbekistan very well and we know they have a good coach and players.

“We selected the best Iranian players in our Pro League and they deserve to be here. They have worked hard, and they want to give their best.

“We are Iran, and we know what we want to do.”

Uzbekistan

While Iran look to buck a generational trend, Uzbekistan would be happy with more of the same after they won the Continental title in China two years ago.

Six of the title-winning squad from 2018 have returned, but they have a new coach in former FC Porto and Benfica star Ljubinko Drulovic, who aims to guide the Central Asian nation to the Olympics for the first time.

Five consecutive wins within the last month, and a healthy 23-man squad to choose from means Drulovic has ideal conditions to work with in that pursuit, but he insisted his side is focused only on Iran, and not the challenges to follow.

“Our group is very difficult, with four very difficult teams, but we were preparing for this,” he said.

“At this moment, we are focused on the first game against Iran. After that we can prepare for the other two games.

“I think we have a chance, and we have good quality, but our opponents are very, very competitive.”

Uzbekistan will be hoping for a strong showing from in-form striker Bobir Abdixolikov, who comes into the tournament having scored a bagful of goals in friendly matches over the last three weeks, including a hat-trick against Iraq last month and a brace against Qatar in Bangkok on Friday.

Korea Republic have never missed the semi-finals of the competition and, having appeared in every Olympic Games football tournament since 1984, hold high hopes of delivering another strong performance in Thailand.

With the long build-up which began with last March’s Qualifiers finally at an end, Kim believes his side couldn’t be better prepared for the challenge to come.

“We are ready,” said the 2018 Asian Games gold medal-winning boss, who spent a season coaching Henan Construction in the Chinese Super League almost a decade ago.

“We’re well prepared for this tournament. I wouldn’t tell you all of the details in this press conference, but me and my players are ready.

“China are a good team with a good quality head coach, but I think we are well prepared.”

While China is the first step on the road to the knockout stage, the presence of both Uzbekistan and Islamic Republic of Iran makes Group C one of the tournament’s toughest.

Uzbekistan are defending champions, while Iran feature some of the continent’s most promising young players, and Kim said it will take a strong team to advance beyond the group stage.

“Our group is a tough group of good teams, and we are looking forward to having great matches with high quality,” he declared.

“Each team in our group deserves to advance in the tournament, but we are preparing well, and we are ready to secure our ticket for the (Olympic) tournament.

“It is important, for all teams, to play the first much really well, but every team in our group is a really tough one, and I would say for any team to qualify, they will need to have a lot of good qualities.

“It is going to be tough for the team, because it’s our first game of the competition, but I believe our players will do quite well.”

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China

While Korea Republic have won an Olympic medal within the last decade, and are regular contenders in Asia, China PR have won just one AFC U23 Championship match in three editions of the tournament and are yet to reach the knockout stage.

The Chinese class of 2020, coached by former women’s national team coach Hao Wei after being led through qualification by Guus Hiddink, has travelled far and wide in preparation for this competition and includes several players with ample Chinese Super League experience, including league assist-leader Yang Liyu.

Hao is wary of his highly-rated opponents, but believes China also need to utilise their own attacking power against the Koreans.

“I think it’s both,” declared Hao. “We need show our own style, but we also need to tailor our strategy according to our opponents. Korea is a strong team and we have done our analysis of them. We will show what we have tomorrow.

“All of our players are quite positive. They are young and positive, and we have a strategy to get the ticket to the Olympic Games.”