Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Buriram: For AFC U23 championship ever-presents DPR Korea, success means bettering their sole quarter-finals finish in 2016 to put themselves in contention for a place in Tokyo 2020.
Two disappointing group stage exits in 2013 and 2018 were separated by a run into the final eight that was ended by an extra-time defeat at the hands of 2016 hosts Qatar.
Kim Kum-chul spearheads a new generation of players aiming to take DPR Korea into the Olympics for the first time since Montreal 1976.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/dpr_korea_u23_team_training.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Buriram: Two years on from their runners-up finish in China PR, Vietnam go into the 2020 edition of the AFC U23 Championship as one of the favourites. And in Nguyen Tien Linh, they have a man who could well be the difference between silver and gold for them.
Back in January 2018, the Golden Stars were within seconds of a penalty shootout against Uzbekistan when Andrey Sodorov struck late in extra time to end the Vietnamese dreams of continental glory.
In the two years since, Vietnam lifted the 2018 AFF Cup, reached the quarter-finals of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, won the 2019 SEA Games gold and added more talents to their ranks including 22-year-old Tien Linh.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Buriram: A bit-part player in the 2018 AFC U23 Championship, midfielder Noor Al Rawabdeh has now grown into Jordan captain and the glue that holds coach Ahmed Abdulkadir’s side together as they look to make the dreams of a nation come true.
Jordan’s best performance at the competition came in 2013 when they navigated a group featuring hosts Oman alongside Korea Republic and Myanmar, before overcoming the United Arab Emirates in the quarter-finals en route to a semi-final defeat to Saudi Arabia and a shoot-out victory over Korea Republic that handed Al Nashama the bronze medal.
Since then, performances have been mixed and results unsatisfactory, but in 2020, and with several players boasting prior experience in the tournament and in other AFC competitions, Jordan are better placed than ever to go far.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Buriram: Vietnam, runners-up from the previous edition, are joined by 2013 bronze-medallists Jordan as well as DPR Korea and the UAE in pursuit of two quarter-final tickets, and ultimately maiden continental glory.
Rounding up our detailed profiles of the 16 teams battling for the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020, join the-AFC.com as we look at the four sides kicking-off the final group hosted by Buriram starting on Friday.
In addition to the honour and prestige of being crowned continental champions at U23 level, the tournament offers three spots at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, meaning there will be plenty at stake at every stage of the competition.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: A forward who's shining for the Golden Stars, an Emirati and Korean full of promise and a goalkeeper poised to one day take over from the legendary Amer Shafi, Group D will have bags of potential on display at the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020.
While Vietnam will start the campaign as favourites, there's plenty to suggest talented Jordan, United Arab Emirates and DPR Korea sides can challenge the Southeast Asians in what looks an intriguing group.
As the four sides chase two knockout round qualification spots, here's the-AFC.com's pick of the players to look out for.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bangkok: The 2020 AFC U23 Championship is set to bring a festival of football for fans of the Continental game as 16 teams get ready to battle it out in three cities across Thailand.
While each match-up between some of the best young talents in Asia is set to be well worth watching, we have highlighted five ties among the 24 group stage fixtures that are of particular interest.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 just a few weeks away, we look back at some of the finest goals the competition has seen since it kicked off in Oman in early 2014.
Featuring some of Asia's finest modern-day talent, including the 2018 AFC Player of the Year Abdelkarim Hassan, Japan's Shoya Nakajima and Vietnam's Nguyen Quang Hai, our selection offers the perfect way to whet your appetite ahead of the fourth edition of the tournament early next year.
After viewing the goals, tell us which is your favourite by casting your vote at the bottom of the article, before it ends on December 22, 14:30 hours (UTC +8).