Road to Final: Iraq

Wed, 15 Mar, 2023

Road to Final: Iraq

Tashkent:  Iraq will appear in their first AFC U20 Asian Cup™ final since emerging runners-up in 2012.

The West Asian side, however, are bidding to win the title for the sixth time - having previously lifted the trophy in 1975, 1977, 1978, 1988 and 2000.
 
Join the-AFC.com as we look back at how Emad Mohammed's side advanced to the Uzbekistan 2023 final. 

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_asian_cup/video/afcu20_-_group_a_|_indonesia_idn_0_-_2_iraq_irq.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_asian_cup/video/afcu20_-_group_a_|_iraq_irq_0_-_1_uzbekistan_uzb.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_asian_cup/video/afcu20_-_group_a_|_iraq_irq_1_-_1_syria_syr.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_asian_cup/video/afcu20_-_qf_|_islamic_republic_of_iran_irn_0-1_iraq_irq.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_asian_cup/video/afcu20_-_sf_|__iraq_2_5_-_3_2_japan.html

Preview - Final: Uzbekistan v Iraq

Sat, 18 Mar, 2023

Preview - Final: Uzbekistan v Iraq

Tashkent: Uzbekistan head coach Ravshan Khaydarov will make a late decision on whether to include striker Polutkhoja Kholdorkonov in his starting line-up for the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 final at Bunyodkor Stadium on Saturday.

The hosts take on five-time champions Iraq with question marks over the fitness of their first-choice forward, who limped off after 20 minutes of their semi-final win over Korea Republic on Wednesday evening.

Uzbekistan were unable to find a way past the Koreans during 90 minutes of normal time and 30 additional minutes, meaning Khaydarov’s side needed a second successive penalty shoot-out to progress after eliminating Australia in similar fashion in the quarter-finals.

Road to Final: Uzbekistan

Thu, 16 Mar, 2023

Road to Final: Uzbekistan

Tashkent: Uzbekistan are one match away from winning the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ title for the first time.

Set to play the final of the 2023 edition before their passionate fans at the Bunyodkor Stadium on Saturday, Uzbekistan will feel this is their best opportunity to lay their hands on the trophy.
 
Join the-AFC.com as we take look at how Ravshan Khaydarov's Uzbekistan reached the final. 

Partisan fans not an issue for Talib, Rahmonaliyev calls for focus

Fri, 17 Mar, 2023

Partisan fans not an issue for Talib, Rahmonaliyev calls for focus

Tashkent: Defender Adam Talib will look to lead by example and shut out the fevered atmosphere at Bunyodkor Stadium on Saturday as Iraq take on Uzbekistan and the partisan home crowd in the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 final.

Another full house is expected for the tournament decider with the vast majority in the 34,000 crowd backing the hosts, increasing the challenge for Emad Mohammed and his team as they look to claim Iraq’s first title at this level since 2000.
 
The Iraqis, however, have already experienced the unique Bunyodkor Stadium atmosphere and Talib is confident that familiarity will allow him and his teammates to overcome the hostility to win the trophy.

Mohammed yearning for more than just glory for Iraq

Fri, 17 Mar, 2023

Mohammed yearning for more than just glory for Iraq

Tashkent: Emad Mohammed will have the chance to relive past glories when his Iraq side take on Uzbekistan in the AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023 final on Saturday.

An 18-year-old Mohammed played a starring role in Iraq lifting the title in 2000, the last of their five triumphs, and he is now one match away from doing it as coach.
 
While the Mohammed-led Iraqi triumph of 2000 was an amazing achievement, what he has accomplished as the Uzbekistan 2023 squad's head coach is no short of a miracle.

Khaydarov poised to add another chapter to Uzbekistan history

Fri, 17 Mar, 2023

Khaydarov poised to add another chapter to Uzbekistan history

Tashkent: Uzbekistan AFC U20 Asian Cup™ head coach Ravshan Khaydarov is one match away from further consolidating himself in his country's footballing history.

Khaydarov was in charge when Uzbekistan emerged champions of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ China 2018 but his ability to produce results at the age group level stretches well before that.