U-23 Asian Cup: 16 finalists and draw date announced

The names of all 16 teams that qualified for the final stage of the U-23 Asian Cup, which will be held next year in Saudi Arabia, have been officially announced. The draw will take place on October 2 in Kuala Lumpur. This stage marks a historic debut for Lebanon and the Kyrgyz Republic - both teams reached the final for the first time.

The overall picture of the tournament is clear: the style of the host field, the new generation in youth football, and the full rotation of the teams add exciting intrigue to the tournament. The pots in the draw will be determined after official confirmation, but the preliminary squad, which entered the 16th, was announced to the fans today.

Below is the list of 16 finalists participating in the U-23 Asian Cup:

• Host:

- Saudi Arabia

• Group winners:

- A: Jordan

- B: Japan

- C: Vietnam

- D: Australia

- E: Kyrgyz Republic

- F: Thailand

- G: Iraq

- H: Qatar

- I: Iran

- J: South Korea

- K: Syria

• Top runners-up:

- D: China

- E: Uzbekistan

- F: Lebanon

- I: UAE (United Arab Emirates)

This composition adds to the championship's diversity at the level of strong classes: traditional favorites such as Japan and South Korea, in the center an experienced lineup of Iraq - Qatar - Iran, the "speed+discipline" model of Vietnam and Thailand from Southeast Asia, as well as the debuting Kyrgyz Republic and the new breath of Lebanon. Teams like China and the UAE can offer a high-pressure game that combines physics and technology.

One of the main questions for fans before the draw is which group will become the "death group"? The route from which the host Saudi Arabia will start, potential clashes with giants like Japan and South Korea, as well as the winning formula - everything will become clearer at the ceremony on October 2nd.

Conclusion: the road to the continent's most prestigious youth tournament is full. The draw intrigue has begun, the 16th is ready - now it's time to open the page. At the start of the competition, each episode, each standard, and each one-on-one fight will be worth a ticket.

Shuhrat Razzakov

Editor of «ZAMIN.UZ»