On the eve of the matches of the 1st round of Group "C" of the U-23 Asian Cup, a press conference was held with the participation of the coaches of the national teams of Uzbekistan, Lebanon, Korea, and Iran. At the conference, the team's mood, preparation process, and approach to the first matches were clearly felt: there is no such thing as an "easy game" in this group.
The Uzbekistan youth national team was represented by head coach Ravshan Haydarov and footballer Saidumarxon Saidnurullayev, who answered journalists' questions. At the same time, the coaches of other teams in the group also expressed their views before the first round.
Korea: "The first match is crucial"
Korea national team head coach Lee Min-sung emphasized that the initial clash against Iran would be very serious.
According to him, the team is trying to play on the field as one, supporting each other. Lee Min-sung, recognizing Iran as a very strong opponent, emphasized the idea that "to achieve victory, it is necessary to pay maximum attention to the first game."
The Korean coach also noted that the group stage will become more complex from game to game. He noted that Iran's matches have been analyzed, especially since their offensive line is strong and well-formed. At the same time, it was emphasized that Korea should also respond appropriately, and if possible, it is important to be the first to open the score.
Speaking about the preparations, Lee Min-sung said that his team played 6 matches before the tournament, and through those matches, they found shortcomings and worked on their correction. In his opinion, the team is sufficiently prepared both physically and mentally.
Iran: "We respect the opponent, but we offer a fight"
Iranian national team head coach Omid Ravanhah first expressed his gratitude to the hosts and said that respected teams are gathered in the group. He emphasized that the first match was against Korea, and thorough preparations were made for it.
Ravanhah acknowledged that Korea has always been a strong team, but Iran also remained committed to its plan, stating that they would act based on the players' capabilities. The phrase "We respect the opponent, but we offer a fight" implied that Iran would not be passive on the field.
He also didn't hide the fact that each team in the group has its own style, which means there are tough clashes ahead. It was stated that the goal was to show the best performance in the match against Korea.
Lebanon: "Uzbekistan is the strongest in the group"
Lebanese national team head coach Jamal Taha thanked the hosts for the organization and noted that preparations were carried out according to plan over the past 10 days. He stated that Lebanon has worthy players who can play not only within the country but also abroad, and that there is a chance for success.
When journalists asked "Uzbekistan is strong in Asia, and Lebanon is participating in the competition for the first time," Jamal Taha directly admitted: the strongest team in the group is Uzbekistan.
He recalled that Uzbekistan won the championship in 2018 and reached the final in 2024. At the same time, Lebanon also said that it "will try to show its best game," having trained in Thailand and then arrived in Saudi Arabia. The conviction that "there is nothing absolutely impossible" also resonated at the conference.
Taha didn't hide the fact that there was little time for preparation, but he emphasized that the coaches knew the players' capabilities well and that the team would try to prove itself.
Uzbekistan: there is confidence, goals - high results
The head coach of the Uzbekistan U-23 national team, Ravshan Haydarov, said at the conference that he is glad to participate in the competition. He noted the high level of organization, expressed gratitude to the AFC and the local organizing committee, and wished all the teams good luck.
Khaydarov believes that strong teams are concentrated in the group: their experience and capabilities are known. Despite the fact that the team is participating with a young squad, the coach trusts his pupils. In a conversation with the players, he also mentioned that this tournament serves as a "bridge" for them.
Saidumarkhan Saidnurullayev noted that the preparation process went well: first in Tashkent, then in Qatar, adaptation was adequate. According to him, the main goal is to participate worthily in the competition and achieve a high result.
The conclusion is this: Group "C" looks like a real checkpoint. Korea considers the first match decisive, Iran is in a fighting mood, Lebanon openly recognized Uzbekistan as the group favorite, and Uzbekistan is entering the tournament with confidence and purpose. Now everything will be decided by the field - there's a lot to say, but 90 minutes will put everything in its place.
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