Qatar gear up for Uzbekistan in opener

The AFC U-23 Championship in China begins tomorrow, with Qatar taking onUzbekistan in a Group A match tomorrow. Here is a look at the fourteams from Group A. QatarBest finish: Fourth (2016)How they qualified: Winners – Group C It is testament to the quality in Qatar’s youth set up that afourth-place finish at the 2016 AFC U23 Championship on home soil wasdeemed a disappointment as defeat in the third-place play-off to Iraqmeant they failed to qualify for the Olympics. The core of FelixSanchez’s squad for the 2018 edition is formed by players who were partof the 2016 campaign and have been coached by Sanchez since the U-19category.Led by the likes of Akram Afif and Ahmed Moein, this group of playersfirst shone at the 2014 AFC U-19 Championship, where substitute Afifheaded the winner in a 1-0 victory against DPR Korea in the final andskipper Moein was named the tournament’s MVP. The strong performance at the 2016 AFC U23 Championship was proof of thegradual progress of a generation that is key to Qatar’s plans ofdeveloping a strong squad for 2022, when they will host the FIFA WorldCup.In addition to Afif and Moein, the squad features Almoez Ali, who hasscored for Al Duhail in the AFC Champions League, and Assim Madibo, whocurrently plays alongside Afif for Belgian first division side KASEupen. Placed in Group C of the qualifiers, Qatar defeated Turkmenistanand India, before drawing with Syria to secure top spot and automaticqualification for the finals.China PRBest finish: Group stage (2014, 2016)How they qualified: As hosts Having exited at the group stage of the past two editions of thecompetition without picking up a point, China will be seeking animprovement this time out on home soil. After a disappointing campaignin Oman in 2014, the East Asians were intent on a better performance atthe second edition in Qatar in 2016. But had a tough time, losing alltheir league matches. Despite qualifying as hosts for the 2018 edition, China also took partin Group J of the qualification campaign in Phnom Penh.  A 0-0 drawagainst hosts Cambodia was followed by a 2-0 win over the Philippinesbefore China impressively saw off defending champions Japan 2-1 to topthe standings. The goalscorers were two players who could well beleading lights at China 2018, Shanghai SIPG winger Wei Shihao andBeijing Renhe defender Deng Hanwen, who have both been capped for thesenior team. Leading the line ahead of them is likely to be WerderBremen loanee Zhang Yuning.UzbekistanBest finish: Group stage (2014, 2016)How they qualified: Winners – Group DUzbekistan qualified for the AFC U23 Championship by topping Group Dwith a 100 percent record after beating hosts UAE 2-0 in Al Ain. Despitehaving progressed to the two previous editions, the Uzbeks have yet toreach the knockout stages, but will hope with former Uzbekistan headcoach Ravshan Khaydarov in charge, things can be different this time.Two years ago in Doha, the young White Wolves were knocked out in thegroup stages. This time round in the Group D qualifying matches in theUAE, Uzbekistan won their opening game 3-1 against Lebanon and then beatNepal 2-0 to set up a winner-takes-all clash with the hosts. Uzbekdefender Islomjon Kobilov headed in Jasurbek Yakhshiboev’s corner on 67minutes as Uzbeks made sure of their qualification for the AFC U23Championship with a second from Javokir Sidikov. OmanBest finish: Group stage (2014)How they qualified: Winners – Group AHosts of the inaugural edition of the competition, Oman could be amongthe surprise contenders in China as they aim to build on theirimpressive qualifying campaign where they topped Group A, ahead ofpowerhouse Iran. Four years ago on home soil, the Sultanate defeatedMyanmar 4-0 in the opening game but exited after defeats to Jordan andKorea Republic, before missing out on the 2016 AFC U23 Championship.In the qualifying tournament for this edition, in the Kyrgyz Republic,Hamad al-Azani’s team were led by promising forwards Muhsin al-Ghassaniand Jameel ak-Yahmadi. In their opening game against the hosts, Oman won5-1 victory. Against Iran, it was the double act of al-Yahmadi andal-Ghassani who came up with the goals to clinch a 2-0 win and sealOman’s return to the finals for the first time since hosting theinaugural edition.Qatar under-23 players train in Changzhou, China yesterday.Qatar gear up for Uzbekistan in openerThe AFC U-23 Championship in China begins tomorrow, with Qatar taking onUzbekistan in a Group A match tomorrow. Here is a look at the fourteams from Group A. QatarBest finish: Fourth (2016)How they qualified: Winners – Group C It is testament to the quality in Qatar’s youth set up that afourth-place finish at the 2016 AFC U23 Championship on home soil wasdeemed a disappointment as defeat in the third-place play-off to Iraqmeant they failed to qualify for the Olympics. The core of FelixSanchez’s squad for the 2018 edition is formed by players who were partof the 2016 campaign and have been coached by Sanchez since the U-19category.Led by the likes of Akram Afif and Ahmed Moein, this group of playersfirst shone at the 2014 AFC U-19 Championship, where substitute Afifheaded the winner in a 1-0 victory against DPR Korea in the final andskipper Moein was named the tournament’s MVP. The strong performance at the 2016 AFC U23 Championship was proof of thegradual progress of a generation that is key to Qatar’s plans ofdeveloping a strong squad for 2022, when they will host the FIFA WorldCup.In addition to Afif and Moein, the squad features Almoez Ali, who hasscored for Al Duhail in the AFC Champions League, and Assim Madibo, whocurrently plays alongside Afif for Belgian first division side KASEupen. Placed in Group C of the qualifiers, Qatar defeated Turkmenistanand India, before drawing with Syria to secure top spot and automaticqualification for the finals.China PRBest finish: Group stage (2014, 2016)How they qualified: As hosts Having exited at the group stage of the past two editions of thecompetition without picking up a point, China will be seeking animprovement this time out on home soil. After a disappointing campaignin Oman in 2014, the East Asians were intent on a better performance atthe second edition in Qatar in 2016. But had a tough time, losing alltheir league matches. Despite qualifying as hosts for the 2018 edition, China also took partin Group J of the qualification campaign in Phnom Penh.  A 0-0 drawagainst hosts Cambodia was followed by a 2-0 win over the Philippinesbefore China impressively saw off defending champions Japan 2-1 to topthe standings. The goalscorers were two players who could well beleading lights at China 2018, Shanghai SIPG winger Wei Shihao andBeijing Renhe defender Deng Hanwen, who have both been capped for thesenior team. Leading the line ahead of them is likely to be WerderBremen loanee Zhang Yuning.UzbekistanBest finish: Group stage (2014, 2016)How they qualified: Winners – Group DUzbekistan qualified for the AFC U23 Championship by topping Group Dwith a 100 percent record after beating hosts UAE 2-0 in Al Ain. Despitehaving progressed to the two previous editions, the Uzbeks have yet toreach the knockout stages, but will hope with former Uzbekistan headcoach Ravshan Khaydarov in charge, things can be different this time.Two years ago in Doha, the young White Wolves were knocked out in thegroup stages. This time round in the Group D qualifying matches in theUAE, Uzbekistan won their opening game 3-1 against Lebanon and then beatNepal 2-0 to set up a winner-takes-all clash with the hosts. Uzbekdefender Islomjon Kobilov headed in Jasurbek Yakhshiboev’s corner on 67minutes as Uzbeks made sure of their qualification for the AFC U23Championship with a second from Javokir Sidikov. OmanBest finish: Group stage (2014)How they qualified: Winners – Group AHosts of the inaugural edition of the competition, Oman could be amongthe surprise contenders in China as they aim to build on theirimpressive qualifying campaign where they topped Group A, ahead ofpowerhouse Iran. Four years ago on home soil, the Sultanate defeatedMyanmar 4-0 in the opening game but exited after defeats to Jordan andKorea Republic, before missing out on the 2016 AFC U23 Championship.In the qualifying tournament for this edition, in the Kyrgyz Republic,Hamad al-Azani’s team were led by promising forwards Muhsin al-Ghassaniand Jameel ak-Yahmadi. In their opening game against the hosts, Oman won5-1 victory. Against Iran, it was the double act of al-Yahmadi andal-Ghassani who came up with the goals to clinch a 2-0 win and sealOman’s return to the finals for the first time since hosting theinaugural edition.Qatar under-23 players train in Changzhou, China yesterday.