As all manner of domestic leagues come to a close, excitement builds for the return of international football starting with the Under 20 World Cup in New Zealand. The Asian contenders that qualified via last year’s Under 19 AFC Championship may instantly look out of the ordinary, the lack of any of the big 5 senior national sides of Japan, Iran, Australia, Korea Republic and UAE maybe surprising, but all were put to the sword during the tournament in Myanmar. The hosts, who enter the Youth World Cup for the first time in their history alongside previous minnows Qatar and Korea DPR are making a real forward burst in terms of youth development as they eye a bright future for their seniors.
Qatar
Manager: Felix Sanchez (ESP)
Qualification: Champions (AFC U19 Championship 2014)
U20 WC Group: C – Colombia, Portugal, Senegal
Key Men: Ahmed Al-Sadi, Yousef Hassan, Ahmed Doozandeh
They might have snuck in somewhat under the radar, but the performances of the Qatari youth squad will no doubt be one of the main talking points come the final, however they play. Much is expected of all youth squads going into the tournament, but Qatar’s particular interest will be heightened given this age group will be hoped to form their home World Cup squad in 2022. The entire squad lays on the foundations formed by the impressive but at times controversial Aspire Academy that continues to grow in providence with every given youth tournament.
Qatar go into the tournament in fine fettle, with arguably the strongest man for man U20 squad on the continent. The quality of attacking play was their key attribute in clinching their first ever U19 AFC Championship title last year. Much of their most impressive play came on the counter, in particular through the pacey and clinical Ahmed Al-Sadi from the right, while KAS Eupen based compatriot Ahmed Doozandeh dictates their play from deep. Their depth in quality proved crucial to push them over the finishing line, captured finely by super substitute Akram Afif, who climbed off the bench 5 times to score 4 goals in the tournament, including the winner in their final victory over North Korea.
Korea DPR
Manager: An Ye-Gun (PRK)
Qualification: Runners-Up (AFC U19 Championship 2014)
U20 WC Group: E – Brazil, Hungary, Nigeria
Key Men: Jo Kwang-Myong, Kang Nam-Gwon, So Jong-Hyok
Alongside Qatar, Korea DPR are looking to build on their dominance in a range of Asian youth competitions; picking up a silver medal at the Asia Games, the AFC U16 Championship title alongside their final appearance at U19 level which ensured qualification to New Zealand. While their senior squad continues to flounder against the very best on the continent, the increase in quality at their (typically secretive) home academies continues to threaten their rivals. Their penalty shootout victory over Japan in Myanmar came as a big surprise to those outside of the country but over the course of play proved deserving. Korea DPR will once again go into a tournament with little being expected of them.
The Koreans play some of the most attractive passing football of all the Asian sides travelling to New Zealand. Their fluidity runs through to their personnel on the pitch which regularly switches depending on their adopted approach. In Myanmar, the technically gifted Jo Kwang-Myong impressed the most, drifting in from the left wing, firing 5 goals during the tournament. Alongside Korea’s other attacking options Jo breaks from deep linking up well with the physically imposing Kim Yu-Song who holds the ball up impressively. The one area of concern could be in defence where the Koreans at times looked fragile, Cha Jong-Hun between the sticks particularly looked shaky.
Myanmar
Manager: Gerd Zeise (GER)
Qualification: Semi-Finalists (AFC U19 Championship 2014)
U20 WC Group: A – New Zealand (Hosts), Ukraine, USA
Key Men: Nyein Chan Aung, Aung Thu, Nanda Kyaw
Underdogs in all ways, the coming months are going to be used to enhance experience rather than claim silverware for Myanmar. They qualified for their first ever U20 World Cup, after making it through to the semi-finals at their home U19 Championship, however away from home could prove a little more difficult to manage. While they pushed Qatar to extra-time in their semi-exit, the general feeling from the neutrals watching was that they’d be hampered without the partisan support they received throughout the tournament.
Passion of course was key to their success, which spurred on a team ethic that turned around performances that were ebbing away from them. It might be a cliché to point to the physical disadvantage South East Asians have over their competiters, but it was clearly highlighted when the squads were announced this week. Myanmar have named 14 players who fall under 5’7’’, while Asian compatriots Uzbekistan named no one under the same height. What they lack in that department they make up in their technical ability, which is a clear improvement on previous tournament squads. Attacking midfielder Nyein Chan Aung in behind Aung Thu provide an attractive tandem that will threaten their more accomplished (on paper anyway) opposition.
Uzbekistan
Manager: Ravshan Khaydarov (UZB)
Qualification: Semi-Finalists (AFC U19 Championship 2014)
U20 WC Group: F – Fiji, Germany, Honduras
Key Men: Zabikhillo Urinboev, Dostonbek Tursunov, Javokhir Sokhibov
Uzbek football is going through a slump in form of late, after a mediocre Asian Cup exit in January was followed by an exhaustive sweep of all four of their competitors from the Asian Champions League group stage. One crumb of inspiration has come from their need to revitalise the national team, currently set up with many of the regulars coming towards the end of their careers. A solid performance in Myanmar last year saw their U19 side make it through to the semi-finals, and thanks to a relatively favourable group World Cup draw, offers them hope to make it through to the knockout phase in New Zealand.
An advantage that they possess over their competitors both in Asia and at the forthcoming World Cup, is that they already possess players achieving minutes at a high standard both domestically and on the continent. Midfielder Javokhir Sokhibov has made the breakthrough with Pakhtakor of late, while striker Dostonbek Khamdamov is now a regular with Bunyodkor, with both players playing substantial parts against Asia’s top club sides in the Asian Champions League. Alongside their experience, hot shot Zabikhillo Urinboev who topped the scoring charts in Myanmar after appearing at the last Youth World Cup will pose the greatest threat for the Uzbeks. His target man frame makes him an easy out ball, but he’s also illustrated his ability on the floor in and around the opposing penalty area.
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