5 Matches to Look Out For at Thailand 2020

While each match-up between some of the best young talents in Asia is set to be well worth watching, we have highlighted five ties among the 24 group stage fixtures that are of particular interest.\

Thailand vs Bahrain
Group A, Matchday One, January 8

Plenty of intrigue will surround Thailand when the hosts kick off their campaign against Bahrain, with a positive start likely to be key to their chances of progressing from the group stage for the first time.

Looking to follow in the footsteps of Thai superstar Chanathip Songkrasin, all eyes will be on Buriram United duo Supachai Chaided and Supachok Sarachat, who fans of the War Elephants will hope can fire them into the knockout rounds.

But Bahrain, boasting several players from the senior side, may well go into the tournament as dark horses given the incredible run of form the West Asians were in 2019 that saw them lift the WAFF (West Asian Football Federation) Championship and the Gulf Cup.

The likes of Mohamed Al Hardan and Ahmed Bughammar are already established internationals, the former scoring the winner against the Islamic Republic of Iran in October’s Asian Qualifiers. With tournament powerhouses Iraq also in Group A, this opening-day clash could prove decisive.

Vietnam vs United Arab Emirates
Group D, Matchday One, January 10

Unlike 2018, Vietnam will go into this campaign among the favourites and, up against the United Arab Emirates in their first game, it will be interesting how Nguyen Quang Hai and co. deal with the added pressure.

The Golden Stars have enjoyed a remarkable rise since their runners-up finish two years ago, winning the 2018 AFF (ASEAN Football Federation) Championship and reaching the last eight of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 as they continue to go from strength to strength.

Indeed, after defeating the UAE 1-0 in November, Vietnam lead the way in their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers group.

The Emiratis have traditionally produced stronger teams than Vietnam, but should the Southeast Asians add an U-23 victory to their senior side’s success, it could well signal a shift in power as Park Hang-seo’s team aim to continue their upward trajectory.

China PR vs Uzbekistan
Group B, Matchday Two, January 12

One win and eight defeats is far from an enviable record, but those are the numbers China start the campaign with following group stage exits in the past three editions. In 2018, and indeed 2014, they suffered defeats to Uzbekistan.

On Matchday Two in southern Thailand, the East Asians will hope it is third time lucky against the defending champions in a game that could go a long way towards deciding their fate after an opening-day fixture against one of the tournament favourites, Korea Republic.

Uzbekistan, meanwhile, were deserved winners in 2018 but they know retaining their title will be an even tougher ask and, ahead of their final group game against Korea Republic, will be desperate to pick up three points against China.

The likes of Dostonbek Khamdamov, 2018 MVP Odiljon Xamrobekov and captain Zabikhillo Urinboev are now over-aged for the U-23 competition; whether the next generation can deal with the pressure situations in the same way the title-winning side did remains to be seen.

Qatar vs Japan
Group B, Matchday Three, January 15

This exciting Group B encounter will kick off a little over a year from when the two nations clashed in the Continent’s grandest stage: the 2019 AFC Asian Cup final. That tie saw Qatar come out on top in Abu Dhabi and a prominent member of that side will be in Al Annabi’s line-up in Thailand.

Tarek Salman excelled at UAE 2019 and will provide the experience to compliment the attacking talent of Nasser Al Ahrak and, in particular, Hassan Palang who top scored for Felix Sanchez’s side in qualifying.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics hosts Japan, meanwhile, breezed through qualifying and will be looking to make a fourth consecutive knockout stage apperance at the AFC U23 Championship.

There is no doubt that a win over Qatar, who finished in third in 2018, would be a statement of the young Samurai Blue’s intentions in Thailand with coach Hajime Moriyasu already underlining his intention to go all the way and help Japan to a second AFC U23 championship.

Uzbekistan vs Korea Republic
Group C, Matchday Three, January 15

One of the fixtures that would have drawn the most attention once the draw was announced, defending champions Uzbekistan against a side, Korea Republic, that has never finished outside the top four in the three editions of the AFC U23 Championship so far.

With a tight group expected to be in the balance on Matchday Three, this fixture could be crucial in deciding the outlook of the knockout stages.

Not only is it likely to be significant in terms of the make-up of the quarter-finals, it is also a rematch of the epic semi-final encounter from the 2018 edition when Uzbekistan hit three goals in extra-time to stun Korea Republic 4-1 in China.

The White Wolves will fondly remember the tie, particularly Azizjon Ganiev who scored a memorable strike, while the Koreans will be intent on exorcising their demons and getting their redemption in Thailand.