Link to watch live U20 Uzbekistan vs U20 Iraq at the 2023 AFC U20 final, 9pm on March 18

Link to watch live: HERE

Coach Ravshan Khaydarov.

U20 Uzbekistan and U20 Iraq together created the biggest surprise in the tournament when they defeated two “big guys” namely U20 Japan and U20 Korea to enter the battle for the top spot.

Coach Ravshan Khaydarov is only one match away from cementing his place in the history of Uzbek football.

Khaydarov, 61, led Uzbekistan to the semi-finals of the AFC U19 Championship in 2014, earning them a spot in the next year’s FIFA U20 World Cup. Uzbekistan impressed on the global stage as they advanced to the quarter-finals, then knocked out by Senegal.

3 years later, in the cold weather conditions in China, Uzbekistan made history as they overcame it all to lift the AFC U23 Asian Cup for the first time. Many of the players in that squad are now household names across Asia.

Khaydarov also showed his acumen in the semi-final win over South Korea, launching players he knew would change the game in Uzbekistan’s favor.

The devious coach now has one more task to complete – lead his team to victory tonight.

For the Iraqi players, Emad Mohammed is an inspirational coach.

Meanwhile, coach Emad Mohammed will have a chance to reminisce about past glories when his Iraq team face Uzbekistan in tonight’s final.

The 18-year-old Mohammed helped the Iraqi team lift the championship title in 2000, and now Mohammed is only one match away from the championship, as a coach.

“Our ambition is to win the title like the other teams here. We are not here to win the right to participate in the World Cup, but to become the champion of the continent,” the former national player said before the semi-final victory over Japan.

Mohammed, 41, believes that Iraq’s young talents must regularly compete with the best players to develop.

“At this age, players need to play against international opponents, that gives them an edge in the future to become better players. Our presence at the FIFA U20 World Cup and at the AFC U20 Asian Cup also inspires the younger generations and contributes greatly to the future of Iraqi football. I hope we can continue to play at this level in the future.”

The U20 Asia 2023 final between U20 Uzbekistan and U20 Iraq will take place at 9pm on March 18 (Vietnam time) and be streamed live on FPT Play platforms. Spectators can watch this match live on FPT Play application, or FPT Play’s online platforms.

HP