The 2023 WAFF U-23 Championship was the fourth edition of the WAFF U-23 Championship, the international age-restricted football championship organized by the West Asian Football Federation for the men's under-23 national teams of West Asia. Nine teams competed in the tournament, with one team being invited.[1]
Saudi Arabia, the defending champions, did not take part in the tournament. Iraq won their first title after defeating Iran 5–4 on penalties (1–1 after extra time) in the final.[2]
Teams
Nine teams took part in the competition.[3]
Team | Appearance | Previous best performance |
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2nd | Winners (2015) |
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2nd | Semi-finals (2021) |
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3rd | Winners (2021) |
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3rd | Group stage (2021, 2022) |
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4th | Fourth place (2022) |
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3rd | Group stage (2015, 2021) |
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4th | Runners-up (2015) |
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3rd | Group stage (2015, 2021) |
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3rd | Fourth place (2015) |
Draw
The draw for the group stage took place on Thursday 25 May 2023 in Muscat, Oman at 15:00 UTC+3.[4]
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Squads
Each team had to register a squad of 25 players, three of whom must be goalkeepers.
Match officials
The following referees and assistant referees were appointed for the tournament.
Referees
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Assistant Referees
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Venues
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Al-Madina Stadium | Karbala Stadium |
Capacity: 30,000 | Capacity: 30,000 |
Group stage
Group A
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 4 | Knockout stage |
2 | ![]() |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 | |
3 | ![]() |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | −4 | 0 |
Group B
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 4 | Knockout stage |
2 | ![]() |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 | |
3 | ![]() |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 0 |
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
Syria ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
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Iran ![]() | 3–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
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Report |
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Palestine ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() |
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Report |
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Group C
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 6 | Knockout stage |
2 | ![]() |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 3 | |
3 | ![]() |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 0 |
Oman ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Al-Abdulsalam ![]() |
Report |
Ranking of Runners-ups
The best-placed runner-up will qualify for the knockout stage.
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 | Knockout stage |
2 | ![]() |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 | |
3 | ![]() |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 3 |
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
Knockout stage
Semi-finals | Final | |||||
18 June – Baghdad | ||||||
![]() | 0 (4) | |||||
20 June – Baghdad | ||||||
![]() | 0 (3) | |||||
![]() | 1 (4) | |||||
18 June – Baghdad | ||||||
![]() | 1 (5) | |||||
![]() | 1 | |||||
![]() | 0 | |||||
Semi-finals
Iran ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report | ||
Penalties | ||
Y. Salmani ![]() Hazbavi ![]() A. Bavieh ![]() M. Ghorbani ![]() Hashemnejad ![]() |
4–3 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Final
Iran ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Goudarzi ![]() |
Report | Abdullah ![]() |
Penalties | ||
Y. Salmani ![]() Fallah ![]() Irankhah ![]() M. Ghorbani ![]() Hashemnejad ![]() |
4–5 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Winners
2023 WAFF U-23 Championship champion |
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![]() Iraq First title |
Awards
The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament:[5]
Awards
- Player of the Tournament
- Golden Boot
Hussein Abdullah (3 goals)
- Golden Glove
Final standing
Goalscorers
There have been 27 goals scored in 12 matches, for an average of 2.25 goals per match.
3 goals
2 goals
1 goal
1 own goal
Mohammad Abualnadi (against United Arab Emirates)
Nasser Al-Rawahi (against Iraq)
Nawaf Dhawi (against Jordan)
Broadcasting rights
The following channels have been given broadcasting rights to broadcast the tournament.
Territory | Rights holder(s) |
---|---|
Iraq | Al Iraqiya |
United Arab Emirates | AD Sports |
Jordan | Jordan Sports TV |
Yemen | Al-Saeeda |
References
- ^ "إيران تشارك في بطولة غرب آسيا تحت 23 عاماً بالعراق".
- ^ ""أسود الرافدين" يفرض تألقه ويحقق أول ألقابه في بطولة تحت ٢٣ عاماً". 21 June 2023.
- ^ "قرعة النسخة الرابعة من بطولة تحت ٢٣ عاماً تسحب.. الإثنين". 28 May 2023.
- ^ "قرعة بطولة تحت ٢٣ عاماً تكشف معالم المجموعات الثلاث". 29 May 2023.
- ^ "هيمنة عراقية على جوائز بطولة غرب آسيا". kooora.com. 20 June 2023.
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