Pakistan is set to take on Japan, the 2016 champions, in their opening AFC qualifier match on September 6. They are placed in Group D of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 Qualifiers along with Bahrain, Palestine, and Japan. The team’s campaign will kick off against Japan, followed by matches against Bahrain and Palestine on September 9 and 12, respectively.
Pakistan’s Squad
The Pakistani squad consists of talented players in various positions. Goalkeepers include Salman ul Haq, Hassan Ali, and Usman Ali. The defensive line is made up of Mohammad Sohail, Mohib Ullah, Haseeb Ahmed Khan, Mohammad Sufyan, Syed Abdullah Shah, Mamoon Moosa Khan, Saeed Khan, and Abdullah Iqbal. The midfielders in the squad are Mohammad Hayan Khattak, Mohammad Taha, Zaid Umar, Nizam Uddin, Alamgir Ghazi, and Harun Hamid. The forwards include Shayak Dost, Moin Ahmed, Mohammad Waheed, Mohammad Waleed, Hamza Ahmed, and Fareed Ullah.
The qualifiers will be played in a centralized venue in a round-robin format. The top team from each group, along with the four best second-placed teams, will proceed to the main event, hosted by Qatar. The U23 AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2024 is scheduled to take place from April 15 to May 3 next year. Pakistan’s participation in the AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers marks their return to the tournament after their last appearance in 2015.
Pakistan’s coach, Shehzad Anwar, who holds an AFC Pro License, acknowledges the challenge that Japan presents but remains optimistic. He mentions that they have faced Japan before in the Asian Games and are familiar with their style of play. Anwar expresses confidence that the team will make a strong effort in the event and achieve a favorable outcome.
Japan’s under-23 national team head coach, Go Oiwa, is preparing his team for the demanding campaign in Group D qualifiers. Japan, known for their strength in this age group, won bronze medals in the previous edition of the AFC U23 Asian Cup. The team will be facing Pakistan, Palestine, and the hosts, Bahrain, in this qualification group. Oiwa emphasizes the importance of starting their campaign on a positive note against Pakistan to build momentum for the subsequent matches. He assures that the squad is prepared for the challenges they will encounter throughout the competition.
Timings
The Group D qualifiers will commence with Bahrain facing Palestine at 6.30pm, followed by the clash between Japan and Pakistan at 9.30pm at Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium in Arad. Oiwa acknowledges the intensity of the three-match series and the need for his team to be well-prepared for all the matches.
Pakistan is gearing up to face tough opponents in the AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers, starting with their match against 2016 champions Japan. The team is confident in their abilities and aims to deliver a strong performance. Meanwhile, Japan is determined to build momentum from their opening match against Pakistan and overcome the challenges they will face in the competition. The stage is set for an exciting and competitive tournament.