Manama: Ahead of the crucial quarter-finals of the AFC U-19 Championship Bahrain 2016, we take a look at the young stars from each of the remaining teams who have shone the brightest so far and could make an impact in the last eight.
Up next, four players from the pair of quarter-final matches to be played on Monday.
Japan – Yuto Iwasaki
Shirt Number: 20
Position: Forward
Starts/Sub Appearances: 1/2
Minutes Played: 142
Goals: 2
Kyoto Tachibana High School striker Yuto Iwasaki started the tournament on the bench, but has shown he is more than capable of taking the chances that come his way. The 18-year-old scored Japan’s second goal against Yemen in their first game before earning his first start with their tournament life on the line against defending champions Qatar. He did not disappoint, netting the opener in a 3-0 win.
JAPAN WILL KEEP IMPROVING SAYS IWASAKI
Tajikistan – Behruz Khayriev
Shirt Number: 23
Position: Goalkeeper
Starts/Sub Appearances: 3/0
Minutes Played: 270
Cleansheets: 2
Tajikistan goalkeeper Behruz Khayriev has played a vital part in his team’s march to the quarter-finals of the tournament so far. Coach Vitalii Levchenko usually favours a counter-attacking gameplan and his goalkeeper is the last line of a defence designed to soak up pressure before quick ripostes. Khayriev was particularly outstanding in their last group game as Tajikistan survived wave upon wave of Australian attacks in a 0-0 draw that knocked the Young Socceroos out of the competition.
TAJIK KEEPER KHAYRIEV ON CLOUD NINE
Uzbekistan – Jasurbek Yakhshiboev
Shirt Number: 9
Position: Forward
Starts/Sub Appearances: 2/0
Minutes Played: 174
Goals: 1
As an attacker who loves running at defenders, Jasurbek Yakhshiboev has made an impression at the tournament with his turn of speed and technical ability. Uzbekistan rely on quick offensive movement and their No9’s ability with the ball at his feet gives them an extra attacking dimension. Rested in his team’s final group game, the 19-year-old will be eager to wreak havoc on opposition defences once again.
UZBEK YAKHSHIBOEV RELISHING AFC U-19 CHAMPIONSHIP CHALLENGE
Islamic Republic of Iran – Abolfazl Razzaghpour
Shirt Number: 23
Position: Defence
Starts/Sub Appearances: 3/0
Minutes Played: 270
Goals: 2
Abolfazl Razzaghpour has been having quite the tournament for IR Iran so far. Heartbreak turned to elation for the defender in their first game against Qatar when he scored an unfortunate own goal but made amends in stunning fashion in the second half with a thunderous strike from distance. The left back showed what a weapon he could be from set pieces once again when he curled home the deciding goal in their vital third group game against Yemen.
RAZOR-SHARP RAZZAGHPOUR SPURS IRAN INTO QUARTER-FINALS
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com