UAE faces Iran in final round of AFC U-23 qualifiers

September 08, 2025 / 11:39 PM

Sharjah 24: Our national Olympic football team is preparing for a crucial match against Iran in the third round of Group 9 of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers. The game, scheduled for tomorrow, will determine the group leader and the team that secures direct qualification to the tournament finals.

Match details

The match will kick off on Tuesday at 9:30 PM UAE time at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Both the UAE and Iran enter the game with six points each, but the UAE currently holds the lead in the group due to a superior goal difference.

Group standings

The UAE began its campaign with a commanding 13–0 victory over Guam, followed by a 2–0 win against Hong Kong. Iran also secured two wins, making their encounter with the UAE a decisive showdown. Meanwhile, Guam and Hong Kong, who have not earned any points, will face each other in a separate fixture.

Final preparations

The UAE team will conduct its final training session today to prepare for this vital encounter. The outcome will decide who advances directly to the AFC U-23 Asian Cup finals, which will be held in Saudi Arabia next year.

Qualification system

Under the qualification format, the top team from each of the 11 groups will qualify for the finals, along with the four best second-placed teams. Host nation Saudi Arabia will also participate automatically. This edition of the qualifiers includes a record 44 participating teams, divided into 11 groups, with matches played in a centralised format.

Coach’s statement

Marcelo Broli, head coach of the UAE Olympic team, emphasized that the team approaches the upcoming match with a clear goal of winning and securing their place in the finals.