Ahead of the big kick-off to the AFC U23 tournament, QSL online has profiled six players who are aiming to fire their teams to the olympics in Rio 2016. The three week AFC U23 championships will see the best young talent in Asia battle it out to lift the title, with the top three sides heading to the olympics. 


Gakuto Notsuda
Country: Japan
Club side: Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Age: 21
Midfielder Notsuda was a key player for Japan during their undefeated qualification campaign. He has already made more than 60 appearances for Sanfrecce Hiroshima and claimed major honours, including two J League titles and two Japanese Super Cups. Notsuda is regarded as a creative presence in the middle of the park and will be aiming to lead Japan all the way to the title in Qatar.




Akram Afif
Country: Qatar
Club side: Eupen
Age: 19
Afif is one of Qatari football’s hottest prospects. Currently plying his trade with Belgian side Eupen, he has already won five caps for the full national team. Afif has scored four times in 14 games for Eupen this season. He is also part of a talented football family; Afif’s brother Ali plays for Qatar Stars League champions Lekhwiya.


Mahdi Kamel
Country: Iraq
Club side: Al-Shorta
Age: 21
Midfielder Kamel grabbed four goals in qualifying and will be the defending champion’s go-to man in Qatar. He already has 13 caps for the senior Iraq team, having made his debut at the tender age of 18. Kamel recently helped his club side Al-Shorta win two Iraqi Premier League titles, and has also tasted success on the international stage – Kamel was a member of the Iraq squad which won the 2013 AFC U22 Championship in Oman.



Ryu Seung-woo
Country: South Korea
Club side: Bayer Leverkusen
Age: 21
Pacey winger Ryu signed for Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen following a successful loan spell in 2014. Ruy moved to Eintracht Braunschweig for the 2014-15 season and scored four goals in 16 appearances. Ryu was one of South Korea’s key players at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and scored the winning goal against Cuba in the side’s opening match.



Mustafa Al Bassas
Country: Saudi Arabia
Club side: Al Ahli
Age: 22
Al Ahli midfielder Mustafa Al Bassas was among the goals for the Green Falcons during the qualification process. At club level, Al Bassas has represented Al Ahli on a number of occasions and helped the side lift the Saudi Crown Prince Cup in the 2014-15 season. He also helped his club side reach the final of the 2012 AFC Champions League. On the international stage, Al Bassas has represented the full Iraq side, while in 2012 he helped his nation win the U23 Gulf Cup of Nations.
 


Jamie Maclaren
Country: Australia
Club side: Brisbane Roar
Age: 22
Maclaren fired Australia to top spot in qualifying after hitting five goals. The striker recently signed for Brisbane Roar after starting his career with A-League side Perth Glory. Maclaren spent part of his youth career with English side Blackburn Rovers. He has scored eight goals in 11 appearances for Australia’s U23 side.

Tickets for all the matches are available online from the Qatar Football Association website: www.qfa.qa. Whilst you can also buy tickets from both Landmark & Villagio malls from 4pm to 10pm daily, furthermore fans will be able to buy tickets on match days at the tournament stadiums.

Ticket categories and prices:

 

To buy tickets, go to www.qfa.qa

For further details about the tournament, including the match schedule, log on to: http://www.the-afc.com/competition/afc-u23-championship. -