Hosseini among Six Asian Stars Who Could Shine at Qatar 2023
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – With the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 on the horizon, the-AFC.com has taken a look at the stand-out performers from the tournament in Hangzhou and those who could make an impact at the continental championship when it kicks off in January.
At 31 years of age, Iranian goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini is by the far the oldest player on this list but the Esteghlal man was included in Reza Enayati’s squad to bring stability and experience to the defense.
It was a role he filled with aplomb as the Iranians finished the tournament conceding only one goal in four games, with that coming in their shock defeat at the hands of Hong Kong in the quarterfinals.
While national team boss Amir Ghalenoei will likely lean on veteran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, the commanding and imposing Hosseini proved at the Asian Games that he will be more than capable of stepping in should he be required in Qatar, having also done so in last year's FIFA World Cup.
Jeong Woo-yeong (Korea Republic), Tao Qianglong (China PR), Khusayin Norchaev (Uzbekistan), Kein Sato (Japan) and Mohammed Maran (Saudi Arabia) are the other five players in the list.
