{"id":3594,"date":"2023-06-22T16:02:07","date_gmt":"2023-06-22T06:32:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/?p=3594"},"modified":"2026-09-25T15:08:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T05:38:13","slug":"cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\/","title":{"rendered":"CAFA Nations Cup is run and won &#8211; what did we learn?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3 id=\"in-its-inaugural-senior-tournament-iran-triumphed-over-hosts-uzbekistan-to-lift-the-cafa-nations-cup-to-become-central-asia-s-very-first-champion-in-the-federation-s-brief-eight-year-history\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">In its inaugural senior tournament, Iran triumphed over hosts Uzbekistan to lift the CAFA Nations Cup to become Central Asia\u2019s very first champion in the federation\u2019s brief eight-year history.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the name on the trophy may in the end be a predictable one, the wider tournament promoted the blossoming present and tantalising future of the region\u2019s football; ahead of a potentially redefining few years ahead on the run up to a pivotal World Cup cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The tournament, one that had long been in the pipeline, finally materialised almost as a consequential offshoot of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/russia-continues-to-consider-a-future-in-asia-ahead-of-iran-and-iraq-friendlies\/\">preliminary talks in neighbouring Russia as they attempted to join the AFC this summer<\/a>. While those talks didn\u2019t materialise, the by-product finally delivered a regional tournament to match up to their peers from across the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There were some expected hiccups; unpredictable attendances, logistical and scheduling headaches, and even a team abandoning a game in protest at an officiating decision, but on the whole the tournament will be looked back upon fondly, most notably for the two trailblazers that cut through the pack to make the showpiece final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"iran-and-uzbekistan-lead-the-central-asian-charge\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Iran and Uzbekistan lead the Central Asian charge<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In one of the two co-hosts, Uzbekistan arguably had the most ground to gain at the tournament. In the effortless way they progressed to the Final, all the while rotating heavily through the group stage, they went some way to demonstrate how far they\u2019ve come in narrowing the gap to the elite ahead of them in Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While others were significantly hampered by the pre-FIFA window start that precluded some of their more familiar international callups, Uzbekistan relished the opportunity to deploy a number of fresher and experimental selections that allude to a positive few years ahead for the nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"embed-x\"><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I.R. IRAN \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf7 <br>CAFA Nations Cup 2023 \ud83c\udfc6<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/Champions?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Champions<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/CAFANationsCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#CAFANationsCup<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/CAFA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#CAFA<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/1XBET?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#1XBET<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/MWtQ0BV7CO\">pic.twitter.com\/MWtQ0BV7CO<\/a><\/p>&mdash; CAFA (@CAFAssociation) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CAFAssociation\/status\/1671354900414963718?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 21, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While their focal point-turned-new national record goalscorer Eldor Shomurodov was the pivotal figure once more, it was those around him that generated the greater column inches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The depth in Uzbek football has never been better stocked with the likes of Jasurbek Yakhshiboev, Oston Urunov, Khojimat Erkinov, Jamshid Iskandarov, alongside new Uzbek darling Abbosbek Fayzullaev, all having successful cameos in support of their leading man, the attacking threat looks to catapult Uzbek football into a potentially fruitful generation of forward thinking talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If anything, while the question seems to be a case of when, rather than if at this stage, the concern that whether this young generation will come through quick enough in time for January\u2019s Asian Cup or even World Cup qualification, may in the end be the only factor to dampen rising expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While Uzbekistan were rampant at times over the last fortnight, the direction of travel tended to be focused through the usual avenues, be it Shomurodov or his compatriot Jaloliddin Masharipov. If either struggles for fitness or form over the coming year, it risks Srecko Katanec\u2019s gameplan being easily nullified, even if it\u2019s due only to inexperience of those peripheral figures around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All the while, their run to the final was exceedingly comfortable. A 3-0 opener against the once fancied Oman rubber stamped their progress to date. This was followed up with 2-0 and 5-1 victories against rivals Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, which it must be said played out regrettably in front of attendances of less than 15,000 in Tashkent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"embed-x\"><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Congratulations, Eldor Shomurodov! \ud83d\udc4f<br><br>The 27-year-old reached 35 goals for this country, beating Maksim Shatskikh&#39;s record to become Uzbekistan&#39;s new all-time top scorer \ud83c\udd95\ud83d\udd1d\u26bd\ufe0f\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddff <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/p625C1VXJ1\">pic.twitter.com\/p625C1VXJ1<\/a><\/p>&mdash; #AsianCup2027 (@afcasiancup) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/afcasiancup\/status\/1669626562281619457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 16, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The final, however, was a different story; a full house was in attendance to host not only the region\u2019s biggest name, but one of Asia\u2019s elite nations in the form of Amir Ghalenoei\u2019s Iran. Uzbekistan\u2019s potential long-term frailties, and eternal bridesmaid tag re-emerged, as they wasted crucial opportunities and lost concentration in key moments, only to be struck by a thoroughly professional and ruthless Iranian side, who took the debut Central Asian title in quietly dominant fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"ghalenoei-clinches-silverware-within-his-first-six-months\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ghalenoei clinches silverware within his first six months<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ahead of the tournament, there was a distinct, <em>\u2018-stan\u2019<\/em> feel over the build-up, in which Iran entered as the better off (in footballing terms anyway\u2026) cousins of the region, who\u2019d paid their neighbours a return visit having gained notable global success, namely regular World Cup qualification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The technical mismatch many worried about ahead of the Nations Cup, not least shared by the aforementioned Russia earlier this year, became all too evident early on. Back-to-back thrashings over a heavily weakened Afghanistan, and hosts Kyrgyzstan, amplified the gulf in progress made at different ends of the region\u2019s football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By the final, Mehdi Taremi had secured successive hattricks, while Sardar Azmoun, seemingly back to his best despite his ongoing troubles in club football, was similarly proficient in front of goal, netting the only goal of the game, and his fourth of the tournament in the decider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As with Uzbekistan though, you may have come for the star attacking double act, who admittedly delivered some and more, but you left thinking about the next generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While some Team Melli fans questioned their defensive credibility, in what was the first real test for a post-Queiroz Iran, the takeaways all came in attacking areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"HIGHLIGHTS | Uzbekistan - I.R. Iran | Final | CAFA Nations Cup | 2023 \u00a9\" width=\"1290\" height=\"726\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JXPQk5NnuIU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mohammed Mohebi looked a constant and effective threat from out wide, while Reza Asadi also impressed as the perfect foil and alternative option to the Taremi-Azmoun front pairing. The concerns following Qatar 2022 that Iran wouldn\u2019t be able to evolve in the moment ahead of the Asian Cup, are seemingly being answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Throughout their time at the tournament, Iran eased past their opponents and at times, quite understandably took their foot off the pedal. While fans may look for a critical side to their occasional third gear approach, a debut regional title and a first piece of silverware in decades shouldn&#8217;t be sniffed at.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"mixed-fortunes-for-the-chasing-pack\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mixed fortunes for the chasing pack<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The other co-host, Kyrgyzstan, certainly made more noise in the closer confines of the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek. A key contributor to the success of the region over the last decade, this was Kyrgyz football\u2019s moment to not only host, but to demonstrate their progress in the regional spotlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It also came at a crucial transition point; moving away from their outgoing legendary coach Aleksandr Krestinin, who even gave a rousing speech on opening night, to welcome their new incumbent, and waistcoat aficionado, Stefan Tarkovic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tarkovic\u2019s remit is to rekindle the magic that had ebbed away during the last six months of Krestinin\u2019s reign ahead of their return to the Asian Cup in six months\u2019 time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The introduction of newly nationalised striker Joel Kojo, and Russian based keeper Anton Kochenkov certainly plotted some interest moving forward, while the recall of Anton Zemlyanukhin for his first national team appearance in four years was another pleasing ace to deploy from the bench.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The eventual matches weren\u2019t all rosy, however. In struggling to edge past Afghanistan in the tournament opener, followed by a second half mauling by Iran, Kyrgyzstan showed promise in areas, but ultimately categorised their slow progress, as such.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Tarkovic.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3596\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Tarkovic.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Tarkovic.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Tarkovic.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Tarkovic.jpg?resize=1536%2C1025&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Tarkovic.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their third-placed playoff defeat to the nominal guests of the region, Oman, bizarrely hosted across town from the final in a near empty Pakhtakor Stadium, was admirable in effort, but ultimately showed up the work required at both ends of the pitch for Tarkovic\u2019s men moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Branko Ivankovic\u2019s side will similarly look back on the tournament with mixed feelings. Third place in a guest spot, to go with the runners up medal in Iraq at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/agony-overshadows-ecstasy-as-iraq-clinch-gulf-cup-title\/\">the Gulf Cup at the beginning of the year<\/a>, on paper shows how effective this team can be, yet they really weren\u2019t at the races with any sort of consistency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A humbling at the hands of Uzbekistan, a side they\u2019ll undoubtedly be pitting themselves against for one of the expanded World Cup places ahead of 2026, will have raised concerns, while their lack of dominance, even against weaker opposition in Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, albeit a trade-off of Ivankovic\u2019s style, led to a fortunate passage to the knockout phase, with plenty to ponder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There were familiar struggles also for Tajikistan. Entering on an air of positivity under enigmatic coach Petar \u0160egrt, the team lacked harmony and flexibility; having only made two changes to the starting line-up over three matches, they all too often looked out of ideas in attack, relying on old sage Manuchekhr Dzhalilov to conjure something off mere scraps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neighbours Turkmenistan fell a further step behind, with more reconstruction needed. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/mixed-objectives-as-asias-best-return-to-the-international-stage\/\">Mergen Orazov\u2019s struggles at home<\/a> were indeed translated to the international stage as predicted. Turkmen football is developing a higher level of technical players of late at different age groups, however the formation of the strategy hasn\u2019t seemed to keep pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Oman.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3597\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Oman.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Oman.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Oman.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Oman.jpg?resize=1536%2C1025&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Oman.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These below par exits, however, couldn\u2019t compete with the scale of Afghanistan\u2019s horror show, a fortnight that had started so promisingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite selecting a broadly second-string squad in Kyrgyzstan, they offered a sterling rear-guard action that contained their hosts until the 97th minute. However, following Ernist Batyrkanov\u2019s winner, chaos ensued, with Afghanistan coach Abdullah Al-Mutairi hauling the players off in protest at a debatable hand ball call that preceded the late effort, thus forfeiting the tie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While CAFA pushed on in retaining Afghanistan in the tournament, out of persistence to see an actual group stage take place more than anything, having lost out in securing a second invitee spot ahead of the tournament, a 6-1 defeat to Iran, in front of a mere handful of attendees, may have led some to ponder whether it was, in the end, worth the bother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a whirlwind, sometimes shambolic, occasionally brilliant, always distinct debut CAFA Nations Cup draws to a close, the here and now of Central Asian football is laid bare for all to poke and prod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Moving forward though, with Iran and Uzbekistan continuing to push the elite in Asia, this promises only to be the beginning for this region\u2019s success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Photo: IG\/teammellifootball<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Listen to the latest episode of <strong>The Asian Game Podcast<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Embed Player\" style=\"border:none\" src=\"https:\/\/play.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/27092295\/height\/128\/theme\/modern\/size\/standard\/thumbnail\/yes\/custom-color\/fbb344\/time-start\/00:00:00\/playlist-height\/200\/direction\/backward\/download\/yes\" height=\"128\" width=\"100%\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"\" webkitallowfullscreen=\"true\" mozallowfullscreen=\"true\" oallowfullscreen=\"true\" msallowfullscreen=\"true\"><\/iframe>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In its inaugural senior tournament, Iran triumphed over hosts Uzbekistan to lift the CAFA Nations Cup to become Central Asia\u2019s very first champion in the federation\u2019s brief eight-year history. While the name on the trophy may in the end be a predictable one, the wider tournament promoted the blossoming present and tantalising future of the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":3595,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_gspb_post_css":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[546,85,512],"class_list":["post-3594","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-analysis","tag-cafa-cup","tag-central-asia","tag-national-teams"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":8}},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>CAFA Nations Cup is run and won - what did we learn? - The Asian Game<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"ro_RO\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"CAFA Nations Cup is run and won - what did we learn? - The Asian Game\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In its inaugural senior tournament, Iran triumphed over hosts Uzbekistan to lift the CAFA Nations Cup to become Central Asia\u2019s very first champion in the federation\u2019s brief eight-year history. While the name on the trophy may in the end be a predictable one, the wider tournament promoted the blossoming present and tantalising future of the [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Asian Game\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-06-22T06:32:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-09-25T05:38:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/354778813_942640160297506_475069035707501248_n.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"853\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"568\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Martin Lowe\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@www.twitter.com\/plasticpitch\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Martin Lowe\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Martin Lowe\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/735576ac534c4ddea1a4c8b6e6103fb0\"},\"headline\":\"CAFA Nations Cup is run and won &#8211; what did we learn?\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-06-22T06:32:07+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-09-25T05:38:13+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1685,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/06\\\/354778813_942640160297506_475069035707501248_n.jpg?fit=853%2C568&ssl=1\",\"keywords\":[\"CAFA Cup\",\"Central Asia\",\"National Teams\"],\"articleSection\":[\"ANALYSIS\"],\"inLanguage\":\"ro-RO\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\\\/\",\"name\":\"CAFA Nations Cup is run and won - what did we learn? - The Asian Game\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/06\\\/354778813_942640160297506_475069035707501248_n.jpg?fit=853%2C568&ssl=1\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-06-22T06:32:07+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-09-25T05:38:13+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"ro-RO\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"ro-RO\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/06\\\/354778813_942640160297506_475069035707501248_n.jpg?fit=853%2C568&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/06\\\/354778813_942640160297506_475069035707501248_n.jpg?fit=853%2C568&ssl=1\",\"width\":853,\"height\":568},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"CAFA Nations Cup is run and won &#8211; what did we learn?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/\",\"name\":\"The Asian Game\",\"description\":\"Your home of Asian football\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"ro-RO\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"The Asian Game\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"ro-RO\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/09\\\/Gradient-Main-White%404x.png?fit=1755%2C762&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/09\\\/Gradient-Main-White%404x.png?fit=1755%2C762&ssl=1\",\"width\":1755,\"height\":762,\"caption\":\"The Asian Game\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/735576ac534c4ddea1a4c8b6e6103fb0\",\"name\":\"Martin Lowe\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"ro-RO\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/LOWE.png?fit=96%2C72&ssl=1\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/LOWE.png?fit=96%2C72&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/LOWE.png?fit=96%2C72&ssl=1\",\"caption\":\"Martin Lowe\"},\"description\":\"Martin Lowe is a freelance football writer, having covered Asian football for over a decade. He has appeared on the BBC, Al Jazeera English and The Mirror, covering some of the biggest stories and developments in Asian football. He has been a senior contributor at The Asian Game website since its launch in 2019.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/www.twitter.com\\\/plasticpitch\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.theasiangame.net\\\/ro\\\/author\\\/martin-lowe\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"CAFA Nations Cup is run and won - what did we learn? - The Asian Game","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\/","og_locale":"ro_RO","og_type":"article","og_title":"CAFA Nations Cup is run and won - what did we learn? - The Asian Game","og_description":"In its inaugural senior tournament, Iran triumphed over hosts Uzbekistan to lift the CAFA Nations Cup to become Central Asia\u2019s very first champion in the federation\u2019s brief eight-year history. While the name on the trophy may in the end be a predictable one, the wider tournament promoted the blossoming present and tantalising future of the [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\/","og_site_name":"The Asian Game","article_published_time":"2023-06-22T06:32:07+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-09-25T05:38:13+00:00","og_image":[{"width":853,"height":568,"url":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/354778813_942640160297506_475069035707501248_n.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Martin Lowe","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@www.twitter.com\/plasticpitch","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Martin Lowe","Est. reading time":"8 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\/"},"author":{"name":"Martin Lowe","@id":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/#\/schema\/person\/735576ac534c4ddea1a4c8b6e6103fb0"},"headline":"CAFA Nations Cup is run and won &#8211; what did we learn?","datePublished":"2023-06-22T06:32:07+00:00","dateModified":"2026-09-25T05:38:13+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\/"},"wordCount":1685,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/354778813_942640160297506_475069035707501248_n.jpg?fit=853%2C568&ssl=1","keywords":["CAFA Cup","Central Asia","National Teams"],"articleSection":["ANALYSIS"],"inLanguage":"ro-RO"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\/","url":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\/","name":"CAFA Nations Cup is run and won - what did we learn? - The Asian Game","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/354778813_942640160297506_475069035707501248_n.jpg?fit=853%2C568&ssl=1","datePublished":"2023-06-22T06:32:07+00:00","dateModified":"2026-09-25T05:38:13+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"ro-RO","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"ro-RO","@id":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/354778813_942640160297506_475069035707501248_n.jpg?fit=853%2C568&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/354778813_942640160297506_475069035707501248_n.jpg?fit=853%2C568&ssl=1","width":853,"height":568},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/cafa-nations-cup-is-run-and-won-what-did-we-learn\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"CAFA Nations Cup is run and won &#8211; what did we learn?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/","name":"The Asian Game","description":"Your home of Asian football","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"ro-RO"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/#organization","name":"The Asian Game","url":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"ro-RO","@id":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Gradient-Main-White%404x.png?fit=1755%2C762&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Gradient-Main-White%404x.png?fit=1755%2C762&ssl=1","width":1755,"height":762,"caption":"The Asian Game"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/#\/schema\/person\/735576ac534c4ddea1a4c8b6e6103fb0","name":"Martin Lowe","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"ro-RO","@id":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/LOWE.png?fit=96%2C72&ssl=1","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/LOWE.png?fit=96%2C72&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/LOWE.png?fit=96%2C72&ssl=1","caption":"Martin Lowe"},"description":"Martin Lowe is a freelance football writer, having covered Asian football for over a decade. He has appeared on the BBC, Al Jazeera English and The Mirror, covering some of the biggest stories and developments in Asian football. He has been a senior contributor at The Asian Game website since its launch in 2019.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net","https:\/\/x.com\/www.twitter.com\/plasticpitch"],"url":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/author\/martin-lowe\/"}]}},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/354778813_942640160297506_475069035707501248_n.jpg?fit=853%2C568&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3594","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3594"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3594\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9998,"href":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3594\/revisions\/9998"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3595"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3594"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3594"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3594"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}