2022 CAFA U-16 Championship explained

the 2022 CAFA U-16 Championship was the third edition of the CAFA U-16 Championship, the international youth football championship organized by Central Asian Football Association for the men's under-16 national teams of Central Asia. Tajikistan hosted the tournament from 11 to 21 May.^[1] A total of five teams competed for the title in the eight-day round-robin event, with all teams to cross paths once before the final Matchday on May 20, with players born on or after 1 January 2006 eligible to participate.

Tajikistan were the defending champions, having won the last edition in 2019. but failed to retain their title after winning only one of their four matches.^[2] Iran clinched the title after they edged out Uzbekistan on goal difference after a 7–0 win against Tajikistan.^{[3] [4]}

Participation

Participating teams

A total of 5 (out of 6) CAFA nations entered the competition.^{[5] [6]}

Team	data-sort-type="number"	Appearance	Previous best performance
	3rd	Runners-up (2018)
	2nd	Third place (2019)
	3rd	Fourth place (2018)
	3rd	Champions (2019)
	3rd	Champions (2018)

Did not enter

Squads

Venues

Matches were held at the Republic Central Stadium.^[7]

Dushanbe
Republic Central Stadium
Capacity: 20,000

Match officials

The following officials were appointed for the tournament:

Referees

• Seyyedali Asghar Momeni
• Nurzatbek Abdykadyrov
• Abdullo Dablatov
• Akobirkhuja Shukurllaev

Assistant referees

• Alireza Moradi
• Khusan Dzhalaldinov
• Akmal Buriev
• Ismoil Nuraliev
• Rustam Tagaev
• Aleksandr Sidorov

Main tournament

The main tournament schedule was announced on 6 May 2022.^[8]

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Player awards

The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament:^[9]

Notes and References

1. Web site: В Душанбе пройдет чемпионат CAFA-2022 среди юношеских сборных (U-16). ru . In Dushanbe, the CAFA-2022 U-16 Youth Championship will take place.. 7 May 2022. khovar.tj. 14 June 2024.
2. Web site: Юношеская сборная Таджикистана стала бронзовым призёром Чемпионата CAFA-2022. ru. The Tajikistan U-16 national team became the bronze medalists of the CAFA Championship 2022.. 21 May 2022. asiaplustj.info. 14 June 2024.
3. Web site: Incredible IR Iran storm home to win CAFA U16 Championship. 21 May 2022 . the-afc.com. AFC. 3 November 2022.
4. Web site: Iran Wins 2022 CAFA U-16 Championship. 21 May 2022. tasnimnews.com. 14 June 2024.
5. Web site: Iran to Meet Uzbekistan in 2022 CAFA U16 Championship. 7 May 2022 . tasnimnews.com. 3 November 2022.
6. Web site: Завтра В Душанбе Стартует Чемпионат Cafa-2022 Среди Юношеских Сборных До 16 Лет. ru. Tomorrow, the CAFA-2022 U-16 Youth Championship will start in Dushanbe.. 12 May 2024. fft.tj. Tajikistan Football Federation. 14 June 2024.
7. Web site: В Душанбе Пройдет Чемпионат CAFA-2022 Среди Юношеских Сборных (U-16). The CAFA-2022 U-16 Youth Championship will take place in Dushanbe.. 6 May 2022 . fft.tj. FFT. 3 November 2022.
8. Web site: Central Asia’s generation next on show in CAFA U16 Championship. 13 May 2022 . the-afc.com. AFC. 2 November 2022.
9. Web site: Iran Youth Team – the Winner of CAFA U16 Championship 2022. 20 May 2022. the-cafa.com. CAFA. 2 November 2022.
10. Web site: ایران قهرمان رقابت‌های زیر ۱۶ سال کافا/ نوجوان ایرانی بهترین بازیکن شد. fa. Iran champion of the CAFA U-16 competition / Iranian teenager named best player.. 21 May 2022. footballi.net. 14 June 2024.
11. Web site: Сборная Кыргызстана взяла приз Fair Play и последнее место на турнире CAFA-2022 в Душанбе. ru. The Kyrgyzstan national team won the Fair Play award and finished last in the CAFA-2022 tournament in Dushanbe. 23 May 2022. sport.kg. 14 June 2024.