Both Ali Al-Hamadi and Omar Bugiel have been called up to represent Iraq and Lebanon respectively at the upcoming 2023 Asia Cup in Qatar.
The tournament is set to run from 12 January 2024 to 10 February 2024. The Asia Cup is laid out identically to the European Championships. There are six groups of four teams with the top two teams qualifying for the knockout stages along with the four best third placed teams.
Ali and Omar’s final game for the Dons before making their journeys to Qatar will be against Forest Green Rovers on New Year’s Day.
Below is a summary of the potential routes in the tournament that the players could face:
IRAQ: ALI AL-HAMADI
Iraq are in Group D with Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Fixtures:
Monday 15 January – Indonesia v Iraq
Friday 19 January – Iraq v Japan
Wednesday 24 January – Iraq v Vietnam
Potential routes to Final:
First Place Finish
Round of 16 – Monday 29 January
Quarter-final – Friday 2 February
Semi-final – Tuesday 6 February
Final – Saturday 10 February
Second Place Finish
Round of 16 – Wednesday 31 January
Quarter-final – Saturday 3 February
Semi-final – Wednesday 7 February
Final – Saturday 10 February
Third Place Finish and Qualify
Round of 16 – Sunday 28 or Monday 29 January
LEBANON: OMAR BUGIEL
Lebanon are in Group A with host’s Qatar, China and Tajikistan.
Fixtures:
Friday 12 January – Qatar v Lebanon (opening match of the tournament)
Wednesday 17 January – Lebanon v China
Monday 22 January – Tajikistan v Lebanon
Potential routes to Final:
First Place Finish
Round of 16 – Monday 29 January
Quarter-final – Saturay 3 February
Semi-final – Wednesday 7 February
Final – Saturday 10 February
Second Place Finish
Round of 16 – Sunday 28 January
Quarter-final – Friday 2 February
Semi-final – Tuesday 6 February
Final – Saturday 10 February
Third Place Finish and Qualify
Round of 16 – Sunday 28 or Wednesday 31 January
Everyone at AFC Wimbledon would like to wish Ali and Omar the very best of luck on international duty with their countries and we look forward to watching them represent the Dons on a global stage.