Alireza Faghani to Officiate Asian Cup 2023 Opener
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed the cast of match officials that will oversee the opening match of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, which will take place on Friday at the breathtaking Lusail Stadium in Doha.
Widely regarded as one of the most established Asian match officials, Alireza Faghani has been appointed to officiate the highly-anticipated Group A fixture between defending champion Qatar and Lebanon, which will kick off in the 88,000-capacity venue and officially get the 18th edition of Asia’s crown jewel underway.
The highly-experienced Iranian will be ably supported by an Australian duo of assistant referees Anton Shchetinin and Ashley Warwick Beecham, while Korea Republic pair Ko Hyung-jin and Yoon Jae-yeol are the fourth official and reserve assistant referee respectively.
Australian Evan Shaun Robert is the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), while compatriot Kate Jacewicz will become the first ever female official to be involved in an AFC Asian Cup match when she takes up her role as assistant VAR.
Faghani will take charge of his 13th AFC Asian Cup match in his fourth appearance at the showpiece, having officiated as fourth official for four matches on his debut in 2011, refereed five matches in 2015 – including the Final between Korea Republic and eventual winner Australia – and two in the 2019 edition.
