Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Guwahati: Head coach Igor Stimac and captain Sunil Chhetri are looking at the positives despite India falling to a heartbreaking late defeat to Oman in their opening Asian Qualifiers Group E match on Thursday.
Just when India started thinking Chhetri's 24th minute goal would be enough to claim the first three points of their bid to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, Rabia Alawi Al Mandhar struck twice in the final eight minutes to secure the win for Oman at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Matchday 1 of the second round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 saw 16 matches being played across the Continent on Thursday.
It was a day of high quality action as 32 of the 40 teams involved in this phase of the Asian Qualifiers got their campaigns underway.
The teams now have a four-day break before Matchday 2 on Tuesday, which will see Australia, China PR, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia kicking off their campaigns.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Guwahati: Oman came from a goal down to beat India 2-1 in their opening Asian Qualifiers Group E tie for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 on Thursday.
Sunil Chhetri had given India a first half lead but the young Rabia Alawi Al Mandhar turned out to be the hero as he scored twice to give Oman the three points.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Almoez Ali bagged a hat-trick as 2019 AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar began their title defence journey with an emphatic 6-0 win over Afghanistan in Group E of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers on Thursday.
A huge crowd at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium greeted the Qatari players in their first home appearance since lifting the Continental trophy in the UAE back in February.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pathum Thani: Thailand were unable to begin their FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers campaign with a win, but head coach Akira Nishino believes Thursday’s 0-0 draw with Vietnam gives them something to build on.
Nishino’s first game in charge was a battle between fierce regional rivals, but neither could conjure a breakthrough goal at Thammasat Stadium, stretching Thailand’s winless run on home soil to five matches.
The Changsuek had won both encounters against Vietnam during the same round of qualifying in 2015, but, despite their inability to repeat that success on home soil, Nishino said the stalemate is a result from which his side can grow.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Jakarta: Mohamadou Sumareh has dedicated his goals against Indonesia in Thursday's Asian Qualifiers tie to the Malaysia fans.
Naturalised Malaysian Sumareh made a dramatic instant impact on the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Group G tie at the pulsating Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, drawing his side level at 1-1 just moments after coming on as a substitute in the 35th minute.
There was even greater drama to follow as the Gambian-born Sumareh then scored the goal that gave Malaysia a 3-2 win deep into stoppage time to spark wild celebrations.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Guangzhou: Two-time AFC Champions League winner Elkeson believes his experience scoring goals against the Continent’s best for Guangzhou Evergrande and Shanghai SIPG can help push China PR towards the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Finals after the Brazil-born striker secured Chinese citizenship last month.
The 30-year-old has been included in Marcello Lippi’s squad for their upcoming Asian Qualifiers tie against the Maldives on Tuesday after being granted citizenship, becoming the first player without Chinese heritage to be selected to play for the country.
And after helping Guangzhou win the AFC Champions League title in 2013 and 2015 while also claiming four Chinese Super League titles – three with Guangzhou and one with Shanghai – he is confident he can boost China’s FIFA World Cup qualification hopes.