Opening win will set us up nicely, says Uzbekistan's Cuper

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Opening win will set us up nicely, says Uzbekistan's Cuper

Kuala Lumpur: Uzbekistan coach Hector Cuper is hoping his side can kick off their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers campaign with a win over Palestine on Thursday to set the tone for the Central Asian side's challenge.

Uzbekistan have established themselves among the upper echelon of Asian football but have yet to represent the Continent on the game’s greatest stage and Cuper – who led Egypt to the FIFA World Cup in Russia in 2018 – is determined to make a strong start to their challenge later this week.

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Hong Kong's Paatelainen relishing Group C challenge

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Hong Kong's Paatelainen relishing Group C challenge

Kuala Lumpur: Head coach Mixu Paatelainen is hoping he can turn the negative of a difficult draw into a positive for the future of Hong Kong's football when Round 2 of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 begins on Thursday.

Hong Kong will commence their campaign against Cambodia in Phnom Penh before hosting Group C top seeds Islamic Republic of Iran five days later at Hong Kong Stadium in what represents a difficult start to their challenge.

Iraq and Bahrain are also in the group, with the pair meeting in Riffa on Thursday.

Renard: Qualification is a must for Saudi Arabia

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Renard: Qualification is a must for Saudi Arabia

Jeddah: Saudi Arabia will respect their opponents but their target, head coach Herve Renard has stressed, is qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.

That is the target the Frenchman has been set by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and it is one that he is relishing.

UAE in fine form ahead of Malaysia tie

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

UAE in fine form ahead of Malaysia tie

Kuala Lumpur: United Arab Emirates will carry winning form into the Asian Qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 after registering back-to-back victories over Dominican Republic and Sri Lanka in friendlies matches played on Friday and Saturday.

Further good news for head coach Bert van Marwijk, who will be leading the UAE into competitive action for the first time, was the return of UAE talisman Omar Abdulrahman after a long injury lay-off.

Young talents give Arnold confidence

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Young talents give Arnold confidence

Sydney: Australia head coach Graham Arnold is confident the Socceroos will make a positive start to their Asian Qualifiers campaign for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 after a thorough selection process.

Arnold named the 23-strong squad on Friday, with Australia to play Kuwait away in their opening Group B match on September 10.

Arnold’s first Asian Qualifiers selection features a blend of international experience, and will offer further opportunities to numerous players at relatively early stages of their respective senior international careers.

Bento: Versatility the key for Taeguk Warriors

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Bento: Versatility the key for Taeguk Warriors

Seoul: Korea Republic head coach Paulo Bento believes his players' ability to take on multiple positions will carry the team a long way in their FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers Round 2 campaign next month.

Bento unveiled his 26-man roster on Monday and will use the friendly against Georgia on September 5 as a tune-up before they play Turkmenistan in their opening Qualifiers' tie five days later.

Korea Republic will also face Lebanon, DPR Korea and Sri Lanka in Group H, as they seek to qualify for their 10th consecutive FIFA World Cup.

Overseas-based stars power Palestine squad

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Overseas-based stars power Palestine squad

West Bank: Palestine will be powered by their foreign-based stars for their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers campaign.

Head coach Noureddin Ould Ali has called up 28 players for his preliminary squad including Yaser Hamed Mayor of Spanish club Club Portugalete, Nazmi Albadawi - who is on loan at North Carolina FC from MLS franchise FC Cincinnati and Tamer Seyam of Moroccan club Hassania Agadir.

Also called up are Islam Batran of Jordan’s Al Jazeera Club, Mahmoud Wadi of Egypt’s Al Masry SC, Saleh Chihadeh of Swiss Super League outfit FC Thun and Oday Dabbagh of Kuwait’s Al Salmiya.