Asian Qualifiers - Preview: Bhutan v Guam

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asian Qualifiers - Preview: Bhutan v Guam

Thimphu: Bhutan captain Karma Tshering believes his country’s famous victory over Sri Lanka in 2015 will spur the team on when they face Guam in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round One at the Changlimithang Stadium on Thursday. 

The 33-year-old Tshering was part of the team who stunned Sri Lanka, 1-0 away and 2-1 at home, at the same qualifying stage four years ago and it sparked wild celebrations in the country as they qualified for the second round of the Asian Qualifiers for the first time in the country’s history.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/bhutan-training2.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/guam-fa-pic.html

China PR to host AFC Asian Cup 2023

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

China PR to host AFC Asian Cup 2023

Paris: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Member Associations confirmed on Tuesday China PR as the hosts for the AFC Asian Cup 2023 at the AFC Extraordinary Congress in Paris, France. 

The unanimous decision marks the second time Asia’s crown jewel will be played in the People’s Republic of China which also hosted the 13th edition in 2004 when the tournament was expanded to 16 teams for the first time.
Since then, Asia’s flagship national team competition has grown to 24 teams with the United Arab Emirates staging the biggest-ever edition earlier this year, which broke all digital media engagement and TV viewership records.

Asian Qualifiers - Preview: Mongolia v Brunei Darussalam

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asian Qualifiers - Preview: Mongolia v Brunei Darussalam

Ulaanbaatar: Mongolian head coach Michael Weiss has urged his team not to underestimate Brunei Darussalam, who will be without nine regular players, when they meet in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 clash on Thursday.

Weiss, who was appointed by the Blue Wolves in 2017, is happy with his team’s preparations after a 10-day training camp in Phuket, Thailand but he will not take Brunei Darussalam lightly when they meet at the MFF Football Centre in the first leg despite the Southeast Asian team's head coach .

Asian Qualifiers - Preview: Malaysia v Timor-Leste

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asian Qualifiers - Preview: Malaysia v Timor-Leste

Kuala Lumpur: Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia will not make the mistake of underestimating Timor-Leste when the two Southeast Asian nations square off in the first leg of their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round 1 tie on Friday.

Malaysia are, at 168, the highest ranked team in the first round of the Asian Qualifiers while Timor-Leste are 195.

Malaysia head coach Tan Cheng Hoe, however, has warned his players against complacency.

“I want my players to be 100 per cent focused and not underestimate our opponents’ ability. This is an important match because the team’s mission is to make it to the next qualifying round," said Tan.

Asian Qualifiers - Preview: Macau v Sri Lanka

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asian Qualifiers - Preview: Macau v Sri Lanka

Zhuhai: Macau entertain Sri Lanka in the first leg of the nations’ joint FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China PR 2023 qualifier on Thursday with both sides looking to secure progress beyond the first round for the first time in their history.

Macau will host the game at the Zhuhai Sports Center Stadium in neighbouring Zhuhai after maintenance works to the Estadio Campo Desportivo meant the Macanese were unable to play the match at their usual home stadium.

Despite that move, though, Macau will go into the game as marginal favourites given their higher status in the current FIFA Rankings – they are rated at 183rd in the world, 19 places above the Sri Lankans – and a stronger track record at this level.

Asian Qualifiers - Preview: Cambodia v Pakistan

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asian Qualifiers - Preview: Cambodia v Pakistan

Phnom Penh: Cambodia head coach Felix G. Dalmas and his Pakistan counterpart José Antonio Nogueira are both counting on passion to drive their teams through when they face off in the first leg of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round One on Thursday.

Both head coaches promised their players will deliver their best at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh.

Asian Qualifiers - Preview: Laos v Bangladesh

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asian Qualifiers - Preview: Laos v Bangladesh

Vientiane: Laos will be on a mission when they face Bangladesh in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round One on Thursday.

The Southeast Asian nation were one of four teams to drop into the first round of the Asian Qualifiers this time around after earning three Round Two appearances in their four previous campaigns.