'Better than ever' Marañón ready for historic 2021 AFC Champions League challenge

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

'Better than ever' Marañón ready for historic 2021 AFC Champions League challenge

Tashkent: United City FC are set to make Philippines football history when the nation debuts in Asia's premium club competition, the AFC Champions League. The team's main source of goals, Bienvenido Marañón, will be aiming to make it an occasion to remember.

After falling at the final hurdle in the playoffs in back-to-back years, United City FC - then known as Ceres Negros - are finally set to make their AFC Champions League group stage debut, a landmark achievement for Filipino football.

The-AFC.com caught up exclusively with United City FC forward Marañón, the AFC Cup's all-time top scorer, ahead of the 2021 AFC Champions League kick off to discuss the Spain-born striker's preparations, their Group I opponents and his goals for the tournament.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/ucfc_training_10072020-56.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/bienvenido_marañón_2.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl2020_-_play-offs_fc_tokyo_2-0_ceres_negros_fc.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/maranon_and_schrock.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/kawasaki_frontale-jleague_champs-2020.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/maranon_v_kaya.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/preliminary_joint_qualification_2022_-_philippines_vs_maldives.html

AFC President congratulates Asian teams and hails centralised hosts

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC President congratulates Asian teams and hails centralised hosts

Kuala Lumpur: Following the conclusion of the Asian Qualifiers Preliminary Round 2 matches on Tuesday, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated the Asian teams on securing their places in the final round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar as well as the AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

With 2022 FIFA World Cup host and current Asian champions Qatar clinching their spot as Group E winners, seven other group winners Australia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia, Syria and United Arab Emirates as well as the five best second-placed teams – China PR, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman and Vietnam – have all moved one step closer towards qualifying for the global showpiece.

Line-up for AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round unveiled

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Line-up for AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round unveiled

Kuala Lumpur: With two years to go to Asia’s flagship men’s national team tournament, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has today confirmed the 22 out of 24 teams who have advanced to the AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round.

Following the conclusion of the Preliminary Joint Qualifiers Round 2, 13 participating teams, including AFC Asian Cup 2023 host China PR and FIFA World Cup 2022 host and reigning Asian champions Qatar have sealed their places for the Continental showpiece, which is scheduled to take place from June 16 to July 16, 2023.

Cast finalised for AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar 2022

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Cast finalised for AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar 2022

Kuala Lumpur: The cast for the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar 2022 was confirmed on Tuesday with 12 teams sealing their places in the final round.

Vietnam are the newcomers, as the Southeast Asian side joined 11 teams who have featured at this stage of FIFA World Cup qualifying before.

All 12 teams also confirmed their tickets to the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 by qualifying for the final round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup.

Ivankovic overjoyed as Oman achieve Asian Qualifiers target

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Ivankovic overjoyed as Oman achieve Asian Qualifiers target

Doha: Branko Ivankovic was a happy man after Oman reached the final round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Tuesday.

The West Asian side had secured their place in the final round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup prior to their final Group E match against Bangladesh, which Oman won 3-0 to finish second behind Qatar on 18 points.

The impressive haul saw head coach Ivankovic's side earn one of the best five runners-up spots available to the final round plus also seal qualification to the AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Saudi Arabia's Renard thrilled with Asian Qualifiers progress, Abramov apologetic as Uzbekistan miss out

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Saudi Arabia's Renard thrilled with Asian Qualifiers progress, Abramov apologetic as Uzbekistan miss out

Riyadh: Head coach Herve Renard reveled in his Saudi Arabia side’s progress to the final round of the Asian Qualifiers after they defeated Uzbekistan 3-0 on Tuesday to end their Group D campaign in top spot, unbeaten and six points clear of their nearest chasers.

Two first-half goals from skipper Salman Al Faraj established a solid foundation for the Saudis to build on and Renard’s men went on to add a third just before the break, through Fahad Al Muwallad who capitalised on a defensive mistake to round the goalkeeper and put the game to bed.

Skocic proud of IR Iran, Katanec expects Iraq to learn after Asian Qualifiers adventure

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Skocic proud of IR Iran, Katanec expects Iraq to learn after Asian Qualifiers adventure

Muharraq: Islamic Republic of Iran head coach Dragan Skocic was proud of his team while Iraq counterpart Srecko Katanec said Iraq should draw lessons from their 1-0 defeat the Central Asian side in their final Asian Qualifiers Group C tie for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 on Tuesday.

Sardar Azmoun's first half goal proved enough for Iran to clinch the three points as they completed a remarkable turnaround to emerge group winners and seal a place in the final round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and confirm their appearance in the AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Despite the defeat, Iraq also advanced to the final round of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifiers as one of the best runners-up teams but Katanec believes his side should have gotten a better result.