Day urges Bangladesh to emulate Abahani

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Day urges Bangladesh to emulate Abahani

Dhaka: Head coach Jamie Day has called on Bangladesh to draw inspiration from Abahani Dhaka Limited as they prepare to kick off their Asian Qualifiers campaign for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Bangladesh are in a challenging Group E with reigning AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar, Oman, India and Afghanistan, who they open their campaign against on September 10, and Day wants the South Asians to rise to the challenge.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/video/asian_qualifiers_bangladesh_v_laos.html

Classics on the cards

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Classics on the cards

Kuala Lumpur: History will be made in Pyongyang on October 15 when Korea Republic travel to face DPR Korea in their Asian Qualifiers tie for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 as the neighbouring rivals meet on the pitch in a competitive fixture in the northern nation for the first time.

The encounter – the first of two in Group H featuring the Koreans, with the second in Seoul on June 4, 2020 – headlines the second round of qualifying for the two tournaments that has thrown up an array of fascinating clashes that will often see traditional rivals go head-to-head for a berth in the next round of the campaign for places in Qatar and China PR.

One match at a time for Indonesia, says McMenemy

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

One match at a time for Indonesia, says McMenemy

Jakarta: Simon McMenemy will look to tap into his experience as a club coach when he leads Indonesia into their opening Asian Qualifiers tie against Malaysia for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 on Thursday, as the two Southeast Asian nations commence their campaign at a pulsating Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.

The former Philippines boss – who led Bhayangkara FC to the Indonesia league title in 2018 – will adopt a “one game at a time” approach to life in Group G, which also sees Tim Merah-Putih face off against Thailand, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates in the battle for places in the next round of qualifying for Qatar 2022.

Head coaches set for battle of wills

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Head coaches set for battle of wills

Kuala Lumpur: From wily veterans to willing novices, the men charged with leading the 40 nations seeking to advance to the next phase of qualifying for the the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 will be putting the finishing touches to the preparations as the countdown to kick off the second round of the Asian Qualifiers ticks ever louder.

The range in know-how between those taking part is vast, and no one brings more experience to the campaign than Marcello Lippi, the man who led Italy to their fourth world title in 2006 and who is charged with ending China PR’s lengthy FIFA World Cup drought.

Ciobotariu wants Lebanon to hit the ground running against DPR Korea

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Ciobotariu wants Lebanon to hit the ground running against DPR Korea

Beirut: Head coach Liviu Ciobotariu has been drumming into his Lebanon side the importance of their opening Asian Qualifiers Group H match against DPR Korea on Thursday.

Lebanon face DPR Korea in Pyongyang and Romanian Ciobotariu wants a positive result to set Lebanon up nicely for their bid to advance to the third round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

With Korea Republic, Turkmenistan and Sri Lanka also in the group, Ciobotariu wants points on the board as quickly as possible.

Renard announces Saudi Arabia squad for Group D campaign

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Renard announces Saudi Arabia squad for Group D campaign

Riyadh:Head coach Herve Renard has named his first Saudi Arabia squad as the West Asians get set to begin their Asian Qualifiers campaign for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Renard, appointed in July, has been tasked with ensuring Saudi Arabia qualify for their second successive FIFA World Cup and sixth overall.

They will also be chasing a fourth AFC Asian Cup title after their UAE 2019 campaign ended in the group stage.

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.