Group by Group Preview: AFC Champions League™ 2022 (WEST)

Tue, 05 Apr, 2022

Group by Group Preview: AFC Champions League™ 2022 (WEST)

Riyadh: As we enter the month of April, the AFC Champions League™ 2022 is set to kick-off in a few days’ time starting with matches in the West, with the five groups taking place in Saudi Arabia.

From venues, to past encounters, to the players set to make in an impact in 2022, the-AFC.com profiles each of the five groups.

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IR Iran remain as Asia’s best in latest FIFA Ranking

Thu, 31 Mar, 2022

IR Iran remain as Asia’s best in latest FIFA Ranking

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran will head into the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 draw as Asia’s highest ranked team, following the latest FIFA World Ranking released on Thursday. 

Team Melli, whose position was unchanged at 21st spot, were impressive in their AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ campaign, topping Group A with eight wins, 1 draw and defeat. 

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™: Stats and Facts

Thu, 31 Mar, 2022

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™: Stats and Facts

Kuala Lumpur: After a FIFA World Cup™ qualifying campaign that began in mid-2019 and had to contend with the significant obstacle of COVID-19-related interruptions, Asia’s four automatic qualification spots – joining hosts Qatar – were confirmed after Matchdays Nine and Ten of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™.

The final round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar was played over just seven months, with the action coming thick and fast and empty stadiums turning into fan-filled venues as the campaign grew deeper. 

With Groups A and B having drawn to a close after Tuesday’s final round of fixtures, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the stats and facts that have caught the eye.

Renard eyes big support in Qatar, Arnold calls for Australians to admire Saudi football

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Renard eyes big support in Qatar, Arnold calls for Australians to admire Saudi football

Jeddah: Saudi Arabia head coach Herve Renard revelled in the glory of qualifying to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as Group B leaders as 50,000 fans celebrated following the Green Falcons’ 1-0 win against Australia at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Tuesday.

Salem Al Dawsari’s penalty five minutes after the hour-mark brought Saudi Arabia back to the summit of their group of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ following Japan’s 1-1 home draw against Vietnam earlier on the day.

A sixth appearance at the FIFA World Cup for Saudi Arabia was achieved emphatically with just one defeat along the way, a 2-0 reversal in Japan on Matchday Eight, and the result marked a second consecutive successful qualification for Renard who had led Morocco to Russia 2018.

Hašek concedes IR Iran the better side as Lebanon bow out

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Hašek concedes IR Iran the better side as Lebanon bow out

Mashhad: Ivan Hašek conceded FIFA World Cup-bound Islamic Republic of Iran are a superior outfit to his Lebanon side, who saw their own AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ hopes dashed in a 2-0 defeat on Tuesday.

Goals from Sardar Azmoun and Alireza Jahanbakhsh put paid to the Cedars’ hopes of reaching June’s AFC playoff, although UAE’s later victory over Korea Republic meant even a Lebanese win on the night wouldn’t have helped them pull off the miracle turnaround required to extend their campaign.
 
While they came into the match at Imam Reza Stadium with full of hope, Lebanon’s defeat meant they slipped to last place in Group A, with their final tally of six points from 10 matches illustrative of a campaign which slipped away in the final two matches.

Victory over Korea Republic just the start, says UAE’s Arruabarrena

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Victory over Korea Republic just the start, says UAE’s Arruabarrena

Dubai: United Arab Emirates national team head coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena said that his side’s 1-0 win against Korea Republic should be considered a mere starting point on a road which could ultimately lead the West Asian nation to their first FIFA World Cup since 1990. 

A second half goal from Harib Abdalla steered Arruebarrena’s side to a much-needed win, securing third place in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ and a single-leg AFC playoff against Australia in June.
 
The winners of the AFC playoff will then meet the fifth placed side from CONMEBOL qualifying for a berth at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.