Asian Domestic Wrap: Macarthur down Wanderers; Holders Kuwait SC eliminated

Mon, 05 Feb, 2024

Asian Domestic Wrap: Macarthur down Wanderers; Holders Kuwait SC eliminated

Kuala Lumpur: Macarthur FC had the final say against crosstown rivals Western Sydney Wanderers as French striker Valere Germain completed his hat-trick in second-half injury time to give the Bulls a last-gasp 4-3 victory in Australia on Sunday. 

In Kuwait, last season’s Emir Cup finalists Kuwait SC and Kazma SC both crashed out of the competition after losing on penalties as Al Tadamon, Al Salmiya, Qadsia SC and Al Arabi booked their places in the semi-finals of the tournament’s 62nd edition. 
 
FC Goa and Odisha FC are level on points at the top of the Indian Super League table while matches also took place in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Lebanon and Cambodia, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s domestic action from across the continent.

Quarter-finals In Numbers

Sun, 04 Feb, 2024

Quarter-finals In Numbers

Doha: Only four teams remain in the hunt for continental glory as the quarter-final stage of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ came to an exciting conclusion on Saturday with all four last eight ties producing moments that will live on in the memories of Asian football fans for a very long time. 

Korea Republic, eyeing their first title since 1960, face Jordan in the first semi-final on Tuesday while hosts Qatar meet Islamic Republic of Iran as they continue their title defence on Wednesday, but before that, the-AFC.com reviews the quarter-finals with a closer look at some of the key facts and stats that caught the eye. 

Mohebbi hails Taremi’s guidance

Mon, 05 Feb, 2024

Mohebbi hails Taremi’s guidance

Al Rayyan: Mohammad Mohebbi praised the role Mehdi Taremi played in Islamic Republic of Iran’s 2-1 AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-final win against Japan on Saturday despite the striker being suspended.

The 26-year-old Mohebbi was picked to replace Taremi in the starting line-up, scoring the equaliser that sparked Iran’s comeback win at the Education City Stadium, with the FC Rostov player eager to share how his teammate motivated him.

Agony and ecstasy

Sun, 04 Feb, 2024

Agony and ecstasy

Doha: The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ is down to four teams after an exhilarating quarter-final stage.

Islamic Republic of Iran, Jordan, Korea Republic and Qatar advanced after tight last eight ties with Australia, Japan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan bidding farewell.
 
The quarter-final ties witnessed a gamut of emotions - on and off the pitch - and the-AFC.com shares the joy and despair of the players and fans. 

Lopez: Qatar's focus is only on semi-final

Sun, 04 Feb, 2024

Lopez: Qatar's focus is only on semi-final

Al Khor: Qatar head coach Marquez Lopez is refusing to look beyond his side’s AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ semi-final meeting with the Islamic Republic of Iran as the host nation moved a step closer to successfully defending the title with a 3-2 penalty shoot-out win over Uzbekistan.

Goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham was the hero for the 2019 champions after a 1-1 draw at Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday, the Al Sadd man saving three penalties after 120 minutes of action could not separate the two teams.

Katanec confident bright future awaits Uzbekistan

Sun, 04 Feb, 2024

Katanec confident bright future awaits Uzbekistan

Al Khor: Head coach Srecko Katanec urged his Uzbekistan players to learn from their defeat to Qatar in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-finals on Saturday and bounce back stronger.

Uzbekistan’s quest to emulate, if not better, their 2011 achievement of a fourth place finish came to an end when Pedro Correia scored the winning penalty for Qatar after goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham had saved Jaloliddin Masharipov's spot-kick, with the defending champions winning the shoot-out 3-2.

Japan victory a turning point for Iranian football, says Ghalenoei

Sun, 04 Feb, 2024

Japan victory a turning point for Iranian football, says Ghalenoei

Doha: Head coach Amir Ghalenoei believes Islamic Republic of Iran’s 2-1 victory over Japan in the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ can be a turning point for the nation’s football.

Team Melli came from a goal down at Education City Stadium to defeat the Samurai Blue thanks to two second-half goals from Mohammad Mohebi and Alireza Jahanbakhsh to reach the last four of the AFC Asian Cup for the second time in a row, with defending champions Qatar their next opponents.

Moriyasu accepts responsibility for Japan’s exit

Sun, 04 Feb, 2024

Moriyasu accepts responsibility for Japan’s exit

Al Rayyan: Hajime Moriyasu took responsibility for Japan’s 2-1 defeat to Islamic Republic of Iran in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-final at Education City Stadium on Saturday.

The loss meant the Samurai Blue’s bid for a record-extending fifth title continues, having last emerged champions in 2011.