AFC Asian Qualifiers Road to Qatar Playoff - UAE v Australia: How They Got There

Sun, 05 Jun, 2022

AFC Asian Qualifiers Road to Qatar Playoff - UAE v Australia: How They Got There

Doha: The United Arab Emirates and Australia lock horns on Tuesday at Al Rayyan Stadium to determine the AFC representatives to face Peru in the Intercontinental Playoff six days later with a place at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 the ultimate prize.

The game marks the penultimate step in a two-and-a-half year journey including 18 matches over the course of two rounds, the first of which was interrupted by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic early in 2020 forcing it to continue just under two years later in a centralised format.

With the UAE eyeing a return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1990, and Australia targeting a fifth consecutive appearance on the world stage, the-AFC.com revisits the path that led both teams to this point.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/video/asianqualifiers_-_group_a_|_united_arab_emirates_2_-_2_iraq.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/video/asianqualifiers_-_group_a_|_united_arab_emirates_1_-_0_korea_republic.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/video/asianqualifiers_-_group_b_|_japan_2_-_0_australia.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/video/asianqualifiers_-_group_b_|_oman_2_-_2_australia.html

Saleh leads new UAE generation looking to overcome vital Australia Playoff

Sat, 04 Jun, 2022

Saleh leads new UAE generation looking to overcome vital Australia Playoff

Doha: Mercurial winger Ali Saleh leads a generational shift at the United Arab Emirates national team as they prepare to take on Australia in the AFC Asian Qualifiers Road to Qatar Playoff on Tuesday.

It is difficult to believe Saleh is still eligible to represent the UAE at the ongoing AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 given how long he has been kicking around. The winger made his first team debut at his hometown club Al Wasl at 15, and by the age of 19 he had become a full international, underlining the potential seen in him by various coaches from an early age.

Australia’s Boyle relishing big stage ahead of crucial UAE Playoff

Sat, 04 Jun, 2022

Australia’s Boyle relishing big stage ahead of crucial UAE Playoff

Doha: Australia winger Martin Boyle hopes his recent big-game experience will come to the fore when the Socceroos face United Arab Emirates in Tuesday’s winner-take-all AFC Asian Qualifiers Road to Qatar Playoff.

Having qualified for the previous four FIFA World Cups, a third-place finish in the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar Group B means Graham Arnold’s side must repeat the treacherous playoff journey navigated by Ange Postecoglou’s squad on the Road to Russia, with victories against the UAE then fifth-placed South American side Peru required if the Australian streak is to continue.

UAE v Australia: 6 players to watch out for during the Asian Playoff

Fri, 03 Jun, 2022

UAE v Australia: 6 players to watch out for during the Asian Playoff

Doha: With the clock ticking down to the kick-off of the AFC Asian Qualifiers Road to Qatar Playoff between the United Arab Emirates and Australia, the excitement and anticipation from both sets of fans are starting to reach fever pitch.

Here are six players to watch out for as Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side clash against Graham Arnold’s team in Al Rayyan on June 7.

Asian Playoffs: 4 Classic Encounters

Thu, 02 Jun, 2022

Asian Playoffs: 4 Classic Encounters

Kuala Lumpur: With Australia and the United Arab Emirates set to face off in the AFC Asian Qualifiers Road to Qatar Playoff on June 7, we recall some of the most memorable encounters when the continent’s sides have gone head-to-head with FIFA World Cup™ qualification on the line.

From Japan reaching the global showpiece for the first time to an incredible ending in Riyadh, penalty shootout drama in Tashkent and Syria coming so close to a fairy tale ending, the-AFC.com looks back at four unforgettable Asian Playoffs.