Sri Lanka, Brunei shine in pilot FIFA Series

Fri, 29 Mar, 2024

Sri Lanka, Brunei shine in pilot FIFA Series

Kuala Lumpur: The inaugural FIFA Series took place across six different locations over the recent international period featuring 24 teams from all over the world including five from Asia.

Mongolia, Cambodia, Brunei Darussalam, Sri Lanka and Bhutan were all part of the new FIFA initiative, so join the-AFC.com as we recap how these teams fared.

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#AsianQualifiers - MD4: 5 things we learned

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

#AsianQualifiers - MD4: 5 things we learned

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Four of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ concluded on Tuesday with another round of high octane action.

The players will now focus on their club commitments before converging again in June for the final two rounds of matches. 
 
Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at five things we learned from Matchday Four. 

Al Ghassani credits Bento for UAE masterclass against Yemen

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Al Ghassani credits Bento for UAE masterclass against Yemen

Al Khobar: Yahya Al Ghassani believes head coach Paulo Bento’s due diligence worked in the United Arab Emirates’ favour as they claimed a 3-0 victory against Yemen in Group H of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Tuesday.

A fourth straight win sealed their progress into the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and booked their ticket to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Ghalenoei wants a sharper IR Iran, Andersen sees positives in Hong Kong, China

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Ghalenoei wants a sharper IR Iran, Andersen sees positives in Hong Kong, China

Ashgabat: Amir Ghalenoei is demanding more potency from his Islamic Republic of Iran team despite having secured a spot at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and reaching Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers following a 1-0 win over Turkmenistan on Tuesday.

The head coach, who steered Iran to the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, was unhappy at the profligacy that could have been costly for Team Melli.

Team spirit vital to Kyrgyz Republic success, says Tarkovic

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Team spirit vital to Kyrgyz Republic success, says Tarkovic

Bishkek: Head coach Stefan Tarkovic credited his team’s unity for the 5-1 win over Chinese Taipei in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group D tie on Tuesday.

The win ensured Kyrgyz Republic stayed on top of the standings with nine points, ahead of Oman on goal difference, with Chinese Taipei remaining bottom.

Irandust: Mentality change the key for Syria

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Irandust: Mentality change the key for Syria

Dammam: Daleho Irandust praised Syria's determination after they brushed aside Myanmar 7-0  in their FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Grpup B tie on Tuesday.

Confidence was dented in the Syrian camp following the 1-1 draw in Yangon on Thursday but at the same time, the result also acted as a motivation according to Irandust.

Afif delighted with Qatar’s qualification; Westwood targets bigger things for Afghanistan

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Afif delighted with Qatar’s qualification; Westwood targets bigger things for Afghanistan

Kuwait City: Captain Akram Afif was proud to see Qatar pass a tough Kuwait test to secure a 2-1 win that clinched their spot in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Tuesday.

All three goals were scored in a space of four minutes late in the game with Almoez Ali’s double doing the trick for the reigning AFC Asian Cup champions, confirming them as Group A winners with two matches to spare.

Casas pleased tweaks worked for Iraq; Shin proud of Indonesia’s improvement

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Casas pleased tweaks worked for Iraq; Shin proud of Indonesia’s improvement

Manila: Head coach Jesus Casas said learnings from the first meeting against Philippines paved the way for a 5-0 success on Tuesday that saw Iraq qualify for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and reach the third Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Needing a late goal to secure a home win in Basra on Thursday, it was a completely different scenario at Rizal Memorial Stadium as Iraq raced to a 3-0 first half lead in a commanding performance which took them to a perfect 12 points. 

Troussier parts ways with Vietnam

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Troussier parts ways with Vietnam

Hanoi: The Vietnam Football Federation has announced the departure of national team head coach Philippe Troussier after a 3-0 loss to Indonesia in the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Tuesday.

The 69-year-old Frenchman leaves the post with immediate effect and his departure comes less than a year after he took over as the full-time replacement for Park Hang-seo.