Abdullatif sends Bahrain to decider, Jordan finish on a high

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Abdullatif sends Bahrain to decider, Jordan finish on a high

Erbil: A solitary goal from Ismaeel Abdullatif was enough to take Bahrain to their first ever WAFF Championship final as they beat Kuwait 1-0 to finish as Group B winners in Iraq on Saturday.

Bahrain’s opponents in Wednesday’s final will be decided on Sunday, with Iraq, Palestine and Yemen all in contention to advance from Group A.

Earlier, also at Franso Hariri Stadium, already-eliminated Jordan cruised to a 3-0 win over Saudi Arabia to finish the competition as group runners-up.

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Ibrahim looking to deepen Syria’s pool ahead of Asian Qualifiers

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Ibrahim looking to deepen Syria’s pool ahead of Asian Qualifiers

Karbala: Fajr Ibrahim wants results at the 2019 WAFF Championship, but the Syrian head coach is also using the tournament as an audition process for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers.

Having gone closer than ever to reaching the 2018 FIFA World Cup Finals in Russia, Syria have cause to be optimistic about reaching Qatar, despite a largely disappointing run of results in 2019.

While star Saudi-based attacking duo Omar Al Soma and Omar Khribin were instrumental in the previous campaign, Ibrahim is using the 2019 WAFF Championship to give a number of fringe and home-based players the chance to press their case for selection.

Al Mutawa wants Kuwait to return to Asian elite

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Mutawa wants Kuwait to return to Asian elite

Erbil: Kuwaiti stalwart Bader Al Mutawa hopes his side’s 2019 WAFF Championship campaign will be the first step on the road back to the top table of Asian football, after they began their campaign with a 2-1 win against Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Romeo Jozak’s side made what most would consider a dream start to life in Erbil, recovering from the concession of an early Rabee Sufyani goal to beat a youthful Saudi side, with Faisal Ajab emerging as the matchwinner.

The win was Kuwait’s first against a national team in 2019, and first outside of their homeland since 2015 after they spent nearly two years out of the international game.

Ould Ali’s Palestine building towards Asian Qualifiers

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Ould Ali’s Palestine building towards Asian Qualifiers

Karbala: Their bid for a first WAFF Championship title is far from over, but Palestine head coach Noureddine Ould Ali has one eye on his side’s Asian Qualifiers campaign for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, which begins in September.

A 1-0 opening match win against Yemen in Group A was followed up by a late 2-1 defeat to hosts Iraq on Friday in a mixed start to the regional championship, giving the Palestinians little room for error if they are to advance to the final on August 14.

But even if Palestine’s WAFF Championship tilt ends at the group stage, Ould Ali sees the competition as important preparation for the crucial Asian Qualifiers to come.

Renard targets teamwork and success for Saudi Arabia

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Renard targets teamwork and success for Saudi Arabia

Jeddah: Newly appointed head coach Hervé Renard has declared that a sense of unity will be key if Saudi Arabia are to have a successful future.

The Frenchman joined the Green Falcons ahead of their imminent FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers campaign, which begins in early September.

Renard - who became the first coach in history to win the Africa Cup of Nations title with two different nations when he led Zambia to glory in 2012 and succeeded again with Côte d’Ivoire three years later – was appointed following his resignation as Morocco national team head coach last month.

In-form Wu raring to take up Zheng's mantle

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

In-form Wu raring to take up Zheng's mantle

Beijing: The age of 30 is a pivotal year for the Chinese. It’s a period during which a man should "establish his firm place in the world" as Confucius defined. 

That words of wisdom rings true for China PR midfielder Wu Xi, who has recently hit the headlines due to his solid performances.

The dynamic midfielder, who turned 30 in February, has been on top of his game for both club and country. Wu has excelled so far in his captaincy role with Jiangsu Suning, as his club are maintaining their place among the top six in the Chinese Super League.

While at international level, he was instrumental throughout China’s AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 campaign where they were ultimately knocked out at the quarter-final stage.

Wilmots sets top spot target for IR Iran

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Wilmots sets top spot target for IR Iran

Kuala Lumpur: Head coach Marc Wilmots has described the Asian Qualifiers draw as not easy but Islamic Republic of Iran's target will be to win the group.

Iran, Asia's top ranked team, were drawn in Group C for Round Two of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Joint Qualifiers.

Team Melli will have to get past Iraq, Bahrain, Hong Kong and Cambodia to advance to the third round, which will not only take them a step closer to a third consecutive FIFA World Cup Finals appearance but also seal them a place in the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Finals.