Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Karbala: Hosts Iraq got their campaign up and running with a 1-0 win over Lebanon, while Palestine also claimed a single-goal success against Yemen as the 2019 WAFF Championship got underway in Karbala on Tuesday.
IRAQ 1-0 LEBANON
A second-half goal from Hussein Ali helped hosts Iraq make a winning start, with Srecko Katanec’s side overcoming Lebanon 1-0 at Karbala International Stadium.
Ali’s decisive 58th minute strike followed a commanding first-half performance from Iraq, who entertained a large and enthusiastic crowd throughout the opening period but failed to find an opening goal.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/iraq-lebanon1-waff-afp.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia have unveiled two-time African Cup of Nations winner Hervé Renard as their new national head coach.
The Frenchman joins 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 African title with two different nations when he led Zambia to glory in 2012 and succeeded again with Côte d’Ivoire three years later – joins the Saudi setup following his resignation as Moroccan national team head coach two weeks ago.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With their challengers all ranked higher than them, Guam are counting on home ground advantage to make a mark in the Asian Qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.
Guam are in Group A of the Asian Qualifiers with China PR, Maldives, Philippines and Syria the teams they have to face.
It will be a tough challenge as Guam, at 198, are the lowest ranked team in the group.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Ulaanbaatar: Mongolia will face their toughest challenge yet following the result of the Asian Qualifiers draw for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 but the Blue Wolves are determined to continue charting history.
Head coach Michael Weiss’ side will be making their first-ever appearance in the second round of the Asian Qualifiers with Japan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Myanmar to contend with in Group F.
Despite being in unfamiliar territory, Weiss is relishing the prospect of meeting heavyweights such as four-time AFC Asian Cup champions Japan.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
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.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manila: Philippines head coach Scott Cooper will place his trust in a mix of youth and experience for the Asian Qualifiers of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.
Cooper has been with Azkals since last year, overseeing training with Sven Goran Eriksson, who had a brief stint with the squad during the 2018 AFF Championship and 2019 AFC Asian Cup UAE in January.
The Philippines made their historic debut in UAE but ended their campaign in the group stage of the Continental competition after finishing behind Kyrgyz Republic, China PR and Korea Republic.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic will remain true to the style they have developed under Paulo Bento, the Portuguese head coach said after Wednesday’s Asian Qualifiers draw for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 at AFC House.
Drawn alongside Lebanon, DPR Korea, Turkmenistan and Sri Lanka in a logistically-challenging Group H, Bento said that, while the approach may vary slightly for individual opponents, Korea Republic’s overarching philosophy will remain.
“Preparations, until now have, been good,” said the 50-year-old, who led Sporting and Olympiacos to silverware in European club football.