Asian Cup - Landing Page

Eleven teams booked their tickets from the six qualifying groups that were played in Bishkek, Kolkata, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait City, Namangan and Ulaanbaatar.

They join the 13 teams who had already sealed their places following the conclusion of the second round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ in June, 2021.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the cast of the AFC Asian Cup 2023.

Team Garuda stunned Kuwait 2-1 in the opening match, a result that eventually proved the difference as they finished three points ahead of the hosts to seal one of the five best runners-up spots and qualify alongside group winners Jordan.

Qualification was confirmed on the final matchday with a 7-0 triumph over Nepal to help Indonesia pip Group B runners-up the Philippines to the final spot in the Continental showpiece.

Jaloliddin Masharipov and Azizbek Turgunbaye were on target for Uzbekistan, who topped the group with nine points, while Thailand - with two victories - also advanced to the Continental Finals as one of the five best runners-up.

After results elsewhere in Asia had made their position safe, the Tajiks played out a goalless draw against a Kyrgyz Republic side roared on by 17,340 fans at Dolen Omurazkov, sending both teams through to next year’s Finals.

For Tajikistan, that represents the end of a wait stretching back to 1996, where they missed out on that year’s AFC Asian Cup after throwing away a four-goal aggregate lead in a two-match playoff against Uzbekistan.

Palestine went into their Matchday Three encounter against the Southeast Asians needing just a point to secure their ticket to a third successive AFC Asian Cup™ and goals from Saleh Chihadeh and Seyam had them two up at the interval before Mohammed Yamin and Mahmoud Abuwarda added further goals after the restart.

Anwar Ali, Sunil Chhetri, Glan Martins and Ishan Pandita were all on target as the hosts claimed a third consecutive victory to finish on top of the standings with maximum points ahead of Hong Kong as both teams secured tickets for the Finals.

Malaysia went into their Matchday Three AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round Group E tie against Bangladesh on Tuesday knowing a win would confirm their first appearance in the Continental showpiece since 2007 and promptly cruised to a 4-1 win.

The victory also meant Malaysia qualified for the AFC Asian Cup on merit for the first time since the 1980 edition and Kim was proud that his team had delivered.

Eleven teams booked their tickets from the six qualifying groups that were played in Bishkek, Kolkata, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait City, Namangan and Ulaanbaatar, with Tajikistan creating history by confirming their first appearance in the Continental showpiece.

The 11 qualifiers join the 13 teams who had already booked their places after the second round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ in June, 2021.

Head coach Shin Tae-yong’s men finished second in the group behind Jordan, pipping the Philippines to the fifth best runners-up ticket to the Continental showpiece and qualifying to the tournament for the first time since co-hosting it in 2007.

The result means Jordan qualify for the AFC Asian Cup for the fourth time in a row while Kuwait, champions in 1980, miss out on two consecutive editions for the first time in their history, having previously only failed to qualify in 1992, 2007 and 2019.

Jaloliddin Masharipov opened the scoring for Uzbekistan with Azizbek Turgunbayev sealing the win, which meant Uzbekistan topped the group with a maximum nine points, while Thailand - with two victories - also advanced as one of the five best runners-up.

Results elsewhere on Tuesday meant both sides had done enough to qualify even before a ball was kicked at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, but they nonetheless showed a fierce desire to earn bragging rights over their regional rivals.

While Kyrgyz Republic had the better of the chances, it was a night to cherish for Tajikistan who had been trying to reach Asia’s biggest national event since 1996, and finally succeeded as group winners in Bishkek.

With seven points apiece, it was goal difference that separated the Central Asian duo, with Tajikistan edging out their Kyrgyz rivals, just as they had done in Qatar 2022 qualifying.