‘We’re still alive’, insists Dooley after late Philippines drama

Sun, 12 Jun, 2022

‘We’re still alive’, insists Dooley after late Philippines drama

Ulaanbaatar: Philippines head coach Thomas Dooley has said his side are still alive in the battle for AFC Asian Cup 2023™ qualification after the Azkals secured a last-gasp 1-0 win over Mongolia at MFF Stadium on Saturday.

Having played out a scoreless draw in their opening game against Yemen on Wednesday, the Southeast Asians looked to be heading towards the same result against the Mongolians after Patrick Reichelt saw his 77th-minute penalty saved by Munkh-Erdene Enkhtaivan, only for debutant Gerrit Holtmann to score a 93rd-minute winner and seal the win for Philippines.

The victory moved Philippines to four points from two games and leaves them in second place in Group B ahead of their final game against table-toppers Palestine – who beat Yemen 5-0 – on Tuesday, when a win would see Dooley’s team advance to the continental competition as group winners.

Jordan's Hamad praises ASEAN football progress after hard-fought Indonesia tie

Sun, 12 Jun, 2022

Jordan's Hamad praises ASEAN football progress after hard-fought Indonesia tie

Kuwait City: Jordan head coach Adnan Hamad praised the progress of ASEAN football after his side laboured to a 1-0 victory against Indonesia on Matchday Two of the AFC Asian Cup™ 2023 Qualifiers Final Round Group A on Saturday.

Yazan Al Naimat’s close-range finish was the difference at the final whistle in Jaber Al Ahmad Stadium with Indonesia having defended resiliently to keep their opponents at bay before their defences were penetrated five minutes into the second half.

Sousa applauds cool Bahrain after Malaysia win

Sun, 12 Jun, 2022

Sousa applauds cool Bahrain after Malaysia win

Kuala Lumpur: Head coach Helio Sousa praised his Bahrain side for maintaining their composure in the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round Group E win over Malaysia at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Saturday.

Bahrain found themselves trailing to Mohamadou Sumareh's 54th minute opener but only needed three minutes to equalise through Ali Abdula Haram. Abdulla Yusuf Helal then converted from the penalty spot nine minutes from time as Sousa's side moved to six points, leaving them only needing a draw to seal their place in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 Finals.

Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan promise to give it all in showdown

Sun, 12 Jun, 2022

Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan promise to give it all in showdown

Bishkek: Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan will leave no stone unturned ahead of their AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round Matchday Three clash after both registered their second successive wins in Group F on Saturday.

Tajikistan defeated Singapore 1-0 to lead the standings on goal difference with Kyrgyz Republic beating Myanmar 2-0.

Hong Kong's Andersen excited with India 'final'

Sun, 12 Jun, 2022

Hong Kong's Andersen excited with India 'final'

Kolkata: Hong Kong head coach Jorn Andersen is relishing going head-to-head with AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round Group D hosts India in the battle for top spot after seeing his side record a second consecutive win in Kolkata on Saturday with a 3-0 victory over Cambodia.

The pair meet on Tuesday with first place in the group and an automatic berth in the Finals at stake after first half goals from Matt Orr and Sun Ming-him put Hong Kong in command before Philip Chan struck in the 63rd minute to seal a comfortable win.

Thailand’s Polking relishing Uzbekistan test after Sri Lanka victory

Sun, 12 Jun, 2022

Thailand’s Polking relishing Uzbekistan test after Sri Lanka victory

Namangan: Thailand and Uzbekistan are braced for a final day showdown after registering their second consecutive victories in their AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round Group C campaigns on Saturday.

Thailand defeated Sri Lanka 2-0, while hosts Uzbekistan flexed their muscles, firing four unanswered goals past Maldives at the Markaziy Stadium. 

With six points from two matches, the teams will battle for top spot on Matchday Three.

Job not done as Olyroo Francois targets title

Sun, 12 Jun, 2022

Job not done as Olyroo Francois targets title

Tashkent: A buoyant Tyrese Francois is determined to lead Australia to the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 title after their 1-0 quarter-final win over Turkmenistan on Saturday.

An own goal by Oraz Orazov in the 74th minute saw Australia reach their second successive AFC U23 Asian Cup semi-finals, with a last four tie against either Saudi Arabia or Vietnam to come.

Kapadze: Uzbekistan showed amazing spirit in overcoming Iraq

Sun, 12 Jun, 2022

Kapadze: Uzbekistan showed amazing spirit in overcoming Iraq

Tashkent: While admitting that his side found themselves in a rather sticky situation in their AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 quarter-final against Iraq, head coach Timur Kapadze was proud with the amazing response his Uzbekistan players produced to book their semi-final spot.

Reduced to 10 men following goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov’s sending off for violent conduct at the Pakhtakor Stadium on Saturday, Uzbekistan fought back from 1-0 down to lead 2-1, only for penalties to be needed to decide the last eight tie after Iraq equalised to take the match into extra-time.

Uzbekistan proved to be the cooler of the two sides in the shootout, with the 2018 champions advancing with a 3-2 win.

Inter-Confederation Playoff: Players to Watch

Sun, 12 Jun, 2022

Inter-Confederation Playoff: Players to Watch

Doha: The excitement of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification will reach a climax when AFC representatives Australia take on CONMEBO's Peru in the Inter-Confederation Playoff tie that will take place at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha on Monday. 

After a grueling two and a half year qualification campaign for both nations in which they perhaps did not reach their original set of objectives, a chance for salvation remains for the victor on Monday night, and the-AFC.com takes a look at six of the likely catalysts for success and those who helped Graham Arnold’s and Ricardo Gareca’s men reach this stage.