Al Shehri eyes a winning start for Saudi Arabia; Al Saadi calls for Oman unity

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

Al Shehri eyes a winning start for Saudi Arabia; Al Saadi calls for Oman unity

Doha: Victory against eventual FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 champions Argentina had Saudi Arabia’s goal scorer Saleh Al Shehri believing they can beat any team, as they return to Qatar in pursuit of a fourth AFC Asian Cup™ title.

Al Shehri scored the first goal in the famous 2-1 victory at Lusail Stadium 14 months ago, and has since gone on to score four more times under new head coach Roberto Mancini, taking his overall tally to 13 goals in 27 caps for his country.
 
Next up for the Green Falcon is a fiery clash against neighbours Oman in their opening match of Group F at Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday.

Group F - Saudi Arabia v Oman: Facts & Figures

Sun, 14 Jan, 2024

Group F - Saudi Arabia v Oman: Facts & Figures

Doha: Saudi Arabia begin their bid for a fourth AFC Asian Cup™ title against Oman on Monday.

The Group F tie promises to be a thriller with Oman eager to continue their recent rise.

Theerathon expects vibrant Thailand; Kozubaev keen to show an improved Kyrgyz Republic

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

Theerathon expects vibrant Thailand; Kozubaev keen to show an improved Kyrgyz Republic

Doha: Captain Theerathon Bunmanthan is hoping Thailand will show a new standard when they take on Kyrgyz Republic in their opening AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group F match on Tuesday.

Tamirlan Kozubaev, meanwhile, wants Kyrgyz Republic to aim higher after advancing to the Round of 16 in their AFC Asian Cup debut in UAE 2019. 

Group F - Thailand v Kyrgyz Republic: Facts & Figures

Sun, 14 Jan, 2024

Group F - Thailand v Kyrgyz Republic: Facts & Figures

Doha: Thailand and Kyrgyz Republic will both be seeking a winning start when they square off in Group F of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Tuesday.

It promises to be an exciting clash, with both teams harbouring hopes of advancing to the knockout stage of the continental showpiece.

We must be better, admits Uzbekistan’s Masharipov

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

We must be better, admits Uzbekistan’s Masharipov

Doha: Jaloliddin Masharipov has urged his Uzbekistan teammates to dig deep following their frustrating 0-0 draw with Syria in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group B tie on Saturday. 

The result means Uzbekistan are two points adrift of Australia, who secured a 2-0 win against India with Masharipov admitting the Central Asian side did not perform at their best against Syria.

Ghalehnoy: IR Iran’s strength is our depth

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

Ghalehnoy: IR Iran’s strength is our depth

Al Rayyan: Ardeshir Ghalehnoy was full of praise for his Islamic Republic of Iran side after a 4-1 win over Palestine in their opening AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group C match on Sunday.

In his second stint as head coach of Iran, Ghalehnoy repeated what he did in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup by guiding his side to a winning start to the tournament with the 60-year-old paying tribute to the depth of his squad.

UAE’s Bento satisfied; Andersen applauds resilient Hong Kong, China

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

UAE’s Bento satisfied; Andersen applauds resilient Hong Kong, China

Al Rayyan: United Arab Emirates head coach Paulo Bento remained unfazed about his team’s reliance on penalty kicks to secure their 3-1 victory over Hong Kong, China in Sunday’s AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group C clash. 

UAE, semi-finalists in the last two editions of the continental showpiece, are 86 places ahead of Hong Kong who hold the 150th spot in the latest FIFA World Ranking. 

Patient Japan please Moriyasu

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

Patient Japan please Moriyasu

Doha: Hajime Moriyasu praised his players’ patience as four-time champions Japan ground out a 4-2 win over Vietnam at Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday to make a positive start to their challenge for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

The Japanese were shocked in the 33rd minute when Pham Tuan Hai gave the Philippe Troussier-coached Vietnamese a 2-1 lead after Nguyen Dinh Bac had cancelled out Takumi Minamino’s opener, only for the Samurai Blue to compose themselves to take all three points.
 
Minamino equalised in the 45th minute and Keito Nakamura put Japan ahead just before the interval with substitute Ayase Ueda striking four minutes from time to put the seal on a professional display from Moriyasu’s side.

Philip Chan scores 1000th goal of AFC Asian Cup™

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

Philip Chan scores 1000th goal of AFC Asian Cup™

Al Rayyan: A significant milestone was reached in AFC Asian Cup™ history on Sunday evening when the showpiece tournament of Asia witnessed its 1000th goal at the Khalifa International Stadium.

The landmark strike was scored by Philip Chan for Hong Kong, China in the 49th minute to draw them level against the United Arab Emirates in the Group C encounter at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, which ended 3-1 to the West Asians.