Ali Lajami: Fans will be a crucial factor for Saudi Arabia

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024

Ali Lajami: Fans will be a crucial factor for Saudi Arabia

Al Rayyan: Ali Lajami is counting on the support of Saudi Arabian fans to power the Green Falcons in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Round of 16 tie against Korea Republic on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia boast an impressive record against the Taeguk Warriors in their AFC Asian Cup encounters, remaining undefeated in four previous meetings, and Al Nassr defender Lajami is determined to keep things that way.

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R16 - Saudi Arabia v Korea Republic: Facts & Figures

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024

R16 - Saudi Arabia v Korea Republic: Facts & Figures

Doha: Saudi Arabia and Korea Republic are all set for a blockbuster AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16 clash on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia topped Group E while Korea Republic advanced as the Group E runners-up.

R16 - Uzbekistan v Thailand: Facts & Figures

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024

R16 - Uzbekistan v Thailand: Facts & Figures

Doha: Uzbekistan will start as marginal favourites against Thailand in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

The Central Asian side advanced after finishing second in Group B while Thailand were the Group F runners-up.

Uzbekistan have the solutions to unlock Thailand defence, says Xamrobekov

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024

Uzbekistan have the solutions to unlock Thailand defence, says Xamrobekov

Al Wakrah: An Uzbekistan team who made their way to the AFC Asian Cup™ Qatar 2023 round of 16 in the absence of a recognised starting striker have enough solutions to unlock Thailand’s so far impenetrable defence, according to midfielder Odiljon Xamrobekov.

With talisman and captain Eldor Shomurodov missing the competition through injury, Uzbekistan were expected to struggle to find goals in Qatar 2023, but head coach Sereko Katanec’s side were able to advance from Group B unbeaten, with four goals scored by four different players.
 
The Round of 16 sees the White Wolves taking on Thailand at Al Janoub Stadium on Tuesday, opponents who are yet to concede in the tournament, beating Kyrgyz Republic 2-0 and drawing 0-0 against both Oman and Saudi Arabia to finish second in Group F.

Tajikistan heroes Yatimov and Hanonov dedicate historic victory to fans

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024

Tajikistan heroes Yatimov and Hanonov dedicate historic victory to fans

Al Rayyan: Goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov and defender Vahdat Hanonov paid tribute to Tajikistan fans after the pair emerged as the heroes of Tajikistan’s penalty shootout victory over the United Arab Emirates in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16 on Sunday.

Playing their first-ever knockout stage match on their continental debut, the Tajiks took the lead at the half-hour mark through Hanonov whose towering header found its way past goalkeeper Khaled Eisa and into the bottom corner of the Emirati net.
 
Despite being clawed back late in added time through a Khalifa Al Hammadi header, head coach Petar Segrt’s men held out throughout the 30 minutes of extra time to force a penalty shootout in which goalkeeper Yatimov saved from Caio Canedo to set his team up for a 5-3 victory.

Segrt: The target is to keep Tajikistan’s dream running

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024

Segrt: The target is to keep Tajikistan’s dream running

Al Rayyan: Petar Segrt made no attempt to hide his delight after debutants Tajikistan secured a place in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-finals with a 5-3 penalty shootout win over the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.

While the Round of 16 tie ended 1-1 at the end of 120 minutes, Tajikistan were worthy winners and should have really put the game to bed in regulation time but squandered numerous opportunities.

Segrt, however, said he hadn’t been worried when the tie went to penalties at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium with Tajikistan to face either Iraq or Jordan in the quarter-finals on Friday. 

Potent Australia delight Arnold

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024

Potent Australia delight Arnold

Doha: Graham Arnold praised the Socceroos’ forward line after Australia moved into the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Sunday with a 4-0 win over Indonesia to set up a last eight meeting with either Saudi Arabia or Korea Republic.

Jackson Irvine’s strike was deflected into his own net by Elkan Baggott in the 12th minute, with Martin Boyle, Craig Goodwin and Harry Souttar also on target for the 2015 champions.
 
The win means Australia have maintained their record of reaching at least the last eight of the competition at every tournament since joining the Asian Football Confederation in 2006 and Arnold paid tribute to the improving fortunes of his team’s strike force.

Taremi: IR Iran have what it takes to be champions

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024

Taremi: IR Iran have what it takes to be champions

Doha: Mehdi Taremi has spent much of his career being compared to the legendary Ali Daei, but the Islamic Republic of Iran striker is hoping he can go one step further than his mentor and break his nation’s AFC Asian Cup™ drought.

Iranian fans need no reminder of how long it has been since the country last claimed the AFC Asian Cup; since 1976 numerous teams have tried – and failed – to take the title to Tehran for a fourth time.

Team Melli have turned up in Qatar for the current edition of the continental championship with designs on claiming the trophy, another talented team ready to turn 48 years of heartache into euphoria and delight.

The man spearheading the latest challenge is Mehdi Taremi, a player who needs little introduction due to his remarkable exploits for both club and country. A prolific scorer for Porto and Iran, Taremi is hoping to achieve what so many before him have failed to do.

Playing in Europe has made me a better player, says Bahrain's Yusuf

Sun, 28 Jan, 2024

Playing in Europe has made me a better player, says Bahrain's Yusuf

Doha: After starting the first two matches on the bench, Abdulla Yusuf had a major impact on Bahrain’s AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group E clash with Jordan, scoring the goal that took his side into the knockout rounds. 

He tells the-AFC.com about how life in Europe has made him a more complete player.