#AsianCup2023 smashes historic 1.5 billion engagement mark

Mon, 22 Jan, 2024

#AsianCup2023 smashes historic 1.5 billion engagement mark

Digital engagement at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ nearly doubles from last edition after just 10 days of ongoing tournament

Doha: The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ has engaged with more fans than ever before after just 10 days of competition with impressions on the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s digital channels exceeding the 1.5 billion mark – making it the first AFC competition to reach the breakthrough milestone.

Group C - IR Iran v UAE: Facts & Figures

Mon, 22 Jan, 2024

Group C - IR Iran v UAE: Facts & Figures

Doha: United Arab Emirates will need a result when they face Islamic Republic of Iran in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Tuesday.

A draw will confirm UAE's knockout stage spot while a win will see them finishing above Iran, who have already confirmed their Round of 16 berth. 

Matchday Three: 5 things to look out for

Mon, 22 Jan, 2024

Matchday Three: 5 things to look out for

Doha: After two rounds of fixtures at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, the crucial Matchday Three encounters are set to take place between Monday and Thursday with the line-up for the Round of 16 to be confirmed. 

As things stand, five teams have secured their places in the knockout rounds and just two have been eliminated, leaving 17 sides to battle it out for 11 spots.
 
Ahead of what is sure to be another thrilling set of games, the-AFC.com has selected five things to look out for.

Group C - Hong Kong, China v Palestine: Facts & Figures

Mon, 22 Jan, 2024

Group C - Hong Kong, China v Palestine: Facts & Figures

Doha: Hong Kong, China and Palestine will not hold back when they face off in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Tuesday.

A win might just be enough for Palestine to sneak into the Round of 16, while victory will give Hong Kong an outside chance. 

Matchday Two in Numbers

Mon, 22 Jan, 2024

Matchday Two in Numbers

Doha: The group stage of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ enters its business end after the completion of Matchday Two on Sunday with hosts Qatar, Australia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia maintaining their perfect starts and securing their tickets for the Round of 16. 

Matchday Two witnessed 12 more exciting fixtures that produced 19 goals and eight wins, including Iraq’s stunning 2-1 victory against four-time champions Japan and Bahrain’s last-gasp defeat of Malaysia.
 
Join the-AFC.com as we review the matchday with a closer look at the facts and stats that caught the eye. 

Group B - Australia v Uzbekistan: Facts & Figures

Mon, 22 Jan, 2024

Group B - Australia v Uzbekistan: Facts & Figures

Doha: Top spot will be at stake when Australia and Uzbekistan square off in Group B of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Tuesday.

The already qualified Socceroos only need a draw while a stalemate will seal Uzbekistan - on four points - their spot in the knockout stage while a win will see them finishing as the group winners.

Mancini plays down Saudi Arabia's chances; Tarkovic praises nine-man Kyrgyz Republic

Mon, 22 Jan, 2024

Mancini plays down Saudi Arabia's chances; Tarkovic praises nine-man Kyrgyz Republic

Al Rayyan: Head coach Roberto Mancini played down his Saudi Arabia side’s chances of winning the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ after they booked their place in the Round of 16 with a 2-0 win over Kyrgyz Republic on Sunday.

Goals from midfielders Mohammed Kanno and Faisal Al Ghamdi earned the Green Falcons their second win in the group at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium against a Kyrgyz Republic side who spent the majority of the match playing with 10 men, then with nine after red cards to Aizar Akmatov and Kimi Merk in the eighth and 50th minutes respectively.
 
Saudi Arabia join hosts Qatar, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran and Australia in qualifying to the knockout stage with a game to spare, but Mancini insists his team, continental champions in 1984, 1988 and 1996, are not among the favourites to win the title.