Bahrain's Madan dedicates goal to family; Kim accepts responsibility for Malaysia’s defeat

Sun, 21 Jan, 2024

Bahrain's Madan dedicates goal to family; Kim accepts responsibility for Malaysia’s defeat

Doha: Ali Madan dedicated his match-winning goal to his family after Bahrain’s 1-0 victory over Malaysia in Group E of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday.

The midfielder struck deep into second half stoppage time to break Malaysian hearts and, more importantly, revive Bahrain’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stage, with the West Asian side a point adrift of Jordan and Korea Republic.
 
They play Jordan on Thursday, knowing victory will take them through to the Round of 16 despite having kicked off their campaign wih a 3-1 defeat to Korea Republic.

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Klinsmann hails Korea Republic for not giving up; Jordan make Ammouta proud

Sun, 21 Jan, 2024

Klinsmann hails Korea Republic for not giving up; Jordan make Ammouta proud

Doha: Korea Republic coach Jurgen Klinsmann heralded his team’s fighting spirit after the Taeguk Warriors salvaged a 2-2 with Jordan on Saturday through Yazan Al Arab’s late own goal in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group B tie.

The Jordanians succumbed following a prolonged period of sustained Korean pressure to give up the equaliser in the 91st minute having been on the cusp of a famous win against the two-time AFC Asian Cup winners.
 
Son Heung-min had given the Koreans a ninth minute lead from the penalty spot but Park Yong-woo’s own goal and a strike from distance by Yazan Al Naimat in first half injury time meant Klinsmann’s side were forced to launch a second half fightback to share the points.

Group E: Bahrain 1-0 Malaysia

Sun, 21 Jan, 2024

Group E: Bahrain 1-0 Malaysia

Doha: Ali Madan scored in the final seconds as Bahrain edged Malaysia 1-0 in Group E of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar™ 2023 at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday.

The win revives Bahrain’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stage, with the West Asian side to face Jordan on Thursday while the defeat ends Malaysia’s hopes, with the Southeast Asian side to conclude their campaign against Korea Republic. 

Group E: Jordan 2-2 Korea Republic

Sun, 21 Jan, 2024

Group E: Jordan 2-2 Korea Republic

Doha: Yazan Al Arab’s injury-time own goal gifted Korea Republic a 2-2 draw against Jordan in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Saturday as Jurgen Klinsmann’s side escaped with a point from their Group E clash at Al Thumama Stadium.

Al Arab put the ball in his own net to level the scores and cancel out Yazan Al Naimat’s goal in first half injury time, which had looked set to earn the Jordanians the win and secure a place in the last 16 for Lhoussanine Ammouta’s side.
 
Al Naimat struck six minutes into time added on at the end of the first half after Park Yong-woo’s own goal had wiped out Son Heung-min’s early penalty but Al Arab’s own goal means both teams sit on four points after their opening two group games.

Preview - Group F: Kyrgyz Republic v Saudi Arabia

Mon, 22 Jan, 2024

Preview - Group F: Kyrgyz Republic v Saudi Arabia

Doha: Head coaches Roberto Mancini and Stefan Tarkovic believe their respective sides can learn a lesson or two from Iraq’s 2-1 victory against Japan on Friday, as Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyz Republic prepare to face-off in Group F of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Sunday.

Having come from a goal behind to defeat Oman 2-1 in their opening match, the Green Falcons need a win to book their place in the Round of 16, but for Mancini, the task will not be easy against a Kyrgyz side ranked 40 places below them, as shown by 68th-ranked Iraq defeating 18th ranked Japan.

Preview - Group F: Oman v Thailand

Sun, 21 Jan, 2024

Preview - Group F: Oman v Thailand

Doha: Branko Ivankovic has full faith in his Oman side to get the job done when they face Thailand in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group F tie on Sunday.

Satisfied with his team’s spirited performance despite the 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening match, Ivankovic is certain Oman have what it takes to bounce back and reignite their knockout stage hopes. 

Batyrkanov urges Kyrgyz Republic to deliver; Al Kassar expects Saudi Arabia to prevail

Sat, 20 Jan, 2024

Batyrkanov urges Kyrgyz Republic to deliver; Al Kassar expects Saudi Arabia to prevail

Doha: Ernist Batyrkanov believes Kyrgyz Republic can spring a surprise when they face Saudi Arabia in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar™ 2023 Group F tie at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Sunday.

Ahmed Al Kassar, meanwhile, is confident that Saudi Arabia are well prepared to walk away with their second win. 

Al Yahyaei, Weerathep equally confident of victory

Sat, 20 Jan, 2024

Al Yahyaei, Weerathep equally confident of victory

Doha: Oman’s Salaah Al Yahyaei and Thailand’s Weerathep Pomphun are determined to power their respective sides to three points when the two teams meet in Group F of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Sunday.

Oman need victory to get their campaign back on track after a heartbreaking loss to Saudi Arabia on Matchday One while Thailand - who defeated Kyrgyz Republic in their opener - will confirm their spot in the knockout stage with another three points. 

Andersen proud of performance, Ghalenoei unhappy with missed chances

Sat, 20 Jan, 2024

Andersen proud of performance, Ghalenoei unhappy with missed chances

Al Rayyan: Head coach Jorn Andersen expressed his pride of his Hong Kong, China players despite their 1-0 defeat to Islamic Republic of Iran in their second match in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Friday.

The East Asian side, the lowest ranked in the tournament, fought hard but were undone by a first-half finish from Mehdi Ghayedi, ending the game at Khalifa International Stadium just one goal behind IR Iran side ranked 129 places above them.

Young Indonesia live up to Shin’s expectations

Sat, 20 Jan, 2024

Young Indonesia live up to Shin’s expectations

Doha: Shin Tae-yong was a happy man after Indonesia secured a 1-0 win over Vietnam in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group D tie on Friday to reignite their hopes of reaching the knockout stage for the first time.

The victory over Vietnam is only Indonesia’s third win at the AFC Asian Cup, with the other two coming against Bahrain (2-1 in 2007) and Qatar (2-1 in 2004) as well as being only the second time they have managed to keep a clean sheet in the continental showpiece.
 
Asnawi Mangkualam’s first half penalty proved to be the difference in a tightly-fought contest at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium with Shin not holding back his praise for his young squad.

We were almost perfect, says Iraq's Casas

Fri, 19 Jan, 2024

We were almost perfect, says Iraq's Casas

Al Rayyan: Jesus Casas declared Iraq’s performance “close to the perfect match” after the Lions of Mesopotamia booked their place in the last 16 of the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ on Friday with an impressive 2-1 win over four-time champions Japan at Education City Stadium.

Aymen Hussein scored both goals for Casas’ side before Wataru Endo headed in a late consolation as the Iraqis notched up back-to-back wins that guarantee their progress to the Round of 16 ahead of their final group game against Vietnam.