Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pyongyang: Jorn Andersen believes he is leaving the DPR Korea national team in a much stronger position than when he arrived to take charge two years ago after signing off as head coach by securing a berth at next year’s AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
DPR Korea needed to avoid defeat against Hong Kong on Tuesday to clinch qualification to the Finals for a third tournament in a row and goals from Jong Il-gwan and Pak Kwang-ryong proved enough to claim all three points.
Andersen’s team finished qualifying in second place in Group B, five points behind winners Lebanon but well clear of third placed Hong Kong and basement dwellers Malaysia as they booked their spot in the Finals.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The decision to expand the AFC Asian Cup to 24 teams has had an immediate impact with Kyrgyz Republic, the Philippines and Yemen qualifying for the Finals for the first time in history.
A frenetic final day of qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 saw DPR Korea, the Philippines and Yemen taking the last three available spots on Tuesday.
Kyrgyz Republic ended their campaign with a 2-1 win over India in Group A but they had sealed their place in the Finals after defeating Myanmar 5-1 last Thursday.
Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the three teams who have taken their place among the Continent’s best for next January’s extravaganza in the United Arab Emirates.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pyongyang: DPR Korea secured their place at a third successive AFC Asian Cup Finals on Tuesday as departing coach Jorn Andersen led his side to a 2-0 win over Hong Kong at Kim Il Sung Stadium to book the country’s tickets for next year’s Finals in the United Arab Emirates.
Needing just a point to guarantee their progress to next January’s finals, first half goals from Jong Il-gwan and Pak Kwang-ryong sent DPR Korea on their way to collecting all three points and ending Hong Kong’s hopes in the process.
Hong Kong needed to win to qualify for the Finals for the first time since 1968, but the visitors’ hopes were hit early by the loss of defender Helio Goncalves, who was replaced just 11 minutes into the game by Tong Kin-man after sustaining a knee injury.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manila: The Philippines have progressed to their first ever AFC Asian Cup Finals after goals from Kevin Ingreso and Phil Younghusband secured a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Tajikistan in Group F of the qualifying campaign at Rizal Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, a result which also confirmed Yemen as the group's other qualifiers.
Needing a point to advance to the continental championship, the Philippines failed to convert a number of first-half chances before Akhtam Nazarov’s penalty opened the scoring for the visitors shortly after the hour.
Ingreso levelled with just over 15 minutes to play and Phil Younghusband netted the winner from the spot in the last minute as a place at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 was guaranteed.
The result also confirmed the Central Asians’ exit as their inferior head-to-head record with Yemen meant the West Asians have booked a place in the United Arab Emirates ahead of their game with Nepal later on Tuesday.
After a nervy start, the hosts soon settled into the match and Carli de Murga headed captain Younghusband’s corner from the left narrowly wide in the 11th minute, before Iain Ramsay’s dipping volley six minutes later forced a flying save from Tajikistan goalkeeper Abduaziz Mahkamov.
The Philippines created another opportunity on 25 minutes as Manny Ott slipped the ball wide to Ramsay who laid off to Daisuke Sato but his shot was superbly deflected wide by Davronjon Ergashev.
Simone Rota missed the best chance of the half seven minutes before the interval when the defender’s effort from 10 yards clipped the top of the bar on the way over after the visitors had failed to clear Ramsay’s corner from the right.