Fantastic four eye Qatar 2023 glory and unique history

Sat, 27 Jan, 2024

Fantastic four eye Qatar 2023 glory and unique history

Doha: Heading into the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, a quartet of head coaches had the opportunity to not just claim Continental glory but also carve out some special history.

Now, with the dust having settled on the Group Stage on Thursday, the title hopes of Jurgen Klinsmann (Korea Republic), Roberto Mancini (Saudi Arabia), Juan Antonio Pizzi (Bahrain) and Hajime Moriyasu (Japan) remain alive after their respective teams sealed qualification to the Round of 16.

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Vote for your Best Match of the Group Stage!

Fri, 26 Jan, 2024

Vote for your Best Match of the Group Stage!

Doha: The group stage of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ drew to a close on Thursday as the 16 teams for the knockout rounds were confirmed while eight sides have now been eliminated. 

Incredible late drama, high-scoring matches and several upsets to boot, the opening three matchdays threw up games that will live long in the memory as the 18th edition of the continental competition got underway in style. 
 
With a short break before the Round of 16 kicks off, the-AFC.com looks back on six of the best group stage encounters and asks you, the fans, to vote for your favourite. 

Group Stage in Numbers

Sat, 27 Jan, 2024

Group Stage in Numbers

Doha: After 36 matches, 87 goals and 16 teams booking their place in the next phase of the competition, the group stage action in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, which gave the supporters plenty to talk about over the past couple of weeks, came to an exciting conclusion on Thursday.

The Round of 16 action will begin with Australia facing Indonesia at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Sunday, but with the dust just settling after the group fixtures, join the-AFC.com as we review the group stage of the continental showpiece by taking a closer look at some of the key facts and stats that caught the eye.

Fans make their mark as teams bid farewell

Sat, 27 Jan, 2024

Fans make their mark as teams bid farewell

Doha: Eight teams bid farewell to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ following the conclusion of the group stage on Thursday.

While their journey may have ended prematurely, the sides did their best and will - undoubtedly - already be planning to feature in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.
 
Following the eight sides every step of the way in Qatar 2023 were their fans and the-AFC.com pays tribute to the supporters who went to great lengths to push their favourite teams. 

Malaysia’s Faisal targets return to continental stage after Korea Republic heroics

Fri, 26 Jan, 2024

Malaysia’s Faisal targets return to continental stage after Korea Republic heroics

Al Wakrah: Faisal Halim was both pleased and disappointed after Malaysia walked away with a 3-3 draw against Korea Republic in their concluding AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group E tie on Thursday.

Faisal scored Malaysia’s first goal at Qatar 2023 in the thrilling stalemate at Al Janoub Stadium, with the Selangor forward praising the incredible collective effort put in by the Southeast Asian team.  

Thailand's Ishii eyeing attacking improvements; Saudi Arabia ready for knockout stage

Fri, 26 Jan, 2024

Thailand's Ishii eyeing attacking improvements; Saudi Arabia ready for knockout stage

Al Rayyan: Head coach Masatada Ishii believes there is room for improvement in the attacking game of his Thailand side heading into the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16. 

Thursday's 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia meant the War Elephants ended their Group F campaign unbeaten and without conceding a single goal, a defensive record only matched by hosts Qatar, but it was at the other end of the pitch that Thailand struggled, scoring only two goals; joint-lowest amongst the teams who reached the knockout stages.

Tarkovic hails Kyrgyz Republic’s courage; Ivankovic rues missed Oman chances

Fri, 26 Jan, 2024

Tarkovic hails Kyrgyz Republic’s courage; Ivankovic rues missed Oman chances

Doha: Kyrgyz Republic bid farewell to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ following a 1-1 draw with Oman in their final Group F tie on Thursday with head coach Stefan Tarkovic lamenting that it could have well have been different for his side if not for injuries and suspensions.  

The Central Asian side, who needed a win by a two-goal margin, trailed for most of the match before Joel Kojo’s equaliser in the 80th minute with the result meaning Oman were also eliminated. 

Bahrain's Pizzi looking forward to Japan showdown

Fri, 26 Jan, 2024

Bahrain's Pizzi looking forward to Japan showdown

Doha: Bahrain head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi is relishing the prospect of a personal rematch with four-time champions Japan in the last 16 of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ after leading his side through to the knockout rounds with a 1-0 win over Jordan on Thursday.

Abdulla Yusuf scored the only goal of the game at Khalifa International Stadium to take the Bahrainis into the Round of 16 as Group E winners and that means Pizzi will lock horns once again with Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu.
 
The pair met at the 2019 edition of the continental championship when Moriyasu led his Japan team to a 1-0 victory over Pizzi’s Saudi Arabia and the Argentinian knows his current side face a significant challenge to move into the quarter-finals.

Round of 16 cast finalised

Fri, 26 Jan, 2024

Round of 16 cast finalised

Doha: Indonesia were the final team to check into the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16 following the conclusion of the group stage on Thursday.

The Southeast Asian side's place was confirmed following the Group F tie between Kyrgyz Republic and Oman ending in a 1-1 draw on Thursday, with Indonesia advancing as one of the four best third-placed teams.
 
It will be Indonesia's first appearance in the knockout stage, with Palestine, Syria and Tajikistan to also feature for the inaugural time.