Ghalehnoy’s penalty strategy pays off for IR Iran

Thu, 01 Feb, 2024

Ghalehnoy’s penalty strategy pays off for IR Iran

Doha: Ardeshir Ghalehnoy pinpointed tactical substitutions as the key to Islamic Republic of Iran reaching the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ at the expense of Syria after their Round of 16 match went all the way to a penalty shootout on Wednesday.

Mahdi Torabi was brought on in extra time as Ghalehnoy plotted for the shootout early on, with two other substitutes - Omid Ebrahimi and Karim Ansafarid - three of the five players who scored in the shootout as Iran emerged 5-3 winners after the match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes.
 
Having dominated for much of the match, a change in tactics was necessary after Mehdi Taremi was shown a red card late in the second half after picking up two bookings.

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And then there were eight

Thu, 01 Feb, 2024

And then there were eight

Doha: Five former champions are among the eight teams through to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-finals following the conclusion of the Round of 16 on Wednesday.

Three-time winners Islamic Republic of Iran were the final side to check in, defeating Syria 5-3 on penalties after their tie ended 1-1 after 120 minutes at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.
 
Four-time champions Japan had booked their spot earlier on Wednesday, cruising 3-1 past Bahrain.

Expect more from Japan, warns Moriyasu

Thu, 01 Feb, 2024

Expect more from Japan, warns Moriyasu

Doha: Hajime Moriyasu warned the remaining teams at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ that the Samurai Blue can do better after seeing his side hand Bahrain a 3-1 defeat at Al Thumama Stadium to book their place in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

The four-time champions won despite a minor wobble in the middle of the second half when Ayase Ueda’s own goal gave Bahrain hope following strikes from Ritsu Doan and Takefusa Kubo, but Ueda scored soon after to seal a deserved victory.

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ well poised to smash TV viewership records

Thu, 01 Feb, 2024

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ well poised to smash TV viewership records

AFC’s flagship men’s national team competition Group Stage sees major uplift from 2019 edition

Doha: The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ achieved truly global broadcast coverage throughout the Group Stage as close to 60 media partners and over 120 channels provided worldwide coverage of the pulsating action featuring Asia’s top 24 teams. 

Self-belief the secret behind Jo’s heroics

Wed, 31 Jan, 2024

Self-belief the secret behind Jo’s heroics

Doha: Goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo said Korea Republic’s refusal to give up sealed them a place in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Trailing 1-0 to Saudi Arabia with the match in stoppage time, Cho Gue-sung drew Korea Republic level in the ninth minute with the tie eventually decided by penalties. 
 
Jo, who took over on Matchday Two of the group stage following a tournament-ending injury suffered by first choice keeper Kim Seung-gyu, was the hero in the shoot-out as he kept out Sami Al Naji and Abdulrahman Ghareeb's spot-kicks, with Hwang Hee-chan netting the deciding penalty for a 4-2 win at the  Education City Stadium.

Klinsmann: Korea Republic will be ready for Australia

Wed, 31 Jan, 2024

Klinsmann: Korea Republic will be ready for Australia

Al Rayyan: Jurgen Klinsmann believes Korea Republic’s penalty shoot-out win over Saudi Arabia will give his side a morale boost capable of overcoming any lingering fatigue ahead of their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-final meeting with Australia on Friday.

The Taeguk Warriors will have little more than two full days to recover for the clash with Graham Arnold’s side after needing 120 minutes, plus injury time, and spot-kicks to see off Roberto Mancini’s team at Education City Stadium on Tuesday.

Stubborness driving Fayzullaev's bid to excel

Wed, 31 Jan, 2024

Stubborness driving Fayzullaev's bid to excel

Doha: Abbosbek Fayzullaev did not hesitate to admit that it was his innately resilient nature and inability to accept defeat that drove him in Uzbekistan’s AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16 tie against Thailand on Tuesday.

Having nudged ahead in the first half through Azizbek Turgunboev, Uzbekistan lost their lead just before the one-hour mark. Fayzullaev’s stunning goal from 25 yards, however, took them over the finishing line and into a quarter-final showdown with defending champions Qatar on Saturday.

Katanec proud of Uzbekistan's resilience

Wed, 31 Jan, 2024

Katanec proud of Uzbekistan's resilience

Al Wakrah: Srecko Katanec paid tribute to his players for overcoming obstacles on and off the pitch after Uzbekistan defeated Thailand to reach the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Illness ruled Otabek Shukurov out just before the tie at the Al Janoub Stadium, further crippling an Uzbekistan squad missing key players through injury but that didn’t stop the White Wolves from carving out a 2-1 win, thanks to goals from Azizbek Turg’unboyev and Abbosbek Fayzullaev with defending champions Qatar their quarter-final opponents on Saturday.