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.

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R16: Uzbekistan edge Thailand to set up Qatar showdown

Wed, 31 Jan, 2024

R16: Uzbekistan edge Thailand to set up Qatar showdown

Al Wakrah: Uzbekistan booked a spot in the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ after defeating Thailand 2-1 in their Round of 16 clash at Al Janoub Stadium on Tuesday.

The win, which took Uzbekistan into the quarter-finals of the continental showpiece for the fifth time in six editions, means Srecko Katanec’s side set up an enticing last eight tie against defending champions Qatar at Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday.

R16: Korea Republic beat Saudi Arabia on penalties to advance

Wed, 31 Jan, 2024

R16: Korea Republic beat Saudi Arabia on penalties to advance

Al Rayyan: Jo Hyeon-woo was the hero as Korea Republic progressed to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-finals on Tuesday with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out win over Saudi Arabia at Education City Stadium after the teams shared a 1-1 draw at the end of extra-time.

Jo saved attempts from Sami Al Naji and Abdulrahman Ghareeb in the third and fourth rounds of spot-kicks to leave Hwang Hee-chan to smash the winning penalty into the top corner and set up a meeting with Australia at Al Janoub Stadium on Friday.
 
The game went to penalties after Abdullah Radif had given the Saudis the lead less than a minute into the second half but Cho Gue-sung levelled nine minutes into injury time with a header to take proceedings into extra-time as Korean desperation to equalise paid off.
 
With an additional 30 minutes unable to separate the teams, Hwang hit the decisive penalty after Jo’s pair of saves left the crestfallen Saudis to wait for another three years to reclaim the title they last won in 1996.

Preview - R16: IR Iran v Syria

Thu, 01 Feb, 2024

Preview - R16: IR Iran v Syria

Doha: Head coach Amir Ghalenoei has warned his Islamic Republic of Iran side against making mistakes when they take on Syria in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16 at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium on Wednesday.

Team Melli topped Group C with the full nine points, in the process scoring seven goals and conceding just two, but now face the challenge of a Syria team who were one of the most defensively sound sides of the group stage, having conceded only one goal in Group B.

Preview - R16: Bahrain v Japan

Wed, 31 Jan, 2024

Preview - R16: Bahrain v Japan

Doha: Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu believes criticism of his team’s performances so far at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ are a sign of the new standards set by the Samurai Blue as he prepares for the four-time champions Round of 16 meeting with Bahrain on Wednesday.

The Japanese qualified for the knockout rounds with a second placed finish in Group D despite a 2-1 loss against Iraq on Matchday Two that condemned them to the runners-up slot, setting up the meeting with Group E winners Bahrain.
 
But a lack of their usual fluency and defensive deficiencies that have seen them fail to keep a clean sheet so far in the competition have seen hopes of success for Moriyasu’s team called into question.

Jahanbakhsh: IR Iran will do our best to keep title dream alive

Tue, 30 Jan, 2024

Jahanbakhsh: IR Iran will do our best to keep title dream alive

Doha: Alireza Jahanbakhsh believes the Islamic Republic of Iran’s careful study of Syria’s earlier matches will help the Central Asian side when the two teams meet in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16 at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Wednesday.

Iran were at their best in the group stage, achieving a perfect record of three wins while Syria earned a historic first ever spot in the knockout stage as one of the top four third-placed teams.

Hesar's mission is to keep Syrian flag flying

Tue, 30 Jan, 2024

Hesar's mission is to keep Syrian flag flying

Doha: Ibrahim Hesar said Syria’s qualification to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16 has given them the push they need for their clash against three-time champions Islamic Republic of Iran on Wednesday.

Syria, who booked their place after finishing the group stage as among the four best third-placed teams, are set to appear in the knockout stage of the continental showpiece for the first time.

Al Hayam confident of Bahrain’s chances against Japan

Tue, 30 Jan, 2024

Al Hayam confident of Bahrain’s chances against Japan

Doha: Waleed Al Hayam says Bahrain are ready for a tough encounter but confident of their chances against four-time champions Japan when they meet in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16 at the Al Thumama Stadium on Wednesday.

Bahrain’s confidence is sky high after they bounced back from an opening day 3-1 defeat against Korea Republic to top Group E with wins against Malaysia and Jordan.

We know what to expect from Bahrain, says Japan’s Kubo

Wed, 31 Jan, 2024

We know what to expect from Bahrain, says Japan’s Kubo

Doha: Takefusa Kubo is confident Japan are well prepared for their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16  tie against Bahrain at the Al Thumama Stadium on Wednesday.

Japan advanced to the knockout stage after a second place finish in Group D while Bahrain topped Group E, finishing ahead of Korea Republic. 

Equaliser before the break was crucial for Qatar, says Salman

Tue, 30 Jan, 2024

Equaliser before the break was crucial for Qatar, says Salman

Al Khor: Tarek Salman said Qatar’s equaliser just before half time was the turning point as the defending champions edged Palestine 2-1 to seal their place in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-finals on Monday.

The host nation survived a tough test from Palestine, who took the lead before succumbing to goals from Hassan Al-Haydos and Akram Afif either side of the break.

Al Rashdan commends Jordan’s indomitable spirit

Tue, 30 Jan, 2024

Al Rashdan commends Jordan’s indomitable spirit

Doha: Match-winner Nizar Al Rashdan lauded Jordan's unbreakable spirit after they came from behind to edge Iraq 3-2 to snatch a berth in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-finals on Monday.

The midfielder unleashed a spectacular curling shot from outside the box in the seventh minute of added time, the second of two goals Jordan scored after the completion of regulation time, to set up a clash with Tajikistan on Friday.