Matchday Two in Numbers

Mon, 22 Jan, 2024

Matchday Two in Numbers

Doha: The group stage of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ enters its business end after the completion of Matchday Two on Sunday with hosts Qatar, Australia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia maintaining their perfect starts and securing their tickets for the Round of 16. 

Matchday Two witnessed 12 more exciting fixtures that produced 19 goals and eight wins, including Iraq’s stunning 2-1 victory against four-time champions Japan and Bahrain’s last-gasp defeat of Malaysia.
 
Join the-AFC.com as we review the matchday with a closer look at the facts and stats that caught the eye. 

Mancini plays down Saudi Arabia's chances; Tarkovic praises nine-man Kyrgyz Republic

Mon, 22 Jan, 2024

Mancini plays down Saudi Arabia's chances; Tarkovic praises nine-man Kyrgyz Republic

Al Rayyan: Head coach Roberto Mancini played down his Saudi Arabia side’s chances of winning the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ after they booked their place in the Round of 16 with a 2-0 win over Kyrgyz Republic on Sunday.

Goals from midfielders Mohammed Kanno and Faisal Al Ghamdi earned the Green Falcons their second win in the group at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium against a Kyrgyz Republic side who spent the majority of the match playing with 10 men, then with nine after red cards to Aizar Akmatov and Kimi Merk in the eighth and 50th minutes respectively.
 
Saudi Arabia join hosts Qatar, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran and Australia in qualifying to the knockout stage with a game to spare, but Mancini insists his team, continental champions in 1984, 1988 and 1996, are not among the favourites to win the title.

Oman’s Ivankovic, Thailand’s Ishii satisfied with draw

Mon, 22 Jan, 2024

Oman’s Ivankovic, Thailand’s Ishii satisfied with draw

Doha: Branko Ivankovic commended the resilience of his Oman side after their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group F encounter with Thailand ended in a 0-0 draw on Sunday.

The Oman head coach also praised Thailand's defensive prowess and conceded to having been out of options when his side struggled to penetrate their opponents' resolute backline.

Passion and pride in full flow

Mon, 22 Jan, 2024

Passion and pride in full flow

Doha: AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ action has not only been spectacular on the pitch but also in the stands with fans doing their best to cheer the 24 teams on.

The supporters have gone to great lengths to will their teams on and the-AFC.com highlights some who have caught the eye at the stadiums hosting the matches. 

Preview - Group A: Qatar v China PR

Mon, 22 Jan, 2024

Preview - Group A: Qatar v China PR

Doha: China PR head coach Aleksandar Jankovic said it was a “privilege” that his team have their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ fate in their own hands as they go into their final Group A meeting with hosts Qatar on Monday knowing a win will take them into the knockout rounds.

Draws against Tajikistan and Lebanon mean a win will guarantee the two-times AFC Asian Cup runners-up a place in the last 16 while a draw could also take Jankovic’s side through to the next phase of the competition.

Preview - Group A: Tajikistan v Lebanon

Mon, 22 Jan, 2024

Preview - Group A: Tajikistan v Lebanon

Doha: Head coach Petar Segrt is confident of three points when Tajikistan face Lebanon in their final AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group A tie at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Monday.

Both teams secured draws against China PR and a win for either side will boost their chances of advancing into the Round of 16.

Tajikistan’s Umarbayev, Lebanon’s Khamis determined to clinch decisive win

Sun, 21 Jan, 2024

Tajikistan’s Umarbayev, Lebanon’s Khamis determined to clinch decisive win

Doha: Midfielder Parvizdzhon Umarbayev believes the hard work Tajikistan have put in will yield positive results when the tournament debutants face Lebanon in their must-win AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group A tie on Monday.

Tajikistan and Lebanon currently occupy the third and fourth positions in the standings, each having secured a single point.

Fathy promises focused Qatar; Wang optimistic China PR will advance

Sun, 21 Jan, 2024

Fathy promises focused Qatar; Wang optimistic China PR will advance

Doha: Qatar midfielder Ahmed Fathy insists he and his teammates will not ease off in their meeting with China PR at Khalifa International Stadium on Monday despite having secured their place in the last 16 of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ as Group A winners.

Fathy has played a leading role thus far, one of only six players Marquez Lopez has chosen to start both their matches against Lebanon and Tajikistan - having only featured in one game during Qatar's title-winning run in 2019.