Jabar Sharza scored twice on Tuesday as the Afghans guaranteed themselves a third place finish in Group C, and although that meant they missed out on the Finals behind group winners Jordan and second placed Vietnam, the German saw plenty to be positive about in his team’s performance.

“Generally we have played some good matches throughout this campaign,” said the veteran coach, who took Togo to the 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals.

“We are raising a team and the players have gathered a lot of experience against teams at a good level. I believe the future of Afghanistan football will be bright, we just have to have more and more professionalism.”

Victory ensured Otto Pfister’s team claimed third place in Group C with six points from their six games while Cambodia ended bottom of the standings three points behind.

Jordan and Vietnam had already secured the top two spots and the berths at next year’s Finals in the United Arab Emirates.

Afghanistan were looking for their first win of the campaign after three draws and two losses and Pfister’s team started strongly, with Sharza looking particularly lively in attack.

But it was the Cambodians who fashioned out the best opening of the first quarter of the game when Chan Vathanka forced Afghanistan goalkeeper Sou Yaty into action in the 21st minute.

After more than three years of captivating action, the final day of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Final Round Qualifiers culminated in an epic night of football with Philippines sealing their first-ever berth for the ultimate stage as well as Yemen, who have advanced for the first time since the country’s unification.

Philippines clinched their historic qualification after overcoming Tajikistan 2-1 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila on Tuesday to take pole position in Group F. The result also confirmed Yemen’s passage in the UAE with Abraham Mebratu's men benefiting from a superior head-to-head record over Tajikistan.

The West Asians, who participated as South Yemen in the 1976 edition, maintained their unbeaten record in Group F after defeating Nepal 2-1 at the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

Earlier in the day, DPR Korea secured their third consecutive appearance in the AFC Asian Cup after a convincing 2-0 home victory over Hong Kong to finish as runners-up in Group B behind Lebanon.

 

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.

The Azkals missed out on a place at the 2015 Finals when they lost to Palestine in the final of the AFC Challenge Cup and their dreams of making a debut appearance at the continental championship were in danger when Akhtam Nazarov scored from the penalty spot to give Tajikistan the lead on Tuesday.

But Kevin Ingreso’s perfectly placed header pulled the Philippines - who only needed a draw to secure a top two finish in Group F – level before Younghusband’s last minute spot-kick sealed the Southeast Asian nation’s passage to their first-ever Finals as group winners.

Jeju Lalpekhlua’s goal for India two minutes from time was just enough to ensure Stephen Constantine’s side finished on top of the standings after both nations had already guaranteed their progress to January’s Finals in the United Arab Emirates.

“We are happy with the victory, but we missed out on gaining first place in the group in the last minutes,” said Krestinin.

“We began the game very well. We put up a strong battle on the pitch and scored an early goal. We did that for a second time in a row.

“India are a good team and they haven't lost any of their recent matches so we were able to achieve victory over a tough opponent.

“Our aim was to win this match and I think we showed the fans some good football. We have qualified to the final stage of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time. It’s a good achievement and means a dream has come true for my players.”

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.