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.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/video/asiancup2023_|_group_f__kyrgyz_republic_0_-_2_saudi_arabia_1.html

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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: 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.

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.

Bahrain's Madan dedicates goal to family; Kim accepts responsibility for Malaysia’s defeat

Sun, 21 Jan, 2024

Bahrain's Madan dedicates goal to family; Kim accepts responsibility for Malaysia’s defeat

Doha: Ali Madan dedicated his match-winning goal to his family after Bahrain’s 1-0 victory over Malaysia in Group E of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday.

The midfielder struck deep into second half stoppage time to break Malaysian hearts and, more importantly, revive Bahrain’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stage, with the West Asian side a point adrift of Jordan and Korea Republic.
 
They play Jordan on Thursday, knowing victory will take them through to the Round of 16 despite having kicked off their campaign wih a 3-1 defeat to Korea Republic.

Klinsmann hails Korea Republic for not giving up; Jordan make Ammouta proud

Sun, 21 Jan, 2024

Klinsmann hails Korea Republic for not giving up; Jordan make Ammouta proud

Doha: Korea Republic coach Jurgen Klinsmann heralded his team’s fighting spirit after the Taeguk Warriors salvaged a 2-2 with Jordan on Saturday through Yazan Al Arab’s late own goal in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group B tie.

The Jordanians succumbed following a prolonged period of sustained Korean pressure to give up the equaliser in the 91st minute having been on the cusp of a famous win against the two-time AFC Asian Cup winners.
 
Son Heung-min had given the Koreans a ninth minute lead from the penalty spot but Park Yong-woo’s own goal and a strike from distance by Yazan Al Naimat in first half injury time meant Klinsmann’s side were forced to launch a second half fightback to share the points.