Thailand's Ishii eyeing attacking improvements; Saudi Arabia ready for knockout stage

Fri, 26 Jan, 2024

Thailand's Ishii eyeing attacking improvements; Saudi Arabia ready for knockout stage

Al Rayyan: Head coach Masatada Ishii believes there is room for improvement in the attacking game of his Thailand side heading into the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16. 

Thursday's 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia meant the War Elephants ended their Group F campaign unbeaten and without conceding a single goal, a defensive record only matched by hosts Qatar, but it was at the other end of the pitch that Thailand struggled, scoring only two goals; joint-lowest amongst the teams who reached the knockout stages.

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Tarkovic hails Kyrgyz Republic’s courage; Ivankovic rues missed Oman chances

Fri, 26 Jan, 2024

Tarkovic hails Kyrgyz Republic’s courage; Ivankovic rues missed Oman chances

Doha: Kyrgyz Republic bid farewell to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ following a 1-1 draw with Oman in their final Group F tie on Thursday with head coach Stefan Tarkovic lamenting that it could have well have been different for his side if not for injuries and suspensions.  

The Central Asian side, who needed a win by a two-goal margin, trailed for most of the match before Joel Kojo’s equaliser in the 80th minute with the result meaning Oman were also eliminated. 

Bahrain's Pizzi looking forward to Japan showdown

Fri, 26 Jan, 2024

Bahrain's Pizzi looking forward to Japan showdown

Doha: Bahrain head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi is relishing the prospect of a personal rematch with four-time champions Japan in the last 16 of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ after leading his side through to the knockout rounds with a 1-0 win over Jordan on Thursday.

Abdulla Yusuf scored the only goal of the game at Khalifa International Stadium to take the Bahrainis into the Round of 16 as Group E winners and that means Pizzi will lock horns once again with Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu.
 
The pair met at the 2019 edition of the continental championship when Moriyasu led his Japan team to a 1-0 victory over Pizzi’s Saudi Arabia and the Argentinian knows his current side face a significant challenge to move into the quarter-finals.

Kim proud of Malaysia; Klinsmann admits Korea Republic must improve

Fri, 26 Jan, 2024

Kim proud of Malaysia; Klinsmann admits Korea Republic must improve

Al Wakrah: Kim Pan-gon applauded his Malaysian players for not giving up in their thrilling 3-3 draw with Korea Republic in their final AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group E tie at the Al Janoub Stadium on Thursday.

The Southeast Asian side equalised in the 15th minute of added time, having led 2-1 at one stage, with Kim glad that his players had something noteworthy to return home with after having suffered defeats against Jordan and Bahrain. 

Round of 16 cast finalised

Fri, 26 Jan, 2024

Round of 16 cast finalised

Doha: Indonesia were the final team to check into the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16 following the conclusion of the group stage on Thursday.

The Southeast Asian side's place was confirmed following the Group F tie between Kyrgyz Republic and Oman ending in a 1-1 draw on Thursday, with Indonesia advancing as one of the four best third-placed teams.
 
It will be Indonesia's first appearance in the knockout stage, with Palestine, Syria and Tajikistan to also feature for the inaugural time.

Casas: Iraq will take it one match at a time

Thu, 25 Jan, 2024

Casas: Iraq will take it one match at a time

Doha: Jesus Casas was delighted with Iraq’s come from behind 3-2 win over Vietnam in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group D tie on Wednesday as the 2007 champions completed the group stage with a perfect nine points. 

The victory, secured by an Aymen Hussein spot-kick deep into stoppage time, meant it was the first time Iraq had completed the group stage with a perfect record and what made the win more remarkable was the performance of the second liners, with Casas opting to rest players as the West Asian side had already booked their knockout stage spot with a match to spare. 

Moriyasu pleased with Japan's improved performance

Thu, 25 Jan, 2024

Moriyasu pleased with Japan's improved performance

Doha: Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu commended his players for an improved performance in the 3-1 win over Indonesia in Group D of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Wednesday as the Samurai Blue bounced back from their loss to Iraq to confirm their place in the last 16.

Ayase Ueda’s double, including a sixth minute penalty, sent the former champions on their way to victory before Justin Hubner’s own goal ensured Sandy Walsh’s injury time strike was nothing more than a consolation as Japan claimed second spot in the standings.