We must be better, admits Uzbekistan’s Masharipov

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

We must be better, admits Uzbekistan’s Masharipov

Doha: Jaloliddin Masharipov has urged his Uzbekistan teammates to dig deep following their frustrating 0-0 draw with Syria in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group B tie on Saturday. 

The result means Uzbekistan are two points adrift of Australia, who secured a 2-0 win against India with Masharipov admitting the Central Asian side did not perform at their best against Syria.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/video/asiancup2023_|_group_b__uzbekistan_0_-_0_syria_1.html

Philip Chan scores 1000th goal of AFC Asian Cup™

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

Philip Chan scores 1000th goal of AFC Asian Cup™

Al Rayyan: A significant milestone was reached in AFC Asian Cup™ history on Sunday evening when the showpiece tournament of Asia witnessed its 1000th goal at the Khalifa International Stadium.

The landmark strike was scored by Philip Chan for Hong Kong, China in the 49th minute to draw them level against the United Arab Emirates in the Group C encounter at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, which ended 3-1 to the West Asians.

Ghalehnoy: IR Iran’s strength is our depth

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

Ghalehnoy: IR Iran’s strength is our depth

Al Rayyan: Ardeshir Ghalehnoy was full of praise for his Islamic Republic of Iran side after a 4-1 win over Palestine in their opening AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group C match on Sunday.

In his second stint as head coach of Iran, Ghalehnoy repeated what he did in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup by guiding his side to a winning start to the tournament with the 60-year-old paying tribute to the depth of his squad.

UAE’s Bento satisfied; Andersen applauds resilient Hong Kong, China

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

UAE’s Bento satisfied; Andersen applauds resilient Hong Kong, China

Al Rayyan: United Arab Emirates head coach Paulo Bento remained unfazed about his team’s reliance on penalty kicks to secure their 3-1 victory over Hong Kong, China in Sunday’s AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group C clash. 

UAE, semi-finalists in the last two editions of the continental showpiece, are 86 places ahead of Hong Kong who hold the 150th spot in the latest FIFA World Ranking. 

Patient Japan please Moriyasu

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

Patient Japan please Moriyasu

Doha: Hajime Moriyasu praised his players’ patience as four-time champions Japan ground out a 4-2 win over Vietnam at Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday to make a positive start to their challenge for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

The Japanese were shocked in the 33rd minute when Pham Tuan Hai gave the Philippe Troussier-coached Vietnamese a 2-1 lead after Nguyen Dinh Bac had cancelled out Takumi Minamino’s opener, only for the Samurai Blue to compose themselves to take all three points.
 
Minamino equalised in the 45th minute and Keito Nakamura put Japan ahead just before the interval with substitute Ayase Ueda striking four minutes from time to put the seal on a professional display from Moriyasu’s side.

Preview - Group E: Malaysia v Jordan

Tue, 16 Jan, 2024

Preview - Group E: Malaysia v Jordan

Al Wakrah: Head coach Hussein Ammouta wants Jordan to be fully focused when they open their AFC Asian Cup Qatar™ 2023 Group E campaign against Malaysia at the Al Janoub Stadium on Monday.

Ammouta, who led Morocco to the 2020 African Nations Championship title, believes that Malaysia have improved since their last encounter in 2021.

Preview - Group D: Indonesia v Iraq

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

Preview - Group D: Indonesia v Iraq

Al Rayyan: Indonesia have to focus on long-term development as well as results, according to head coach Shin Tae-yong, whose side are preparing to take on Iraq in Group D of the AFC Asian Cup™ Qatar 2023 on Monday.

Team Garuda are the second-lowest ranked team in the tournament, sitting just five places above 150th ranked Hong Kong, China in the most recent FIFA rankings, with their upcoming opponents nearly 80 places above them, but Shin insists his side cannot afford to just sit deep and defend.