Krestinin: Kyrgyz Republic character outweighed mistakes

Thu, 09 Jun, 2022

Krestinin: Kyrgyz Republic character outweighed mistakes

Bishkek: Kyrgyz Republic boss Alexander Krestinin lauded his players for their come-from-behind AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round Group F 2-1 win over Singapore, declaring their victory at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium a show of character. 

The Akshumkar were staring down the barrel of a shock defeat when Song Ui-young put the visitors ahead just before the hour mark, but Germany-based substitute Viktor Maier was the local hero, winning a penalty, converted by Valeriy Kichin, before steering home the decisive goal 10 minutes from time.

The result was three crucial points which gives Kyrgyz Republic a real chance of reaching the AFC Asian Cup for the second successive edition, and Krestinin said he was delighted to have emerged with a win against a Singapore team he rates highly.

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Thailand, Uzbekistan seek improvements despite good starts

Thu, 09 Jun, 2022

Thailand, Uzbekistan seek improvements despite good starts

Namangan: Thailand and Uzbekistan are both thinking ahead after notching impressive wins in their AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round Group C campaigns on Wednesday.

Thailand defeated Maldives 3-0 with hosts Uzbekistan also winning with a similar margin at the Markaziy Stadium. 

Ahead of their meeting on Matchday Three, Thailand will have to navigate past Sri Lanka on Saturday while Uzbekistan face Maldives, with a win for either side boosting their chances of advancing into the Continental showpiece. 

Bahrain confident of chances; Malaysia boosted by opening victory

Thu, 09 Jun, 2022

Bahrain confident of chances; Malaysia boosted by opening victory

Kuala Lumpur: Bahrain and Malaysia are both equally confident of their chances after opening their AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round Group E campaigns with wins on Wednesday.

Bahrain defeated Bangladesh 2-0 while Malaysia, backed by more than 21,000 fans at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, beat Turkemistan 3-1.

With the two sides meeting on Matchday Two, a win for either side will take them closer to winning the group and confirming the sole automatic slot into the Continental showpiece.

Stimac hails India players for rising to Cambodia challenge

Thu, 09 Jun, 2022

Stimac hails India players for rising to Cambodia challenge

Kolkata: Head coach Igor Stimac praised his players’ performance in trying conditions at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium after India kicked off their challenge for a place at the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Finals with a 2-0 win over Cambodia.

Sunil Chhetri scored both goals in stifling conditions to ensure India keep pace in Group D of the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round with Hong Kong after Jorn Andersen’s side registered a 2-1 win over Afghanistan in their opening game earlier in the day.

Second-half changes key, says Daboub after Palestine edge Mongolia

Thu, 09 Jun, 2022

Second-half changes key, says Daboub after Palestine edge Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar: Head coach Makram Daboub admitted that substitutions made in the second half of Palestine’s narrow 1-0 win over Mongolia paid dividends after the West Asians got their AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round Group B campaign off to a winning start at MFF Stadium on Wednesday.

With three matches in seven days, Daboub left a number of key personnel on the bench against the hosts, with the top scorer from the previous round, Portugal-based Oday Dabbagh, among those omitted from the starting line-up.

Absentees cost Philippines the win, says Dooley

Thu, 09 Jun, 2022

Absentees cost Philippines the win, says Dooley

Ulaanbaatar: Philippines head coach Thomas Dooley bemoaned the absence of several key members of his side in the 0-0 draw with Yemen in their opening AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round on Wednesday.

Carli de Murga, Diego Bardanca, John-Patrick Strauss, Raphael Obermair, Kevin Ingreso and Michael Kempter were all ruled out ahead of the competition, while VFL Bochum star Gerrit Holtman only joins the side in time for the Group B Matchday Two tie against hosts Mongolia.