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.

AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round - MD1 Results & Reports

Thu, 09 Jun, 2022

AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round - MD1 Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday One of the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round concluded on Wednesday with come from behind wins, upsets and missed opportunities.

With 11 places up for grabs - the six group winners and five best runners-up will advance - for the 24-team Continental showpiece, there was no shortage of exciting action in Kuwait City (Group A), Ulaanbaatar (Group B), Namangan (Group C), Kolkata (Group D), Kuala Lumpur (Group E) and Bishkek (Group F).

Matchday Two on Saturday promises to be equally exciting so do stay with the-AFC.com for all the latest news and results of the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round.

Qualifiers Final Round Group D: India 2-0 Cambodia

Thu, 09 Jun, 2022

Qualifiers Final Round Group D: India 2-0 Cambodia

Kolkata: Sunil Chhetri took his international tally to 82 goals on Wednesday as he scored twice in India’s 2-0 win over Cambodia at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata in their AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round  Group D opener.

The 37-year-old claimed a goal in each half to give Igor Stimac’s side all three points, ensuring the group hosts keep pace with Hong Kong following the earlier win by Jorn Andersen’s outfit over Afghanistan. 
 
Only the group winners are sure to advance to the Finals, where they will be joined at the 24-team showpiece by the five runners-up with the best records across the six qualifying groups. 

Qualifiers Final Round Group D: Hong Kong 2-1 Afghanistan

Wed, 08 Jun, 2022

Qualifiers Final Round Group D: Hong Kong 2-1 Afghanistan

Kolkata: Two goals in four first half minutes gave Hong Kong the perfect platform to take all three points as Jorn Andersen’s side made a winning start in Group D of the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round in Kolkata with a 2-1 victory over Afghanistan on Wednesday.

Wong Wai put Hong Kong in front in the 23rd minute in hot conditions at the Salt Lake Stadium and Matt Orr doubled the advantage four minutes later as Andersen’s outfit overcame the absence of a number of senior players to start their campaign with a win. 

Hwang expects a more clinical Korea Republic in knockout stage

Thu, 09 Jun, 2022

Hwang expects a more clinical Korea Republic in knockout stage

Tashkent: Korea Republic secured their AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 quarter-final spot after edging Thailand 1-0 at the Pakhtakor Stadium on Wednesday but head coach Hwang Sun-hong believes there is plenty of room for improvement. 

Go Jae-hyeon’s 35th-minute strike sealed the win for the defending champions against a resolute Thailand, who were also in the running for a knockout stage berth, and Hwang congratulated his players for achieving their target with Korea Republic topping Group C on seven points. 

Hai Long eyes more playing time after helping Vietnam into quarter-finals

Thu, 09 Jun, 2022

Hai Long eyes more playing time after helping Vietnam into quarter-finals

Tashkent: Nguyen Hai Long was trusted by head coach Gong Oh-kyun to start Vietnam’s final AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022  Group C tie against Malaysia on Wednesday and the midfielder repaid the faith in him by producing a player of the match performance.

Although Hai Long did not get on the scoresheet, he played a pivotal role in Vietnam’s 2-0 win which saw the 2018 runners-up finishing second behind Korea Republic to advance to the quarter-finals at Thailand’s expense.

Boosted by his performance, the 21-year-old is now hoping for more playing time as Vietnam look to extend their Uzbekistan 2022 adventure, with the Group D winners their opponents in the quarter-finals.