Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Yemen will advance to the AFC Asian Cup for the first time since the country's unification if they beat Nepal in Group F on Tuesday as they aim to remain unbeaten in what has been an impressive third round of qualifying.
Ahead of the encounter with the already eliminated Nepalese, the-AFC.com spoke with Amin Al Sunaini, the former national team goalkeeper who has had stints in charge of Yemen’s senior team and a number of the country’s youth sides.
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/amin_al_sunaini.html
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/yemen_2_1.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manila: With Kyrgyz Republic having secured their place at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, neighbours Tajikistan travel to Manila to face the Philippines on Tuesday needing a win to also secure their place at the tournament next January.
Tajikistan currently sit third in Group F on seven points, only behind second-placed Yemen on head-to-head and two points behind the Azkals, who top the group on nine points.
Should the Tajiks get the win they need, they will qualify for the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in their history, and the 23 players tasked with making history are well aware of the magnitude of the match in Manila.
The-AFC.com caught up with one of those players, defender Iskander Dzhalilov, to get his thoughts on the must-win match.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manila: Ahead of Tuesday's make-or-break match against Tajikistan for a place at the AFC Asian Cup 2019 UAE, Philippines international brothers James and Phil Younghusband take on questions from the fans.
Among Asian football's most famous brothers, Phil and James Younghusband - who number over 180 international caps and 60 goals between them - have arguably their biggest match on Tuesday when, as part of the Philippines side, they could qualify for a first-ever AFC Asian Cup.
A win or a draw against visitors Tajikistan would be enough to progress to AFC Asian Cup 2019 UAE, but a win for the Tajiks could see them through at their hosts' expense. Ahead of the crucial clash, the-AFC.com opened the floor to questions from the fans on the AFC Asian Cup social media accounts.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: By the time the final whistle sounds to announce the end of their AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Nepal at the Suheim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Tuesday, Yemen could become the last team to make it to UAE 2019, but better late than never, and they will have no complaints whatsoever.
As the final day of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers approaches, 21 teams have already confirmed their place in what is set to be the first 24-team edition of the continental showpiece.
The battle in Group F remains intense with the Philippines, Tajikistan and Yemen all in contention for the group’s two qualification tickets.
Yemen could make history in the unlikeliest of circumstances. The security situation at home meant they have had to play all their home games in the qualification campaign in Qatar, and with the domestic league brought to a halt by the war, the vast majority of the national team players are struggling to find regular playing time.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manila: One of the most significant games in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 qualifiers on March 27 will see the Philippines and Tajikistan clash in a winners-take-all tie for a first-ever place at the highest level of Asian competition.
Neither the Philippines nor Tajikistan have ever taken part at the AFC Asian Cup, but on Tuesday at Rizal Memorial Stadium that drought will end for one of the sides, with a place at AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 the prize for the victor.
The-AFC.com spoke to two experts ahead of the vital tie to get their views.
Former striker Shakhzod Sulaymonov has been the Team Manager at six-time Tajik League champions FC Istiklol since January 2013, while Cedelf Tupas (@CedelfptINQ) is a Philippines Football Expert and Journalist for Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pyongyang: Hong Kong face DPR Korea on Tuesday in a decisive final Group B tie to determine a place at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, and striker Alex Akande believes his multicultural team could pull off a famous victory.
Akande, fresh from Kitchee SC’s stunning win over Kashiwa Reysol in the AFC Champions League - a maiden three points for a Hong Kong club in the continental competition - is hoping that the representative side can create more football history when they face DPR Korea in Pyongyang.
Currently sitting three points behind the second-placed Koreans, a win would be enough for Hong Kong, thanks to the head-to-head record, to secure their first trip to the AFC Asian Cup since 1968. The-AFC.com caught up with the Nigeria-born forward ahead of the crucial tie to get his thoughts.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manila: The Philippines will play one of the most important matches in their history on Tuesday when, if the Southeast Asians avoid defeat at home to Tajikistan, they will advance to the AFC Asian Cup for the first time.
Iain Ramsay has played a big role in the Azkals’ improvement in recent years and, after the Philippines defeated Fiji 3-2 in a friendly on Thursday, the midfielder speaks exclusively to the-AFC.com ahead of the crucial Group F encounter with the Central Asians at Manila’s Rizal Memorial Stadium.
What is the mood of the squad as the game with Tajikistan approaches?
We are one win away from qualifying for the Asian Cup, everybody is focused and there is a real buzz around the camp.
It was an entertaining 4-3 victory to the Philippines when the sides met last June. What do you remember about that match?
The atmosphere was intense, they had a big home crowd and made it very exciting to play at their home ground. It was a tough physical game with high intensity, we don’t expect anything different come March 27. We managed to beat them at their home and we plan to do the same in our final game.