Al Shehri lauds players for sticking to the plan

Thu, 16 Jun, 2022

Al Shehri lauds players for sticking to the plan

Tashkent: Saad Al Shehri thanked his players for their focus, determination and - more importantly - sticking to the game plan after Saudi Arabia cruised into the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 final on Wednesday.

The two-time runners-up were never really troubled by Australia in their last four tie at the Pakhtakor Stadium as goals by Hussain Al Eisa and Ayman Yahya took them within one match of lifting the title for the first time.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2910241.html

Saudi Arabia turn on the style against Australia to book final ticket

Thu, 16 Jun, 2022

Saudi Arabia turn on the style against Australia to book final ticket

Tashkent: Saudi Arabia defeated 10-men Australia 2-0 in the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 on Wednesday as Saad Al Shehri’s side moved within one match of lifting the title for the first time.

Hussain Al Eisa and Ayman Yahya scored for Saudi Arabia at the Pakhtakor Stadium, setting up a final showdown with the winners of the Uzbekistan and Japan semi-final.

Beating Kuwait paved the way for Indonesia, says Shin

Wed, 15 Jun, 2022

Beating Kuwait paved the way for Indonesia, says Shin

Kuwait City: Indonesia’s bright start to the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Group A was key to sealing their return to the competition for the first time since 2007, according to head coach Shin Tae-yong.

Team Garuda stunned Kuwait 2-1 in the opening match, a result that eventually proved the difference as they finished three points ahead of the hosts to seal one of the five best runners-up spots and qualify alongside group winners Jordan.

Qualification was confirmed on the final matchday with a 7-0 triumph over Nepal to help Indonesia pip Group B runners-up the Philippines to the final spot in the Continental showpiece. 

Learning curve can only benefit Thailand, says Polking

Wed, 15 Jun, 2022

Learning curve can only benefit Thailand, says Polking

Namangan: Head coach Alexandre Polking wants Thailand to learn from their 2-0 defeat to Uzbekistan in their final AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Group C fixture on Tuesday.

Jaloliddin Masharipov and Azizbek Turgunbaye were on target for Uzbekistan, who topped the group with nine points, while Thailand - with two victories - also advanced to the Continental Finals as one of the five best runners-up.

Šegrt hails Tajikistan for securing historic spot

Wed, 15 Jun, 2022

Šegrt hails Tajikistan for securing historic spot

Bishkek: A delighted Petar Šegrt paid tribute to his Tajikistan players and staff after the Central Asian nation clinched their first ever AFC Asian Cup™ qualification on Tuesday.

After results elsewhere in Asia had made their position safe, the Tajiks played out a goalless draw against a Kyrgyz Republic side roared on by 17,340 fans at Dolen Omurazkov, sending both teams through to next year’s Finals.
 
For Tajikistan, that represents the end of a wait stretching back to 1996, where they missed out on that year’s AFC Asian Cup after throwing away a four-goal aggregate lead in a two-match playoff against Uzbekistan.

Sayem credits strong Group B start after Palestine seal berth

Wed, 15 Jun, 2022

Sayem credits strong Group B start after Palestine seal berth

Ulaanbaatar: Tamer Seyam said that it was a tough opening-day win over Mongolia in the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round that laid the foundations for Palestine’s qualification to the continental competition after Tuesday’s 4-0 victory over the Philippines confirmed top spot in Group B.

Palestine went into their Matchday Three encounter against the Southeast Asians needing just a point to secure their ticket to a third successive AFC Asian Cup™ and goals from Saleh Chihadeh and Seyam had them two up at the interval before Mohammed Yamin and Mahmoud Abuwarda added further goals after the restart.

Stimac: India lived up to expectations

Wed, 15 Jun, 2022

Stimac: India lived up to expectations

Kolkata: Igor Stimac hailed his team’s continually improving performances throughout the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round
as India closed out Group D with a 4-0 win over Hong Kong in Kolkata on Tuesday that sealed top spot and a berth at the Finals.

Anwar Ali, Sunil Chhetri, Glan Martins and Ishan Pandita were all on target as the hosts claimed a third consecutive victory to finish on top of the standings with maximum points ahead of Hong Kong as both teams secured tickets for the Finals.

Kim dedicates qualification to Malaysian fans, Bahrain's Sousa already planning for Finals

Wed, 15 Jun, 2022

Kim dedicates qualification to Malaysian fans, Bahrain's Sousa already planning for Finals

Kuala Lumpur: Head coach Kim Pan Gon congratulated his players and dedicated Malaysia's AFC Asian Cup 2023™ qualification to the team's fans.

Malaysia went into their Matchday Three AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round Group E tie against Bangladesh on Tuesday knowing a win would confirm their first appearance in the Continental showpiece since 2007 and promptly cruised to a 4-1 win.

The victory also meant Malaysia qualified for the AFC Asian Cup on merit for the first time since the 1980 edition and Kim was proud that his team had delivered.

AFC Asian Cup 2023™ cast finalised

Wed, 15 Jun, 2022

AFC Asian Cup 2023™ cast finalised

Kuala Lumpur: The cast for the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Finals was confirmed following the conclusion of the Final Round of Qualifiers on Tuesday.

Eleven teams booked their tickets from the six qualifying groups that were played in Bishkek, Kolkata, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait City, Namangan and Ulaanbaatar, with Tajikistan creating history by confirming their first appearance in the Continental showpiece.

The 11 qualifiers join the 13 teams who had already booked their places after the second round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ in June, 2021.