Australia’s Irvine thrilled but expects improvement

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Australia’s Irvine thrilled but expects improvement

Sydney: Jackson Irvine was delighted with Australia’s 5-1 win against Indonesia but admitted there is still room for improvement if the Socceroos want to advance to the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The midfielder netted twice as Australia overcame a slow start to see off the challenge of an Indonesian side looking to build on their win against Saudi Arabia on Matchday Six.

The victory meant Australia stayed second in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 and if they can hang on, it will mean automatic qualification to the global Finals, with Japan having already sealed their spot. 

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers.html/video/asianqualifiers-road-to-26-|-group-c-australia-5-1-indonesia

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#AsianQualifiers - MD7: Results & Reports

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

#AsianQualifiers - MD7: Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Japan became the first team to book their FIFA World Cup 2026 spot after defeating Bahrain 2-0 on Thursday.

The win assured Hajime Moriyasu's side a top two finish in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 regardless of what happens in the remaining matches.

In Group A, Islamic Republic of Iran moved within a point of confirming their ticket after a 2-0 win over United Arab Emirates, with Uzbekistan maintaining a firm grip on second place.

Korea Republic were held 1-1 by Oman but remain well placed to advance from Group B.

The top two sides from each group will earn automatic qualification and the focus now shifts to Tuesday's round of matches so make sure to stay updated on all the action with the-AFC.com.

Oman delight Jaber, Hong rues Korea Republic’s off day

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Oman delight Jaber, Hong rues Korea Republic’s off day

Goyang: Head coach Rasheed Jaber praised his team’s determination after Oman secured a hard-earned point against Korea Republic in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group B tie at Goyang Stadium on Thursday.

Ali Al Busaidi came to Oman’s rescue, scoring with 10 minutes left to cancel out Hwang Hee Chan’s first-half goal as Jaber’s charges kept their hopes of earning automatic qualification alive. 

Group C: Australia 5-1 Indonesia

Thu, 20 Mar, 2025

Group C: Australia 5-1 Indonesia

Sydney: Australia produced a rousing performance to defeat Indonesia 5-1 in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group C tie at the Sydney Football Stadium on Thursday.

The win moved Australia to 10 points and ensured the will stay second in the standings irrespective of Thursday’s other results in the group. 

Indonesia, with Patrick Kluivert in charge as head coach for their first match, remained on five points. 

Group C: Japan 2-0 Bahrain

Thu, 20 Mar, 2025

Group C: Japan 2-0 Bahrain

Saitama: Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo struck in the second half to seal Japan’s place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the Samurai Blue notched up a 2-0 win over Bahrain in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 at Saitama Stadium on Thursday to book their tickets for the finals.

Kamada netted in the 66th minute and Kubo added the second with three minutes left as the Samurai Blue moved onto 19 points from seven games to guarantee Hajime Moriyasu’s side a top two finish in Group C and confirm their progress to an eighth consecutive finals.

Bahrain, meanwhile, remain on six points with three matches to play and take on Indonesia in Jakarta on Tuesday still in contention for the second remaining qualifying spot or a place in the next phase of the qualifiers.

Group C: Saudi Arabia 1-0 China PR

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Group C: Saudi Arabia 1-0 China PR

Riyadh: Salem Al Dawsari struck to earn Saudi Arabia a 1-0 win over 10-man China PR in Riyadh on Thursday as Herve Renard’s side took sole possession of third place in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26.

The Al Hilal captain netted in the 50th minute against a Chinese side that had to play the entire second 45 minutes a man down after Lin Liangmin was sent off in first half injury time for a foul on Hassan Al Tambakti.

Victory moves Saudi Arabia onto nine points from seven games and keeps Renard’s side within a point of Australia in the battle to claim the remaining automatic qualifying berth behind table toppers Japan. China PR are on six points with three matches remaining.

Stage set for #WAC2026 Qualifiers draw

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Stage set for #WAC2026 Qualifiers draw

Kuala Lumpur: Asian women’s national teams will begin their quest for continental glory when the draw ceremony of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Qualifiers takes place on Thursday, March 27, at 3pm.

Eight tickets to the 21st edition of the Continental showpiece are up for grabs as 34 teams compete from June 23 to July 5 to join hosts Australia and the top three sides from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ — defending champions China PR, runners-up Korea Republic, and third-placed Japan.

Thailand wary of Lebanon challenge, India aim to bounce back

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Thailand wary of Lebanon challenge, India aim to bounce back

Pattaya: Rattaphong Nadee admitted that nerves got the better of Thailand after they shook off a slow start to defeat India 3-0 in their opening AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 Group A match on Thursday.

Rattaphong, who confirmed the victory with a spectacular goal, acknowledged that the team needed time to settle into the game.

El Khatib wants Lebanon to learn from opening lesson, Alsabea promises Kuwait rebound

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

El Khatib wants Lebanon to learn from opening lesson, Alsabea promises Kuwait rebound

Pattaya: The hard-fought 5-4 win against Kuwait in their opening AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 Group A match on Thursday served as a reminder for Ahmed El Khatib that improvements are needed for Lebanon.

El Khatib scored twice in a topsy-turvy match with both teams having spent time being ahead before Lebanon emerged victorious with the defender eyeing an improved showing when they meet Thailand on Saturday.

Saudi Arabia’s Sufiani revels in opening win, China PR’s Yisi eyes comeback

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Saudi Arabia’s Sufiani revels in opening win, China PR’s Yisi eyes comeback

Pattaya: Saudi Arabia’s Rabye Sufyani did not hide his delight after the West Asians claimed a 5-3 win against China PR in their opening AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 Group B match on Thursday.

The seniormost member of the squad, the 38-year-old hailed the resilience of his teammates in the face of a challenging match and attributed the success to their razor-sharp focus on wanting to emerge victorious.

Tabata concerned with Japan’s sluggish start, Iraq’s Hashem Pour motivated by performance

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Tabata concerned with Japan’s sluggish start, Iraq’s Hashem Pour motivated by performance

Pattaya: Head coach Teruki Tabata was left puzzled by Japan’s slow start to the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 after his side slogged to a 4-3 win against Iraq on Thursday.

Conceding that his players were not at their best at both ends of the sand, Tabata will be targeting a fresher look when Japan take on Saudi Arabia - who beat China PR 5-3 in the other Group A match - on Saturday.