Iraq beat UAE to keep qualification hopes alive

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Iraq beat UAE to keep qualification hopes alive

Basra: Amir Al Ammari’s penalty 17 minutes into stoppage time secured a dramatic 2-1 win for Iraq over the United Arab Emirates in Basra on Tuesday to seal a 3-2 aggregate victory that takes Graham Arnold’s side into the Intercontinental Playoffs for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Al Ammari hit the winner after teammate Mohanad Ali had struck in the 65th minute to cancel out Caio Lucas’ 52nd minute opener for the visitors in the return leg of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 Playoffs Knockout Stage second leg in front of a packed Basra International Stadium.

The win keeps Iraq’s FIFA World Cup dream alive as the country attempts to qualify for the Finals for the first time since 1986 by booking a place in the Playoffs, which will be held in March.

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Qualifiers - Final Round: MD5 Results & Reports

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Qualifiers - Final Round: MD5 Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Only four spots remain up for grabs as Matchday Five of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round came to a close on Tuesday.

Singapore edged Hong Kong, China 2-1 to confirm the Group C qualification ticket, joining Syria - who booked the Group E top spot on Matchday Four. The two join the 18 teams who advanced to the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 at Saudi Arabia 2027.

Stay updated on the Saudi Arabia 2027 action with the-AFC.com.

Japan edge DPR Korea on penalties to advance

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Japan edge DPR Korea on penalties to advance

Doha: Japan advanced to the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 with a 5-4 penalty shootout win against DPR Korea after their Round of 16 tie ended 1-1 on Tuesday.

Han Il Bok missed the second of DPR Korea's spot-kicks in the shootout as Japan set up a quarter-final with Austria, with the East Asian side aiming to advance past the quarter-final stage for the first time in 11 participations.

Italy end Uzbekistan's run

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

Italy end Uzbekistan's run

Doha: Uzbekistan's FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 campaign to an end following a 3-2 defeat to Italy in their Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

It was a heartbreaking end for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 champions, who fought back from going a goal behind but had to concede to Italy's superiority.

Preview - Group A: Matchday 3

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

Preview - Group A: Matchday 3

Ho Chi Minh City: Both may have confirmed their quarter-final spots but don’t expect Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC and Melbourne City FC to hold back when they face off in Group A of the  AFC Women’s Champions League™ 2025/26 on Wednesday. 

At stake is the top spot, which would mean a better seeding for the quarter-final draw, and this ensures a blockbuster affair at the Thong Nhat Stadium. 

The earlier match will see Philippines’ Stallion Laguna FC playing Lion CIty Sailors FC in a battle for third place, which could potentially earn a spot in the next round. 

Andrews wants East Bengal to stay grounded; Kudratova hails Nasaf’s resilience

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

Andrews wants East Bengal to stay grounded; Kudratova hails Nasaf’s resilience

Wuhan: Head coach Anthony Andrews does not want East Bengal FC to get carried away with their 3-1 win over Bam Khatoon FC in their AFC Women’s Champions League™ 2025/26 Group B opener on Monday.

The Indian side led from start to finish as goals from Shilky Hemam and Fazila Ikwaput set the tone going into the break, with Mona Hamoudi pulling one back for IR Iran’s Bam Khatoon before Resty Nanziri put the game beyond reach.

The win boosted East Bengal’s knockout stage hopes but Andrews stressed that his team must remain focused with defending champions Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC of China PR next on the cards.