MD9: Five Takeaways

Sat, 07 Jun, 2025

MD9: Five Takeaways

Kuala Lumpur: A breathtaking Matchday Nine of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 saw history made, dreams dashed and bogey teams beaten.

Ahead of Tuesday's final round of matches, the-AFC.com highlights five takeaways from Thursday's action.

Kapadze: Qualification is for Uzbekistan

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Kapadze: Qualification is for Uzbekistan

Abu Dhabi: Timur Kapadze dedicated Uzbekistan’s inaugural FIFA World Cup qualification to his nation, with the head coach lauding the collective efforts that helped propel his squad across the finish line.

The point gained from the goalless draw with the United Arab Emirates in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 tie on Thursday confirmed a top two finish in Group A as Uzbekistan ended their long wait to appear on the global stage.

Lopetegui expects more from Qatar after win against IR Iran

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Lopetegui expects more from Qatar after win against IR Iran

Doha: Julen Lopetegui kicked off his tenure as Qatar head coach with victory, with the Spaniard describing the 1-0 win against Islamic Republic of Iran as a morale booster for the back-to-back AFC Asian Cup™ champions.

Pedro Correia’s first half strike secured victory against Iran, who were reduced to 10 men following Milad Mohammadi’s 35th minute red card, in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group A tie as Qatar secured their place in the playoffs, where an additional two tickets are available to next year’s global showpiece.

Sin, Lisitsyn rue missed chances as DPR Korea, Kyrgyz Republic bow out

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Sin, Lisitsyn rue missed chances as DPR Korea, Kyrgyz Republic bow out

Riyadh: DPR Korea and Kyrgyz Republic were left to rue missed chances after settling for a 2-2 stalemate in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group A tie on Thursday.

A stoppage time own goal salvaged Kyrgyz Republic the point but it wasn’t enough as they were eliminated, a fate that had already befallen DRP Korea going into the match. 

Korea Republic delight Hong; Arnold vows Iraq will qualify

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Korea Republic delight Hong; Arnold vows Iraq will qualify

Basra: Korea Republic head coach Hong Myung-bo expressed delight after his side booked their place at the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a 2-0 win over Iraq in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 on Thursday.

Second half strikes from Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu confirmed Korea Republic’s passage to an 11th consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance. 

Sellami proud to have fulfilled Jordan’s dream

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Sellami proud to have fulfilled Jordan’s dream

Muscat: Head coach Jamal Sellami could not hide his delight after guiding Jordan to the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Thursday.

Their 3-0 victory against Oman, coupled with Korea Republic’s 2-0 defeat of Bahrain, meant Jordan are assured of top two finish in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26, which confirms a debut appearance at next year’s global showpiece.

Palestine live up to Abujazar’s expectations

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Palestine live up to Abujazar’s expectations

Ardhiyah: Ihab Abujazar was a proud head coach after Palestine defeated Kuwait to keep their FIFA World Cup dreams alive on Thursday.

The 2-0 win in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 means Palestine will go into their showdown with Oman needing victory to book a spot in the playoffs, where an additional two tickets to the global showpiece are at stake. 

Despite the setback of losing midfielder Ataa Jaber to injury in the eighth minute, Palestine fought on to score through Tamer Seyam and Wessam Abouli to take the win.

Renard urges Saudi Arabia to believe

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Renard urges Saudi Arabia to believe

Riffa: Herve Renard wants Saudi Arabia to keep believing that they can qualify directly for the FIFA World Cup 2026 despite the odds being stacked against them.

Musab Al Juwayr and Abdulrahman Alobud struck to give the Green Falcons a 2-0 win against Bahrain in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group C tie on Thursday but they sit three points behind Australia.

Kluivert applauds Indonesia’s progress

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Kluivert applauds Indonesia’s progress

Jakarta: Patrick Kluivert praised his players’ discipline and belief after Indonesia booked their place in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Playoffs with a 1-0 victory over China PR on Thursday.

Ole Romenij’s first half penalty proved decisive in the Group C tie at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, with Indonesia’s progression to the playoffs - where an additional two tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be at stake - confirmed after Bahrain’s 2-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia.

Match-winner Behich hails Australia’s resilience

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Match-winner Behich hails Australia’s resilience

Perth: Aziz Behich refused to accept the plaudits, saying Australia’s 1-0 win against Japan in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group C tie on Thursday was the result of teamwork.

The Melbourne City FC defender curled in Riley McGree’s cutback in the 90th minute to seal Australia’s first win over Japan in 16 years as the Socceroos closed in on a spot at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Test your knowledge and win the #AsianQualifiers - Road to 26 Guess The Player quiz contest

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Test your knowledge and win the #AsianQualifiers - Road to 26 Guess The Player quiz contest

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 is in its business end with the final two matchdays of the third round on 5 and 10 June and you now have an exciting opportunity to put their football knowledge and quick-thinking skills to the test.

With the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 Guess The Player quiz contest, Asian football fans can now take part in a timed quiz designed to test their player knowledge based on statistics and descriptions from the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 campaign. 
 
Do you have a keen eye for detail? Do you have what it takes to guess all the answers correctly? Register now, take the quiz and stand a chance to win in this exciting contest.