AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™: What They Said

Fri, 01 Apr, 2022

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™: What They Said

Kuala Lumpur: After seven months of FIFA World Cup™ qualifying action on the Road to Qatar, Groups A and B drew to a close on Tuesday with four nations having booked their tickets to the global showpiece and a further two gaining a second chance via the playoffs. 

As fans of Asian football start to look forward to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, the-AFC.com picks out some of the best quotes from the journey towards football’s greatest spectacle. 

Click on the links to read the full articles.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/video/afc_asian_qualifiers_-_road_to_qatar_japan_0-1_oman.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2892931.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2892935.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/video/asianqualifiers_-_group_b_|_vietnam_3_-_1_china_pr.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2892970.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2892949.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/video/asianqualifiers_-_group_a_|_united_arab_emirates_1_-_0_korea_republic.html

Pots, possibilities and history: Asia’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ draw previewed in full

Thu, 31 Mar, 2022

Pots, possibilities and history: Asia’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ draw previewed in full

Doha: Five Asian teams will discover their group stage opponents when Doha plays to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Final Draw on Friday.

After almost three years of AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ fixtures, Islamic Republic of Iran, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia and Japan have all secured their places at the Finals alongside Asian champions Qatar, who qualified automatically as hosts.
 
As we count down to one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the global football calendar, we look at the World Cup history and draw permutations for all five of Asia’s qualified teams, all of whom will be eager to leave their mark in 2022.

IR Iran remain as Asia’s best in latest FIFA Ranking

Thu, 31 Mar, 2022

IR Iran remain as Asia’s best in latest FIFA Ranking

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran will head into the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 draw as Asia’s highest ranked team, following the latest FIFA World Ranking released on Thursday. 

Team Melli, whose position was unchanged at 21st spot, were impressive in their AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ campaign, topping Group A with eight wins, 1 draw and defeat. 

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™: Stats and Facts

Thu, 31 Mar, 2022

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™: Stats and Facts

Kuala Lumpur: After a FIFA World Cup™ qualifying campaign that began in mid-2019 and had to contend with the significant obstacle of COVID-19-related interruptions, Asia’s four automatic qualification spots – joining hosts Qatar – were confirmed after Matchdays Nine and Ten of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™.

The final round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar was played over just seven months, with the action coming thick and fast and empty stadiums turning into fan-filled venues as the campaign grew deeper. 

With Groups A and B having drawn to a close after Tuesday’s final round of fixtures, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the stats and facts that have caught the eye.

Renard eyes big support in Qatar, Arnold calls for Australians to admire Saudi football

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Renard eyes big support in Qatar, Arnold calls for Australians to admire Saudi football

Jeddah: Saudi Arabia head coach Herve Renard revelled in the glory of qualifying to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as Group B leaders as 50,000 fans celebrated following the Green Falcons’ 1-0 win against Australia at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Tuesday.

Salem Al Dawsari’s penalty five minutes after the hour-mark brought Saudi Arabia back to the summit of their group of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ following Japan’s 1-1 home draw against Vietnam earlier on the day.

A sixth appearance at the FIFA World Cup for Saudi Arabia was achieved emphatically with just one defeat along the way, a 2-0 reversal in Japan on Matchday Eight, and the result marked a second consecutive successful qualification for Renard who had led Morocco to Russia 2018.

Victory over Korea Republic just the start, says UAE’s Arruabarrena

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Victory over Korea Republic just the start, says UAE’s Arruabarrena

Dubai: United Arab Emirates national team head coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena said that his side’s 1-0 win against Korea Republic should be considered a mere starting point on a road which could ultimately lead the West Asian nation to their first FIFA World Cup since 1990. 

A second half goal from Harib Abdalla steered Arruebarrena’s side to a much-needed win, securing third place in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ and a single-leg AFC playoff against Australia in June.
 
The winners of the AFC playoff will then meet the fifth placed side from CONMEBOL qualifying for a berth at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.

Park hails ‘great’ Vietnam result, Moriyasu looks to the future

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Park hails ‘great’ Vietnam result, Moriyasu looks to the future

Saitama: Park Hang-seo was full of praise for his Vietnam side as they rounded off their AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ Group B campaign with a historic 1-1 draw against Japan at Saitama Stadium on Tuesday. 

Nguyen Thanh Binh gave the Golden Star Warriors a surprise lead in the 19th minute before Japan equalised through Maya Yoshida nine minutes after the interval but, despite wave after wave of Japanese attacks and two disallowed goals, Vietnam held out for a memorable point.

While the Southeast Asians ultimately finished bottom of the standings in what was their maiden appearance in the final round of AFC Asian Qualifiers, the hard-fought draw was the first time they had avoided defeat against the Samurai Blue and their first point away from home in Group B.