Ali's return a boost for Iraq

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Ali's return a boost for Iraq

Hanoi: Head coach Jesus Casas applauded Mohanad Ali as the forward marked his return to the Iraq national team after a two-year absence with the winning goal against Vietnam on Tuesday.

Ali, who came on in the 61st minute, scored the only goal of the match in the seventh minute of added time as Iraq took a firm grip on the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group F standings.

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Round 2 - MD2: Results & Reports

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Round 2 - MD2: Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Two of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ concluded on Tuesday with another round of exciting action across the continent.

Korea Republic, seeking to qualify for an 11th consecutive FIFA World Cup, registered a crucial win by defeating China PR away while there were also victories for Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar while Islamic Republic of Iran had to settle for draw with Uzbekistan. 
 
The qualifiers will return in March 2024, with the nine group winners and their respective runners-up to advance to the third round of FIFA World Cup qualifying, and at the same time seal their places at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.

Stay updated on all of Tuesday's reaction with the-AFC.com. 

Japan’s high intensity delights Moriyasu

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Japan’s high intensity delights Moriyasu

Jeddah: Japan continued to impress in the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with a 5-0 success over Syria at the neutral venue of Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium on Tuesday.

The Blue Samurai’s high-octane performance was marked by head coach Hajime Moriyasu as key to their second successive win in Group B that saw them open a three-point gap with DPR Korea and Syria.
 
Moriyasu was also pleased with his team’s high work rate.

Kim: Collective effort secured Malaysia victory

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Kim: Collective effort secured Malaysia victory

Taipei: Head coach Kim Pan-gon said Malaysia showed determination in their hard-fought 1-0 win over Chinese Taipei in Group D of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ at Taipei Municipal Stadium on Tuesday.

Substitute Darren Lok, who was brought in to replace Paulo Josue, scored the winning goal in the 72nd minute as Malaysia maintained their perfect start to the qualification campaign while Chinese Taipei are still in search of points after their opening day defeat to Oman.

Thailand’s Polking hails super-sub Teerasil

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Thailand’s Polking hails super-sub Teerasil

Singapore: Teerasil Dangda came off the bench to devastating effect, helping Thailand secure a 3-1 win over Singapore in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ tie on Tuesday.

Head coach Alexandre Polking waxed lyrical about the evergreen forward who at the age of 35, can still completely change a game - supplying two assists which gave Thailand their first win in Group C.

Arnold pleased with Australia’s consistency

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Arnold pleased with Australia’s consistency

Kuwait City: Australia head coach Graham Arnold praised his players' winning mentality after their 1-0 win over Palestine in Group I of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ at the Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium on Tuesday. 

Harry Souttar scored the only goal of the game to maintain Australia’s 100 percent record, while Palestine are on one point.

Klinsmann praises potent Korea Republic attack

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Klinsmann praises potent Korea Republic attack

Shenzhen: Jurgen Klinsmann was encouraged by the attacking strength Korea Republic showed in the 3-0 win over China PR in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group C tie on Tuesday.

The Taeguk Warriors garnered eight goals against Myanmar and China PR - taking their haul to 19 goals netted and none conceded in their last five international matches.

It’s a daunting prospect for any team to come up against the likes of Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, Hwang Hee-chan and Cho Gue-sung and Klinsmann is counting on them to continue delivering, starting with the fast approaching AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

Andersen satisfied, Orazov frustrated

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Andersen satisfied, Orazov frustrated

Hong Kong: Head coach Jorn Andersen declared Hong Kong, China's performance in their 2-2 draw with Turkmenistan on Tuesday the best since he took over at the team’s helm almost two years ago.

The home side twice fought back from going behind to goals from Kitchee winger Ruslan Mingazow to claim their first point of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ clash at Hong Kong Stadium.
 
Wong Wai cancelled out Mingazow’s fourth minute opener before Everton Camargo equalised again in the 66th minute to earn the Norwegian’s team a point from an end-to-end encounter that could have been won by either side in the dying minutes.

Malaysia aim to impress

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Malaysia aim to impress

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's return to the AFC Asian Cup™ for the first time since they co-hosted the 2007 edition couldn't have resulted in a tougher draw - with Korea Republic, Jordan and Bahrain their Group E challengers.

Head coach Kim Pan-gon and his team, however, are relishing the challenge of taking on three sides who are all ranked way above the Southeast Asian side.