Asian Qualifiers - Group A Preview: Maldives in the way as Syria bid to close in on confirming top spot

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asian Qualifiers - Group A Preview: Maldives in the way as Syria bid to close in on confirming top spot

Sharjah: With five wins out of five so far in Group A of the second round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Syria stand on the cusp of advancing to the next phase of the competition while also booking their spot at the Finals of the AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Victory on Friday over the Maldives will take the Syrians within two points of the third round for the second FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in a row as the West Asian nation attempt to build on their impressive showing four years ago, when they narrowly missed out on claiming a berth at Russia 2018.

Van Marwijk urges UAE to push on in Asian Qualifiers, defeat disappoints Malaysia's Tan

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Van Marwijk urges UAE to push on in Asian Qualifiers, defeat disappoints Malaysia's Tan

Dubai: United Arab Emirates head coach Bert van Marwijk remained focused on the task at hand following his side’s emphatic 4-0 victory against Malaysia as Group G of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 resumed on Thursday.

Ali Mabkhout put the UAE in the lead midway through the opening half after a fine Abdullah Ramadan long pass set him up. An extended spell of Malaysian resilience was broken by three further Emirati goals in the final 10 minutes of the game, with Mabkhout adding a second and Fabio Lima also registering a brace.

Indonesia draw harmed our Asian Qualifiers chances, says Thailand's Nishino

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Indonesia draw harmed our Asian Qualifiers chances, says Thailand's Nishino

 Dubai: Thailand head coach Akira Nishino was adamant his side’s chances of progress to the third round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers have suffered a blow following their 2-2 draw with Indonesia at Al Maktoum Stadium on Thursday.

Thailand took the lead twice, five minutes into the start of each half with Narubadin Weerawatnodom bagging the first and Suphan Thongsong adding the second, but each time they were clawed back by the Indonesians as Kadek Agung equalised six minutes before the break and captain Evan Dimas levelled the tie for a second time at the hour mark.

Sanchez satisfied with Qatar's narrow victory over India in Asian Qualifiers

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Sanchez satisfied with Qatar's narrow victory over India in Asian Qualifiers

Doha: Qatar national team head coach Felix Sanchez was satisfied with his side's narrow 1-0 win against India in Group E of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 on Thursday.

Abdel Aziz Hatim scored the only goal on the night as Qatar moved to 19 points from seven matches while India remained on three points, having played six games.

Second-placed Oman are on 12 points, with two matches in hand, and Qatar will seal top spot in Group E if they avoid defeat when the two sides meet on Monday.

Bangladesh's Day rues missed opportunity after Asian Qualifiers draw with Afghanistan

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Bangladesh's Day rues missed opportunity after Asian Qualifiers draw with Afghanistan

Doha: Bangladesh head coach Jamie Day was pleased with his side’s performance but lamented that luck was not on his team's side following their 1-1 draw against Afghanistan in Group E of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 on Thursday.

After drawing blanks in the first half, Afghanistan went ahead though Amir Sharifi’s strike but Bangladesh fought back to level the tie following Topu Barman’s late effort.

Sousa: First half goals paved way for Bahrain's resounding Asian Qualifiers victory over Cambodia

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Sousa: First half goals paved way for Bahrain's resounding Asian Qualifiers victory over Cambodia

Manama: Head coach Hélio Sousa said the two first half goals helped Bahrain to their 8-0 win against Cambodia in Group C of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 on Thursday.

The win gave Bahrain top spot in Group C with 12 points, one ahead of Iraq and three in front of Islamic Republic of Iran, who they meet on Monday.

IR Iran's Skocic shifts focus to Bahrain after Asian Qualifiers win over Hong Kong

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

IR Iran's Skocic shifts focus to Bahrain after Asian Qualifiers win over Hong Kong

Muharraq: Head coach Dragan Skocic was satisfied that Islamic Republic of Iran overcame Hong Kong 3-1 on Thursday, but believes there is room for improvement as they continue their campaign in the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Ali Gholizadeh opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, before Vahid Amiri and Karim Ansarifard scored in the 61st and 84th minutes to put the match beyond doubt, but Hong Kong displayed their fighting spirit to pick up a consolation goal through Matt Orr’s header.