Asian Qualifiers - Group H: Korea Republic confirm top spot, defeat dents Lebanon's hopes

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asian Qualifiers - Group H: Korea Republic confirm top spot, defeat dents Lebanon's hopes

Goyang: Lebanon will have to wait to see if they will advance to the final round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and directly to the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Finals after a 2-1 defeat to Group H winners Korea Republic on Sunday left their fate firmly in the balance.

Needing a win at Goyang Stadium to guarantee progression, Lebanon opened the scoring against the run of play in the 12th minute through Soony Saad before Song Min-kyu levelled for the hosts six minutes after the interval.

Son Heung-min’s penalty put Korea in front midway through the second half and, with no further goals, the result means Lebanon will have to wait until the remaining teams in the Asian Qualifiers close out their campaigns on Tuesday to find out if they advance to the next phase as one of the five best runners-up.

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www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/korea_republic_v_lebanon-asian_qualifiers_2.html

Australia’s Arnold focused on Jordan as he eyes perfect finish to Asian Qualifiers

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Australia’s Arnold focused on Jordan as he eyes perfect finish to Asian Qualifiers

Kuwait City: With their seventh consecutive victory in the bag, Australia head coach Graham Arnold is aiming for a perfect finish in their Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 campaign, following their 3-0 win over 10-man Nepal on Friday.

The Socceroos led from start to finish with goals from Mathew Leckie, Fran Karacic and Martin Boyle to seal top spot in Group B with 21 points from seven matches to book their place in the final round of the Asian Qualifiers and confirm their seat to the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Finals.

Skocic urges IR Iran to maintain drive as Asian Qualifiers decider against Iraq looms

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Skocic urges IR Iran to maintain drive as Asian Qualifiers decider against Iraq looms

Riffa: Islamic Republic of Iran head coach Dragan Skocic is expecting his side to continue their winning form when they play Iraq in their final Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Group C tie against Iraq on Tuesday.

Team Melli made it three wins in as many matches in Riffa with a 10-0 defeat of Cambodia on Friday to set up a cracker finale against Iraq.

With Iraq - on 17 points - two ahead of Iran, victory is the only option for Skocic's side in their bid to qualify for their third consecutive FIFA World Cup Finals.

Confident Li Tie relishing China PR's crucial Asian Qualifiers face-off with Syria

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Confident Li Tie relishing China PR's crucial Asian Qualifiers face-off with Syria

Sharjah: China PR head coach Li Tie will take his side into their crucial final match in the second round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 against Syria in confident mood after notching up a comfortable 5-0 win over the Maldives on Friday.

The Syrians have already secured top spot in Group A but Li Tie’s team will be looking to take all three points to boost their chances of claiming one of the runners-up places available in the final round of the Asian Qualifiers when they meet at the Sharjah Stadium on Tuesday.

Five places are available to second place finishers with the best records across the eight groups after FIFA World Cup hosts Qatar, who cannot advance to the next round as a result, topped Group E.

Saudi Arabia’s Renard identifies keys behind Asian Qualifiers late show against Singapore, Yoshida praises his players

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Saudi Arabia’s Renard identifies keys behind Asian Qualifiers late show against Singapore, Yoshida praises his players

Riyadh: Patience and positivity were the keys behind Saudi Arabia’s 3-0 victory against Singapore in Group D of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, according to head coach Herve Renard.

In a tightly contested game, Saudi Arabia were made to wait until the final 10 minutes at King Saud University Stadium before they could finally unlock a resilient Singaporean defence. But when it rained, it poured as Salem Al Dawsari, Fahad Al Muwallad and Saleh Al Shehri all found the back of the net after the 83rd minute.

Van Marwijk warns UAE against overconfidence, Choi promises brighter future for Indonesia after Asian Qualifiers exit

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Van Marwijk warns UAE against overconfidence, Choi promises brighter future for Indonesia after Asian Qualifiers exit

Dubai: UAE head coach Bert van Marwijk warned against overconfidence as his side marched to a 5-0 victory against Indonesia on Friday, their third consecutive win in Group G of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Ali Mabkhout and Fabio Lima struck for the UAE inside the opening half an hour, and the pair were back on the scoresheet after the restart before veteran Sebastian Tagliabue came off the bench to round off the scoring with five minutes to go.

Park hails Vietnam players after gritty Asian Qualifiers win, Tan rues Malaysia's bad luck

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Park hails Vietnam players after gritty Asian Qualifiers win, Tan rues Malaysia's bad luck

Dubai: Head coach Park Hang-seo lauded his Vietnam players after an "exhausting" win against Malaysia in Group G of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 on Friday.

Vietnam's resilience saw them edge Malaysia 2-1 to remain firmly in the driver's seat to win Group G and earn a ticket to the final round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Sitting on 17 points, two ahead of hosts United Arab Emirates heading into their clash on Tuesday, Vietnam only need to avoid defeat to book their spot in the final round.