#AsianQualifiers - The Star Performers

Thu, 28 Mar, 2024

#AsianQualifiers - The Star Performers

Kuala Lumpur: There were plenty of excellent individual performances as the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ returned to action across the continent on March 21 and 26. 

Some of Asia's biggest names turned on the style on Matchdays Three and Four of the qualifying campaign, while several hat-tricks and some notable displays at the back were among the highlights of the double-headers.
 
As the AFC Asian Qualifiers now take a two-month break before returning in early June, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the players who caught the eye in the recent internationals. 

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Who was your star performer?

#AsianQualifiers - MD4: 5 things we learned

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

#AsianQualifiers - MD4: 5 things we learned

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Four of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ concluded on Tuesday with another round of high octane action.

The players will now focus on their club commitments before converging again in June for the final two rounds of matches. 
 
Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at five things we learned from Matchday Four. 

Afif delighted with Qatar’s qualification; Westwood targets bigger things for Afghanistan

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Afif delighted with Qatar’s qualification; Westwood targets bigger things for Afghanistan

Kuwait City: Captain Akram Afif was proud to see Qatar pass a tough Kuwait test to secure a 2-1 win that clinched their spot in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Tuesday.

All three goals were scored in a space of four minutes late in the game with Almoez Ali’s double doing the trick for the reigning AFC Asian Cup champions, confirming them as Group A winners with two matches to spare.

Al Ghassani credits Bento for UAE masterclass against Yemen

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Al Ghassani credits Bento for UAE masterclass against Yemen

Al Khobar: Yahya Al Ghassani believes head coach Paulo Bento’s due diligence worked in the United Arab Emirates’ favour as they claimed a 3-0 victory against Yemen in Group H of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Tuesday.

A fourth straight win sealed their progress into the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and booked their ticket to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Ghalenoei wants a sharper IR Iran, Andersen sees positives in Hong Kong, China

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Ghalenoei wants a sharper IR Iran, Andersen sees positives in Hong Kong, China

Ashgabat: Amir Ghalenoei is demanding more potency from his Islamic Republic of Iran team despite having secured a spot at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and reaching Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers following a 1-0 win over Turkmenistan on Tuesday.

The head coach, who steered Iran to the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, was unhappy at the profligacy that could have been costly for Team Melli.

Team spirit vital to Kyrgyz Republic success, says Tarkovic

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Team spirit vital to Kyrgyz Republic success, says Tarkovic

Bishkek: Head coach Stefan Tarkovic credited his team’s unity for the 5-1 win over Chinese Taipei in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group D tie on Tuesday.

The win ensured Kyrgyz Republic stayed on top of the standings with nine points, ahead of Oman on goal difference, with Chinese Taipei remaining bottom.

Irandust: Mentality change the key for Syria

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Irandust: Mentality change the key for Syria

Dammam: Daleho Irandust praised Syria's determination after they brushed aside Myanmar 7-0  in their FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Grpup B tie on Tuesday.

Confidence was dented in the Syrian camp following the 1-1 draw in Yangon on Thursday but at the same time, the result also acted as a motivation according to Irandust.

Hwang: Future bright for Korea Republic

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Hwang: Future bright for Korea Republic

Bangkok: Hwang Sun-hong bid farewell to Korea Republic comfortable in the knowledge that the East Asian side are on the verge of qualifying for the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and confirming their ticket to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

A 3-0 win over Thailand took Korea Republic, who have qualified for every edition of the FIFA World Cup since 1986, to 10 points leaving them only needing one more from their remaining two matches to confirm progression.
 
Lee Jae-sung, Son Heung-min and Park Jin-seop scored as Korea Republic bounced back in style after being 1-1 by Thailand in Thursday's reverse fixture. 

Troussier parts ways with Vietnam

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Troussier parts ways with Vietnam

Hanoi: The Vietnam Football Federation has announced the departure of national team head coach Philippe Troussier after a 3-0 loss to Indonesia in the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Tuesday.

The 69-year-old Frenchman leaves the post with immediate effect and his departure comes less than a year after he took over as the full-time replacement for Park Hang-seo.

Casas pleased tweaks worked for Iraq; Shin proud of Indonesia’s improvement

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Casas pleased tweaks worked for Iraq; Shin proud of Indonesia’s improvement

Manila: Head coach Jesus Casas said learnings from the first meeting against Philippines paved the way for a 5-0 success on Tuesday that saw Iraq qualify for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and reach the third Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Needing a late goal to secure a home win in Basra on Thursday, it was a completely different scenario at Rizal Memorial Stadium as Iraq raced to a 3-0 first half lead in a commanding performance which took them to a perfect 12 points. 

Arnold's half-time pep talk does the trick for Australia

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Arnold's half-time pep talk does the trick for Australia

Canberra: Graham Arnold's half-time pep talk galvanised Australia to a 5-0 win over Lebanon in their FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group I clash on Tuesday. 

Despite getting off to a fast start with Kusini Yengi giving them a second minute lead, Australia struggled to put away their chances for the remainder of the first half. 
 
Arnold's intervention at half-time sparked the reaction the head coach wanted, with an own goal doubling their lead two minutes into the restart.
 
Craig Goodwin then struck twice in between John Iredale scoring his first goal for Australia to confirm their place in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 ticket.