Bahrain’s Talajic hails players for sticking to game plan in Australia win

Fri, 06 Sep, 2024

Bahrain’s Talajic hails players for sticking to game plan in Australia win

Gold Coast: Dragan Talajic did not hold back on his praise after Bahrain stunned Australia 1-0 in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group C opener on Thursday. 

Bahrain's first ever win against Australia was sealed when Harry Souttar deflected Abdulla Alkhalasi’s cross from the left into his own net just before the 90-minute mark at Robina Stadium as the West Asian side kicked off their campaign for an inaugural appearance at the FIFA World Cup with a bang.

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MD1 - Results & Reports

Fri, 06 Sep, 2024

MD1 - Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday 1 of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 saw several stunning results as the continent's finest 18 teams took their first steps towards qualifying for the FIFA World Cup.

Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates shocked Australia and Qatar respectively while Palestine and Indonesia impressed in draws with Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia.

It was, however, business as usual for Japan and Islamic Republic of Iran who opened their campaigns with victories.

As the teams cast their eyes on another round of matches on Tuesday, stay updated on all the action with the-AFC.com.

Group C: Australia 0-1 Bahrain

Thu, 12 Sep, 2024

Group C: Australia 0-1 Bahrain

Gold Coast: Bahrain stunned 10-man Australia 1-0 in their opening AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group C tie at Robina Stadium on Thursday.

Reduced to 10 players following Kusini Yengi’s sending off in the 77th minute, Australia were dealt a body blow in the closing minutes when Harry Souttar inadvertently deflected Abdulla Alkhalasi’s cross from the left into his own net as Bahrain recorded their first ever win against the Socceroos. 

Group C: Japan 7-0 China PR

Thu, 12 Sep, 2024

Group C: Japan 7-0 China PR

Saitama: Japan cruised to a comprehensive 7-0 victory over China PR at Saitama Stadium on Thursday as Hajime Moriyasu’s side made an impressive start to life in Group C of the AFC Asian™ Qualifiers -Road to 26.

Headers from Wataru Endo and Kaoru Mitoma gave Moriyasu’s side a two-goal advantage at half time before Takumi Minamino struck twice in six minutes early in the second half.
Junya Ito claimed the fifth late in the game and Daizen Maeda headed in the sixth with three minutes left while Takefusa Kubo completed the rout in injury time.

Group A: Qatar 1-3 United Arab Emirates

Thu, 12 Sep, 2024

Group A: Qatar 1-3 United Arab Emirates

Al Rayyan: United Arab Emirates produced a thrilling comeback to defeat Qatar 3-1 in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group A tie at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Thursday.

UAE will look to build on this win when they face Islamic Republic of Iran at Al Ain on Tuesday, with Qatar looking to bounce back in their against DPR Korea.

Group A: IR Iran 1-0 Kyrgyz Republic

Thu, 12 Sep, 2024

Group A: IR Iran 1-0 Kyrgyz Republic

Fuladshahr: Islamic Republic of Iran made a winning start to their Group A campaign in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 on Thursday as Amir Ghaleneoi’s side handed Kyrgyz Republic a 1-0 defeat at Foolad Shahr Stadium.

Captain Mehdi Taremi hit the only goal of the game 11 minutes before the end of the first half while Omid Noorafkan went close to adding a second when his strike came back off the Kyrgyz post in the 58th minute.

The Iranians were made to battle for the win due to an improved performance in the second half by the visitors after the hosts had dictated proceedings in the opening 45 minutes.

Group A: Uzbekistan 1-0 DPR Korea

Thu, 12 Sep, 2024

Group A: Uzbekistan 1-0 DPR Korea

Tashkent: Uzbekistan laboured to a 1-0 win over DPR Korea in their opening AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group A match at Bunyodkor Stadium on Thursday.

Goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov was the hero of the side, saving a first half penalty from Kang Kuk Chol to preserve the lead Jaloliddin Masharipov had given Uzbekistan in the 20th minute.

Group B: Iraq 1-0 Oman

Thu, 12 Sep, 2024

Group B: Iraq 1-0 Oman

Basra:  Iraq secured a hard-fought 1-0 win in their opening AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group A match against Oman at the Basra Stadium on Thursday.

Aymen Hussein’s first half goal was enough to seal the win with Iraq to play Kuwait on Tuesday, while Oman will be aiming to bounce back when they face Korea Republic.

Group B: Korea Republic 0-0 Palestine

Thu, 12 Sep, 2024

Group B: Korea Republic 0-0 Palestine

Seoul: A resolute and determined Palestine held Korea Republic to a 0-0 draw in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group B tie at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Thursday.

Making their debut at this stage of the competition, the point is a boost for Palestine who will meet Jordan next on Tuesday, while Korea Republic will play Oman.

Playoff - 1st Leg: Sri Lanka 0-0 Cambodia

Thu, 05 Sep, 2024

Playoff - 1st Leg: Sri Lanka 0-0 Cambodia

Colombo: Cambodia displayed resilience to hold Sri Lanka to a 0-0 draw in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ playoff tie on Thursday.

The stalemate is a boost for the Southeast Asian side who will host the return leg in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.

Playoff - 1st Leg: Timor Leste 4-1 Mongolia

Thu, 05 Sep, 2024

Playoff - 1st Leg: Timor Leste 4-1 Mongolia

Bali: Timor-Leste defeated Mongolia 4-1 in the first leg of their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ playoff tie on Thursday.

The two sides will meet again at the MFF Stadium in Ulaanbaatar on Tuesday, with the victors to advance to the final round of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifiers.