Bailey Wright called up by Australia for Oman, Japan ties

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Bailey Wright called up by Australia for Oman, Japan ties

Doha: Australia have called up Bailey Wright to replace Milos Degenek for their matches in the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar against Oman and Japan after the defender tested positive for COVID-19.

The Red Star Belgrade player, who is asymptomatic, returned the positive result before travelling to Qatar to link up with Graham Arnold’s Socceroos squad.

AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar: Facts and Stats

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar: Facts and Stats

Kuala Lumpur: Matchdays Three and Four of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar promise to be thrilling affairs as the 12 teams look to enhance their hopes of reaching the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Finals.

Some will head into the next round of matches boosted by their recent form while others will need to up their game if they are to stay in the race for the four automatic Qatar 2022 spots.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the facts and stats the teams will have to contend with going into Matchday Three.

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar: How Group B stands

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar: How Group B stands

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar moves on to its Matchday Three and Four fixtures with the next set of games taking place on October 7 and 12 and the six sides in Group B returning for more vital match-ups. 

A huge shock on Matchday One saw Oman defeat Japan in Osaka to gain the best possible start, while powerhouses Saudi Arabia and Australia began with two wins from two. China PR and Vietnam, meanwhile, both suffered back-to-back defeats.

Leading the way at present is Graham Arnold's Australia, who got off to a flying start as goals from Awer Mabil, Martin Boyle and Mitchell Duke secured a comfortable 3-0 win over China in Doha, before Rhyan Grant's first international goal edged a narrow 1-0 victory against Vietnam in Hanoi.

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar: How Group A stands

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar: How Group A stands

Kuala Lumpur: With the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar returning on October 7 for another crucial pair of double-headers, the-AFC.com brings you up to speed with how things look in Group A. 

After two rounds of fixtures, the heavyweights of Islamic Republic of Iran and Korea Republic have already stamped their authority on the group, with the Iranians leading the way following back-to-back wins over Syria and Iraq, and the Koreans two points back after drawing against Iraq and beating Lebanon.

Dragan Skocic's Iran have been arguably the most impressive side in the AFC Asian Qualifiers to date, with Alireza Jahanbakhsh rediscovering his mojo since returning to the Eredivisie to join Feyenoord. The former Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder netted the only goal on Matchday One as his side edged Syria before opening the scoring in an emphatic 3-0 win over neighbours Iraq.

Kwon Chang-hoon pulls out of Korea Republic squad

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Kwon Chang-hoon pulls out of Korea Republic squad

Seoul: Kwon Chang-hoon has withdrawn from Korea Republic’s squad for their upcoming matches in the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar with an injury to his left ankle.

The 27-year-old, who scored the only goal in Korea Republic’s win over Lebanon in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers last month, netted the winner in Suwon Samsung Bluewing’s 1-0 victory against Incheon United on Saturday before being substituted with 21 minutes remaining.

Arnold picks settled squad as Australia get set for Oman, Japan matches

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Arnold picks settled squad as Australia get set for Oman, Japan matches

Doha: Head coach Graham Arnold has opted for limited changes to the Australia squad for the Socceroos' upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar matches against Oman and Japan.

Australia, who lead Group B after opening their campaign with wins over Vietnam and China PR, play Oman in Doha on October 7 and Japan five days later at Saitama Stadium.

Lebanon’s Mansour to miss Iraq, Syria games

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Lebanon’s Mansour to miss Iraq, Syria games

Beirut: Captain Nour Mansor will miss Syria's upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar matches against Iraq and Syria.

Defender Mansour is nursing an injured shoulder suffered while playing for Al Ahed in their 3-1 defeat to Bahrain’s Muharraq in the West Zonal Semi-final of the 2021 AFC Cup last week.

Midfielder Hassan Chaito will also miss the two matches due to injury while Fadel Antar, the leading scorer in the Lebanese Premier League, earns his first national team call-up.