Battat dedicates historic qualification to Palestine

Fri, 07 Jun, 2024

Battat dedicates historic qualification to Palestine

Doha: Captain Mus'ab Al Battat expressed the squad's pride after Palestine secured qualification to the third stage of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time on Thursday.

A goalless stalemate with Lebanon in Group I of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ was enough for Palestine to secure second place.

The result also meant a fourth consecutive appearance in the AFC Asian Cup Finals, with the West Asian side having advanced to the knockout stage for the first time at Qatar 2023.

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Arnold praises resilient Socceroos

Fri, 07 Jun, 2024

Arnold praises resilient Socceroos

Dhaka: Head coach Graham Arnold applauded his players after Australia overcame tough conditions to defeat Bangladesh 2-0 in their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group I tie on Thursday.

Having already secured their spot in the next round ahead of the clash in Dhaka, the challenge was for Australia to maintain their winning streak and keep another clean sheet - tests which the Socceroos passed with flying colours under humid conditions.

Westwood’s Afghanistan focused on making history; India’s Stimac looking ahead

Fri, 07 Jun, 2024

Westwood’s Afghanistan focused on making history; India’s Stimac looking ahead

Al Hasa: Ashley Westwood believes the point Afghanistan earned against Qatar in their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group A match will prove valuable in the final reckoning.

The Afghanistan head coach is aiming to lead the team to historic firsts by reaching the Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 as well securing a place in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, with the Central Asian side needing to better India’s result in the final set of matches on Tuesday.

Ammouta happy to see Jordan thriving under pressure

Fri, 07 Jun, 2024

Ammouta happy to see Jordan thriving under pressure

Amman: Following a hugely successful AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, Hussein Ammouta knew the pressure was on for Jordan to march into the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and Al Nashama did just that after defeating Tajikistan 3-0 on Thursday.

The win achieved on home soil through goals from Ali Olwan, Yazan Al-Naimat and Ibrahim Sa’deh also meant that Jordan qualified for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Heading into the game two points ahead of Tajikistan, Ammouta’s initial plan was to give his younger players the chance to start but ultimately changed his mind.

Perfect tactics secured victory, says Oman’s Mushaifri

Fri, 07 Jun, 2024

Perfect tactics secured victory, says Oman’s Mushaifri

Taipei: Hat-trick hero Abdul Rahman Al Mushaifri credited head coach Jaroslav Silhavy’s well laid plans for Oman’s win over Chinese Taipei in Group D of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday. 

The 3-0 win secured Oman their spot in the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the second edition in a row and also confirmed their ticket to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.

Mushaifri was the star of the show, netting in the 31st, 55th and 75th minutes as Oman moved to 12 points, with Kyrgyz Republic their opponents in a top-of-the-table clash on Tuesday.

Son applauds young Korea Republic teammates

Fri, 07 Jun, 2024

Son applauds young Korea Republic teammates

Singapore: Son Heung-min paid tribute to seven new teammates after Korea Republic advanced to the next stage of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying on Thursday.

Son and Lee Kang-in netted braces as Korea Republic eased to a 7-0 win against Singapore in their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ tie, with the result confirming the East Asian side as the Group C winners. 

The Tottenham Hotspur forward was effusive in his praise for his teammates, with interim head coach Kim Do-hoon naming seven first-timers to the squad with five seeing action against Singapore. 

Vietnam’s positivity delights Kim

Fri, 07 Jun, 2024

Vietnam’s positivity delights Kim

Hanoi: Kim Sang-sik made a winning start to life as the head coach of Vietnam after his team worked hard to secure a 3-2 win over Philippines in their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group F tie on Thursday.

The thrilling match was tied 2-2 with Pham Tuan Tai emerging Vietnam’s hero with the winning goal in the fifth minute of added time to keep his team in the running for a top two spot, with Kim praising his clinical forwards and general mood in the squad. 

Moriyasu's tinkering pays off for Japan

Fri, 07 Jun, 2024

Moriyasu's tinkering pays off for Japan

Yangon: It may not have been pleasing on the eye but Hajime Moriyasu believes Japan now have another option to fall back on following their 5-0 win over Myanmar on Thursday.

The victory made it five wins out of five for Japan in Group B of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with Moriyasu now even more confident of his side's chances despite the tougher matches to come. 

Iraq’s Casas looks ahead; Shin wants one final push from Indonesia

Fri, 07 Jun, 2024

Iraq’s Casas looks ahead; Shin wants one final push from Indonesia

Jakarta: It will be tough but Jesus Casas believes Iraq have the potential to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 after an impressive second round qualifying campaign.

Casas’ side defeated Indonesia 2-0 in their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ tie in Jakarta on Thursday to confirm themselves as the Group F winners and the tactician wants them to aim even higher now.

Ghalenoei: IR Iran did well to beat Hong Kong, China

Fri, 07 Jun, 2024

Ghalenoei: IR Iran did well to beat Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong: Amir Ghalenoei expressed his satisfaction with Islamic Republic of Iran's performance in their 4-2 win over Hong Kong, China in Group E of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday.

Having already booked their spot in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals, Iran faced stiff resistance from a Hong Kong side who were already out of the running.

However, a Mehdi Taremi hat-trick powered them to a 4-2 win with their clash against Uzbekistan on Tuesday to decide the group winners. 

Kim believes Malaysia will do it

Fri, 07 Jun, 2024

Kim believes Malaysia will do it

Bishkek: Head coach Kim Pan Gon is adamant that Malaysia still have a chance despite settling for a 1-1 draw against Kyrgyz Republic in Group D of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday. 

The result left Malaysia third in the standings, three points behind their Central Asian opponents with Oman having confirmed qualification after a 3-0 win over Chinese Taipei. 

Kim’s side face Chinese Taipei on Tuesday, needing to win by a sizable margin and hoping that Oman defeat Kyrgyz Republic to achieve a miraculous qualification for the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers and secure an early ticket to the 2027 Asian Cup.

Ivankovic confident of China PR’s chances

Fri, 07 Jun, 2024

Ivankovic confident of China PR’s chances

Shenyang: Branko Ivankovic is confident of China PR’s chances despite needing a late goal to salvage a 1-1 draw with Thailand in Group C of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday.

Thailand struck through Supachok Sarachat in the 20th minute with Behram Abduweli equalising to maintain their three-point advantage over the Thais heading into Tuesday’s final matchday.

China need a draw against group winners Korea Republic while Thailand have to beat Singapore by a sizable margin and hope Ivankovic’s side lose to stand a chance of progressing.