Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Kuala Lumpur: The Islamic Republic of Iran dropped three spots but remain as Asia’s top ranked team at 23, in the latest FIFA World Ranking which was released on Thursday.
Asia's top fifteen were unchanged as Japan dropped five rungs to 33rd while Korea Republic, at 37th, remained as Asia's third highest ranked side.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Beijing: The journey to the next edition of Asia’s pinnacle stage passed a significant milestone on Thursday after the kick off meeting for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 was held in the capital, Beijing.
The AFC delegation, led by the AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John, met with the country’s top sports officials including H.E. Gou Zhongwen, Minister of General Administration of Sport of the People’s Republic of China and H.E. Du Zhaocai, Vice-Minister of General Administration of Sport of the People’s Republic of China and one of the AFC’s five representatives on the FIFA Council.
Dato Windsor re-affirmed the Asian football family’s confidence in China’s ability to stage an exceptional AFC Asian Cup in 2023, before outlining the AFC’s Vision, Mission, expectations, as well as key deliverables for the upcoming tournament.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manila: Philippines head coach Scott Cooper will place his trust in a mix of youth and experience for the Asian Qualifiers of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.
Cooper has been with Azkals since last year, overseeing training with Sven Goran Eriksson, who had a brief stint with the squad during the 2018 AFF Championship and 2019 AFC Asian Cup UAE in January.
The Philippines made their historic debut in UAE but ended their campaign in the group stage of the Continental competition after finishing behind Kyrgyz Republic, China PR and Korea Republic.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Head coach Marc Wilmots has described the Asian Qualifiers draw as not easy but Islamic Republic of Iran's target will be to win the group.
Iran, Asia's top ranked team, were drawn in Group C for Round Two of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Joint Qualifiers.
Team Melli will have to get past Iraq, Bahrain, Hong Kong and Cambodia to advance to the third round, which will not only take them a step closer to a third consecutive FIFA World Cup Finals appearance but also seal them a place in the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Finals.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Newly appointed Singapore head coach Tatsuma Yoshida is optimistic about his team’s chances in Round Two of the Asian Qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 despite being drawn in a tough group.
Singapore were drawn in Group D with Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Palestine and Yemen - who have all played in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
The Lions, ranked 162 in the world, will face stiff competition in the qualifying campaign when they kick off against Yemen on September 5 and Palestine five days later.
Three-time AFC Asian Cup champions Saudi Arabia will be next on October 10 and Yoshida admitted Singapore face a huge challenge.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic will remain true to the style they have developed under Paulo Bento, the Portuguese head coach said after Wednesday’s Asian Qualifiers draw for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 at AFC House.
Drawn alongside Lebanon, DPR Korea, Turkmenistan and Sri Lanka in a logistically-challenging Group H, Bento said that, while the approach may vary slightly for individual opponents, Korea Republic’s overarching philosophy will remain.
“Preparations, until now have, been good,” said the 50-year-old, who led Sporting and Olympiacos to silverware in European club football.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Recently-appointed Turkmenistan head coach Ante Miše reacted positively to his side’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifying draw, pinpointing an early win in Sri Lanka as the key to a chance of progression.
The Central Asian nation will face Korea Republic, Lebanon and DPR Korea – all of whom qualified for AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 – in Group H, as well as Sri Lanka: the lowest-ranked team remaining in the competition at 201st in the world.
Turkmenistan will begin their campaign against the Sri Lankans on September 5, and Miše, who was appointed to the head coaching role in March, believes three points in that match could be the platform his team needs to challenge for further honours.