MD1 Preview - Group B: Hopefuls seek early advantage

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

MD1 Preview - Group B: Hopefuls seek early advantage

Kuala Lumpur: Group B of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 is set for an exciting start as the four teams in action on Matchday One look to hit the ground running.

With Australia the fifth team in the group, Chinese Taipei will be targeting full points against Jordan while Kuwait will expect the same against Nepal.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/video/matchday_one_-_group_b.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/kuwait-training.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/nepal-team-anfa.html

MD1 Preview - Group A: Home teams seek winning starts

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

MD1 Preview - Group A: Home teams seek winning starts

Kuala Lumpur: Guam and the Philippines will be aiming for winning starts when they begin their respective FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers' campaigns on Thursday.

Guam face Maldives in the opening match of the second round of the Asian Qualifiers while Philippines will face Syria later in the day.

Classics on the cards

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Classics on the cards

Kuala Lumpur: History will be made in Pyongyang on October 15 when Korea Republic travel to face DPR Korea in their Asian Qualifiers tie for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 as the neighbouring rivals meet on the pitch in a competitive fixture in the northern nation for the first time.

The encounter – the first of two in Group H featuring the Koreans, with the second in Seoul on June 4, 2020 – headlines the second round of qualifying for the two tournaments that has thrown up an array of fascinating clashes that will often see traditional rivals go head-to-head for a berth in the next round of the campaign for places in Qatar and China PR.

Cooper: Philippines must make home games count

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Cooper: Philippines must make home games count

Manila: Philippines assistant coach Scott Cooper is calling upon his Azkals players to make home advantage work for them as they embark on their attempt to secure a spot in the next round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

The Filipinos booked a place at the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in the United Arab Emirates earlier this year and Cooper – who worked alongside Sven-Goran Eriksson at the Finals and who is now working alongside new coach Goran Milojevic – is expecting another strong showing from the Southeast Asian nation.

Day urges Bangladesh to emulate Abahani

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Day urges Bangladesh to emulate Abahani

Dhaka: Head coach Jamie Day has called on Bangladesh to draw inspiration from Abahani Dhaka Limited as they prepare to kick off their Asian Qualifiers campaign for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Bangladesh are in a challenging Group E with reigning AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar, Oman, India and Afghanistan, who they open their campaign against on September 10, and Day wants the South Asians to rise to the challenge.

One match at a time for Indonesia, says McMenemy

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

One match at a time for Indonesia, says McMenemy

Jakarta: Simon McMenemy will look to tap into his experience as a club coach when he leads Indonesia into their opening Asian Qualifiers tie against Malaysia for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 on Thursday, as the two Southeast Asian nations commence their campaign at a pulsating Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.

The former Philippines boss – who led Bhayangkara FC to the Indonesia league title in 2018 – will adopt a “one game at a time” approach to life in Group G, which also sees Tim Merah-Putih face off against Thailand, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates in the battle for places in the next round of qualifying for Qatar 2022.

Head coaches set for battle of wills

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Head coaches set for battle of wills

Kuala Lumpur: From wily veterans to willing novices, the men charged with leading the 40 nations seeking to advance to the next phase of qualifying for the the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 will be putting the finishing touches to the preparations as the countdown to kick off the second round of the Asian Qualifiers ticks ever louder.

The range in know-how between those taking part is vast, and no one brings more experience to the campaign than Marcello Lippi, the man who led Italy to their fourth world title in 2006 and who is charged with ending China PR’s lengthy FIFA World Cup drought.