Park hails ‘great’ Vietnam result, Moriyasu looks to the future

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Park hails ‘great’ Vietnam result, Moriyasu looks to the future

Saitama: Park Hang-seo was full of praise for his Vietnam side as they rounded off their AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ Group B campaign with a historic 1-1 draw against Japan at Saitama Stadium on Tuesday. 

Nguyen Thanh Binh gave the Golden Star Warriors a surprise lead in the 19th minute before Japan equalised through Maya Yoshida nine minutes after the interval but, despite wave after wave of Japanese attacks and two disallowed goals, Vietnam held out for a memorable point.

While the Southeast Asians ultimately finished bottom of the standings in what was their maiden appearance in the final round of AFC Asian Qualifiers, the hard-fought draw was the first time they had avoided defeat against the Samurai Blue and their first point away from home in Group B. 

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Ivankovic pleased with Oman's overall performance

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Ivankovic pleased with Oman's overall performance

Muscat: Coach Branko Ivankovic praised his team’s performance as Oman completed their commitments in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ on a high with a 2-0 win over China PR in Muscat on Tuesday.

Goals from Arshad Al Alawi and Abdullah Fawaz earned the Omanis victory over the Chinese as the West nation confirmed themselves as fourth place finishers in Group B, behind Saudi Arabia, Japan and Australia.

The win was Oman’s fourth in 10 games and saw Ivankovic’s side finish just one point behind the third placed Socceroos.

Early goal ruined our plans, says Iraq’s Shahad

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Early goal ruined our plans, says Iraq’s Shahad

Dubai: Iraq head coach Abdul Ghani Shahad said his team was affected by the early goal they conceded in their 1-1 draw against Syria in their final Group A match of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ on Tuesday.

The result ended Iraq’s hopes of qualification to the FIFA World Cup Finals for the second time in their history after the UAE defeated Korea Republic 1-0 to book the playoff spot from the group.

Asia's Qatar 2022, Playoff teams finalised

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Asia's Qatar 2022, Playoff teams finalised

Kuala Lumpur: United Arab Emirates will face Australia in the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ playoff after sealing third place in Group A on the final night of action on Tuesday. 

UAE defeated Korea Republic 1-0 to finish ahead of Iraq and Lebanon.

Australia, meanwhile, had already confirmed third place in Group B ahead of Matchday 10, and completed their campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Group B: Vietnam hold Japan to sign off on a high

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Group B: Vietnam hold Japan to sign off on a high

Saitama: Vietnam secured a historic point to round off their AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ Group B campaign after surviving a second-half onslaught to earn a 1-1 draw against FIFA World Cup-bound Japan at Saitama Stadium on Tuesday.

After defeating Australia on Thursday to confirm their place at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Japan knew a win would guarantee they finish on top of the standings, but they fell behind inside 20 minutes when Nguyen Thanh Binh headed in to stun the home support.

Maya Yoshida levelled proceedings early in the second half but, despite a host of chances and two disallowed goals, the Samurai Blue were unable to bring the curtain down on their group stage with a seventh successive win. 

The result means Japan will fall to second in the standings should Saudi Arabia defeat Australia in Jeddah later on Tuesday, while Vietnam finish bottom of Group B after what has been their maiden appearance in the final round of AFC Asian Qualifiers.

Group A: Syria dash Iraq's qualification dream

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Group A: Syria dash Iraq's qualification dream

Dubai: On the final day of Group A in the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™, Syria and Iraq shared the points with a 1-1 draw at Rashid Stadium on Tuesday, ending Iraq’s hopes of qualification after the UAE defeated Korea Republic 1-0.

Despite keeping over 60 per cent of possession during the 90 minutes and over 15 shots, Iraq’s hopes of clinching third place in the group were dashed with the United Arab Emirates producing a valuable 1-0 win against Korea Republic in the game that took place across the city at the same time.

Group A: UAE end Korea Republic's unbeaten run to seal playoff spot

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Group A: UAE end Korea Republic's unbeaten run to seal playoff spot

Dubai: Harib Abdalla’s first international goal kept United Arab Emirates AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ dream alive in a 1-0 win over already-qualified Korea Republic at the Al Maktoum Stadium on Tuesday.

The result secured third place in Group A for the Emiratis, sending them to a single-leg AFC playoff against Australia in June, with the winner to meet the fifth placed side from CONMEBOL qualifying for a berth at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.
 
Abdalla’s strike also saw Korea Republic leapfrogged by Islamic Republic of Iran at the top of the group, after the East Asian side suffered their first and only defeat of the qualifying cycle.