AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar: Players on Form

Tue, 25 Jan, 2022

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar: Players on Form

Kuala Lumpur: With the first set of AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar fixtures of 2022 set to take place in the coming days, we take a look at the players who have been turning on the style for their club sides in recent weeks. 

The stakes could barely be any higher ahead of Matchdays Seven and Eight, when three of the four automatic places at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar could be confirmed. Here's eight stars to keep an eye out for. 

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

Mon, 24 Jan, 2022

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

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar campaign has reached the business end of proceedings as the sides get set for their crucial Matchday Seven and Eight encounters in the week ahead. 

In Group A, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Korea Republic are way out in front and could guarantee their progression to the FIFA World Cup with several games to spare. Below them, the four sides look set to battle it out for third place. 

With the upcoming games to be held on January 27 and February 1, the-AFC.com looks at the state of play ahead of what is sure to be a crunch set of double-headers. 

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

Mon, 24 Jan, 2022

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

Kuala Lumpur: Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar campaign looks set to go down to the wire as three teams appear likely to fight it out for the two automatic places at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. 

Saudi Arabia have a commanding lead with Japan and Australia aiming to push them all the way, while Oman and China PR haven’t given up hope of a third-place finish. 

Ahead of the Matchday Seven and Eight encounters on January 27 and February 1, the-AFC.com looks at how things stand with four games remaining. 

Hat-trick hero Chetthabutr optimistic of Thailand's chances

Tue, 25 Jan, 2022

Hat-trick hero Chetthabutr optimistic of Thailand's chances

Navi Mumbai: Kanyanat Chetthabutr believes Thailand’s 4-0 win against Indonesia on Monday is the catalyst to power their AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ campaign.

Chetthabutr was in sizzling form at the D.Y. Patil Stadium, scoring a brace in the first half and completing her hat-trick in the second period before Irravadee Makris added the fourth goal as Thailand bounced back from their opening day 1-0 defeat to the Philippines.

“I couldn’t be prouder” – Philippines' Stajcic delighted despite defeat to Australia

Tue, 25 Jan, 2022

“I couldn’t be prouder” – Philippines' Stajcic delighted despite defeat to Australia

Mumbai: Philippines head coach Alen Stajcic heaped praise on his players after they were gallant in defeat against AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ title chasers Australia on Monday. 

The final score line at Mumbai Football Arena read: Australia 4 Philippines 0, but that went only part of the way towards telling the story of what transpired in the first meeting between the two sides since 2008. 

Room for improvement, admits Korea Republic’s Bell

Tue, 25 Jan, 2022

Room for improvement, admits Korea Republic’s Bell

Pune: Korea Republic had to fight hard to secure victory against a valiant Myanmar in Group C of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ on Monday and head coach Colin Bell agreed there is still room for improvement as his side set their sights on the quarter-finals. 

Resolute Myanmar defending saw both teams head into the half-time break in a goalless stalemate at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, but Korea Republic turned on the power after the breather to walk away 2-0 winners. 

Patience was a virtue for Matildas, says Gustavsson

Tue, 25 Jan, 2022

Patience was a virtue for Matildas, says Gustavsson

Mumbai: Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson praised his side’s ability to remain focused in their 4-0 AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ win against the Philippines on Monday.

Fresh from piling on 18 unanswered goals against Indonesia, the Matildas were kept at bay for 50 minutes by a spirited Philippines defence before their class ultimately produced a flurry of goals after half-time.

The result put Australia in the quarter-finals, with a draw or better against Thailand to confirm them as group winners on Thursday, while the Philippines are also likely to reach the knockout stage if they can defeat Indonesia.