Preview – Group B: Japan v Vietnam

Mon, 28 Mar, 2022

Preview – Group B: Japan v Vietnam

Saitama: There will be a celebratory atmosphere at Saitama Stadium on Tuesday as Japan round off their AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ campaign at home to Group B’s bottom side Vietnam. 

The Samurai Blue secured qualification to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ by defeating Australia 2-0 in Sydney on Matchday Nine last Thursday as they progressed to the global showpiece for the seventh successive time. 

Currently a point ahead of second-placed Saudi Arabia, a win over the Vietnamese on Matchday Ten would ensure Hajime Moriyasu’s team finish on top of the standings. 

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/video/asianqualifiers_-_group_b_|_australia_0_-_2_japan.html

Five Takeaways from AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ Matchday Nine

Sat, 26 Mar, 2022

Five Takeaways from AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ Matchday Nine

Dubai: A thrilling day of AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ action produced some big stories across the continent as Saudi Arabia and Japan officially joined Korea Republic and Islamic Republic of Iran as well as hosts Qatar as Asia’s four confirmed representatives on the global stage later this year.

Australia were consigned to finish third, having previously confirmed they cannot mathematically finish any lower. Across the two groups, there was plenty of drama, late goals, managerial debuts gone right and wrong and more. So the-AFC.com takes us through five key takeaways from Matchday Nine.

International friendlies wrap: Bright start for Qatar, Singapore impress

Sun, 27 Mar, 2022

International friendlies wrap: Bright start for Qatar, Singapore impress

Kuala Lumpur: Qatar started their international calendar with an impressive victory on Saturday, Bahrain downed Burundi, while Singapore came out tops in a thrilling win over Malaysia.

India, meanwhile, lost to  Belarus. Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the international friendlies played on Saturday.

Japan’s Moriyasu credits players for Sydney success, Arnold looks ahead

Fri, 25 Mar, 2022

Japan’s Moriyasu credits players for Sydney success, Arnold looks ahead

Sydney: Delighted Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu lauded the winning mindset of his players after they scored twice in the dying minutes to qualify for this year’s FIFA World Cup™ with a 2-0 AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ win over Australia on Thursday.

Substitute Kaoru Mitoma was the hero, breaking the deadlock from close range in the 89th minute before a low effort skidded on the greasy surface and under goalkeeper Mat Ryan four minutes into stoppage time as Japan celebrated their first away win over the Socceroos since 1998.

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Bali crowned champions; Ulsan beat rivals Pohang

Mon, 28 Mar, 2022

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Bali crowned champions; Ulsan beat rivals Pohang

Kuala Lumpur: Bali United have been crowned champions of Indonesia for the second time after title rivals Persib Bandung dropped points over the weekend confirmed the destination of the Liga 1 trophy. 

Ulsan Hyundai claimed bragging rights in Korea Republic by overcoming East Coast Derby rivals Pohang Steelers on Sunday, while the top two teams won in Australia to pull further away from the chasing pack. 

Elsewhere, there were games in Cambodia and Macau, so join the-AFC.com as we look back on the action from across ASEAN and East Asia. 

Group B: Japan beat Australia to reach Qatar 2022™

Fri, 25 Mar, 2022

Group B: Japan beat Australia to reach Qatar 2022™

Sydney: Japan secured their place in a seventh successive FIFA World Cup™ emerging from a crucial AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ clash against Australia with a 2-0 win on Thursday.

A pair of late goals from substitute Kaoru Mitoma finally rewarded Japan on a night where they peppered the Australian goal, leaving the Socceroos in a precarious position in their own bid to reach Qatar 2022.
 
The result means Graham Arnold’s side will enter the playoffs in June, with wins required over the third placed side in Group A, as well as the fifth placed South American side, if they are to qualify.

Group B: Oman edge Vietnam

Fri, 25 Mar, 2022

Group B: Oman edge Vietnam

Hanoi: Khalid Al Hajri scored the only goal of the game as Oman defeated Vietnam 1-0 in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ at the My Dinh Stadium on Thursday.

Following a first half of few chances in the Vietnamese capital, it was Branko Ivankovic’s Oman who netted decisively 20 minutes after the restart when Al Hajri headed home a corner from the right.

The win for Oman leaves them comfortably in fourth place in the standings ahead of their Matchday Ten meeting with fifth-placed China PR in Muscat on Tuesday, while bottom side Vietnam will round off their campaign away to Japan.