Renard announces Saudi Arabia squad for Group D campaign

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Renard announces Saudi Arabia squad for Group D campaign

Riyadh:Head coach Herve Renard has named his first Saudi Arabia squad as the West Asians get set to begin their Asian Qualifiers campaign for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Renard, appointed in July, has been tasked with ensuring Saudi Arabia qualify for their second successive FIFA World Cup and sixth overall.

They will also be chasing a fourth AFC Asian Cup title after their UAE 2019 campaign ended in the group stage.

Renard: Qualification is a must for Saudi Arabia

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Renard: Qualification is a must for Saudi Arabia

Jeddah: Saudi Arabia will respect their opponents but their target, head coach Herve Renard has stressed, is qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.

That is the target the Frenchman has been set by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and it is one that he is relishing.

Opening win will set us up nicely, says Uzbekistan's Cuper

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Opening win will set us up nicely, says Uzbekistan's Cuper

Kuala Lumpur: Uzbekistan coach Hector Cuper is hoping his side can kick off their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers campaign with a win over Palestine on Thursday to set the tone for the Central Asian side's challenge.

Uzbekistan have established themselves among the upper echelon of Asian football but have yet to represent the Continent on the game’s greatest stage and Cuper – who led Egypt to the FIFA World Cup in Russia in 2018 – is determined to make a strong start to their challenge later this week.

Sanchez names strong Qatar squad

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Sanchez names strong Qatar squad

Doha: Head coach Felix Sanchez has gone for power by selecting a strong Qatar squad for Round 2 of the Asian Qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Eight months after lifting the AFC Asian Cup for the first time at UAE 2019, Qatar will begin the defence of their title against Afghanistan in Group E of the Asian Qualifiers on Thursday.

Hong Kong's Paatelainen relishing Group C challenge

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Hong Kong's Paatelainen relishing Group C challenge

Kuala Lumpur: Head coach Mixu Paatelainen is hoping he can turn the negative of a difficult draw into a positive for the future of Hong Kong's football when Round 2 of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 begins on Thursday.

Hong Kong will commence their campaign against Cambodia in Phnom Penh before hosting Group C top seeds Islamic Republic of Iran five days later at Hong Kong Stadium in what represents a difficult start to their challenge.

Iraq and Bahrain are also in the group, with the pair meeting in Riffa on Thursday.

UAE in fine form ahead of Malaysia tie

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

UAE in fine form ahead of Malaysia tie

Kuala Lumpur: United Arab Emirates will carry winning form into the Asian Qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 after registering back-to-back victories over Dominican Republic and Sri Lanka in friendlies matches played on Friday and Saturday.

Further good news for head coach Bert van Marwijk, who will be leading the UAE into competitive action for the first time, was the return of UAE talisman Omar Abdulrahman after a long injury lay-off.

Young talents give Arnold confidence

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Young talents give Arnold confidence

Sydney: Australia head coach Graham Arnold is confident the Socceroos will make a positive start to their Asian Qualifiers campaign for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 after a thorough selection process.

Arnold named the 23-strong squad on Friday, with Australia to play Kuwait away in their opening Group B match on September 10.

Arnold’s first Asian Qualifiers selection features a blend of international experience, and will offer further opportunities to numerous players at relatively early stages of their respective senior international careers.