Road to Qatar 2022 & China 2023: Five Talking Points

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Road to Qatar 2022 & China 2023: Five Talking Points

Kuala Lumpur: After six rounds of matches, the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 are done and dusted for 2019.

Qualifying action for the two premier competitions will resume on March 26 as the players - depending on where they play their club football - either return to their teams or get some much needed break.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at five talking points at this stage of a thrilling Asian Qualifiers.

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Victory is what matters for Qatar, says Afif

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Victory is what matters for Qatar, says Afif

Dushanbe: Akram Afif said Qatar may not have fired on all cylinders but they achieved their target in the 1-0 away win against Afghanistan in Group E of the Asian Qualifiers on Tuesday.

Afif scored the winning goal from the penalty spot 14 minutes from time as the Asian champions were made to work hard in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualification tie by a resilient Afghanistan at the Republican Central Stadium.

Syria fully deserve top spot, says Ebrahim

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Syria fully deserve top spot, says Ebrahim

Dubai: Head coach Fajr Ebrahim believes Syria’s recent hard work is starting to pay handsome dividends after watching his side record a fifth successive Asian Qualifiers victory thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 win over the Philippines on Tuesday.

Ward Salama’s first-half goal proved the difference at Dubai’s Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium as Syria reinforced their position at the top of the Group A standings by going eight points clear of second-placed China PR.

With progress through to the next phase of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying – and a place at the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 – now tantalisingly close, Ebrahim is adamant that Syria fully deserve to be where they are.

Hey delighted as Myanmar get back on track

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Hey delighted as Myanmar get back on track

Mandalay: Myanmar enjoyed a fantastic week, as the Southeast Asians recorded back-to-back wins in Group F of the Asian Qualifiers to place themselves back in contention for a top two finish.

Myanmar followed up Thursday's 4-3 win over Tajikistan with a 1-0 defeat of Mongolia on Tuesday to revive their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifying campaign.

The wins, which followed three consecutive defeats, have to be credited to head coach Antoine Hey, who has steadied the ship after replacing Miodrag Radulovic at the helm last month.

Van Marwijk: UAE will bounce back from setbacks

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Van Marwijk: UAE will bounce back from setbacks

Dubai: Head coach Bert van Marwijk has no doubt that United Arab Emirates will get their Asian Qualifiers campaign for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 back on track.

UAE suffered a 1-0 defeat to Vietnam in Hanoi on Thursday, on the back of a 2-1 loss to Thailand in October to leave the AFC Asian Cup 2019 semi-finalists third in Group G.

Vietnam lead the standings on 10 points, with Thailand second on seven and the UAE third on six and only ahead of Malaysia on goal difference after four matches.

Renard praises Saudi Arabia talent after win in Uzbekistan

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Renard praises Saudi Arabia talent after win in Uzbekistan

Tashkent: Head coach Hervé Renard has praised both the dedication and talent of his Saudi Arabia players after they twice came from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-2 in Group D of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

At a typically atmospheric Pakhtakor Stadium in Tashkent, home favourite Eldor Shomurodov gave Uzbekistan the lead on 16 minutes, only to see Salman Al Faraj restore parity from the spot shortly after.

Uzbekistan went ahead for a second time in the 56th minute courtesy of an Otabek Shukurov penalty, before Al Faraj scored his second goal on the night with five minutes remaining and Salem Al Dawsari netted a late winner as Saudi Arabia claimed their second win of the Asian Qualifiers.

Son, Hwang apologise for Lebanon stalemate

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Son, Hwang apologise for Lebanon stalemate

Beirut: Captain Son Heung-min and forward Hwang Ui-jo have apologised for not putting their chances away after Korea Republic were held to a 0-0 draw by Lebanon in their Asian Qualifiers Group H match on Thursday.

It was the East Asians second draw, having been held 0-0 by DPR Korea in Pyongyang last month, but Son and Hwang admitted that the Taeguk Warriors should have taken full points against Lebanon.