Road to Qatar 2022 & China 2023: How it stands at the halfway point

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Road to Qatar 2022 & China 2023: How it stands at the halfway point

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 reached the midway point following Thursday's Matchday Five.

There has been no shortage of excitement as the Continent's top 40 teams lock horns, with automatic qualification to the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Finals guaranteed for the eight group winners and four best second-placed teams.

That will also seal them a place in the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, while the next 24 best-placed teams will advance to the final stage of qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

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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.

Borkelmans: Jordan didn’t deserve to lose

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Borkelmans: Jordan didn’t deserve to lose

Amman: Jordan's unbeaten run in the Asian Qualifiers may have been ended by Australia but head coach Vital Borkelmans felt the result wasn't a fair reflection of how the match had unfolded.

Adam Taggart's 13th minute effort proved enough for Australia to stretch their winning run to four matches in the race to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 but Borkelmans said had Jordan been sharper with their finishing, the result could have well been different.

The defeat meant Jordan are third in the Group B standings, level on seven points with Kuwait but behind on goal difference. Australia top the group with 12 points.

Big win a boost for Kuwait's hopes, says Enad

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Big win a boost for Kuwait's hopes, says Enad

Kuwait City: Head coach Thamer Enad said Kuwait’s 9-0 win against Chinese Taipei on Thursday has boosted his side’s chances in Group B of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Youssef Naser scored a brace while Fahad Al Ansari, Mubarak Al Faneeni, Bader Al Mutawa, Faisal Zaid, Shabib Al Khaldi and Faisal Ajab scored a goal each with Chinese Taipei’s Chan Wei-chuan adding to the win with an own goal.

The win took Kuwait to seven points and second in the group, ahead of Jordan on goal difference. Jordan suffered a 1-0 defeat to Australia in Group B’s other match on Thursday.

Nishino demands immediate response from Thailand

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Nishino demands immediate response from Thailand

Kuala Lumpur: Head coach Akira Nishino has demanded a more resolute performance from Thailand in their crunch match against Vietnam in Hanoi on Tuesday. 

Thailand suffered their first Asian Qualifiers defeat to Southeast Asian rivals Malaysia on Thursday, making the Vietnam tie even more important.

They are currently second in Group G, three points behind high-flying Vietnam who lead on 10 points following their victory over the United Arab Emirates on Matchday Five in the race to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Vietnam not there yet despite win over UAE, says Park

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vietnam not there yet despite win over UAE, says Park

Hanoi: Head coach Park Hang-seo credited Thursday's 1-0 Asian Qualifiers victory against United Arab Emirates as a team effort but warned that Vietnam still have a long, difficult road ahead.

Nguyen Tien Linh’s super strike was the difference as Vietnam held on for victory at My Dinh Stadium on Thursday to move top of Group E, while the UAE dropped to third place with six points from two wins and two defeats.

Vietnam still have four games left in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualification, and their next match is against regional rivals Thailand in Hanoi on Tuesday.

Search on for Lippi's successor as China PR head coach

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Search on for Lippi's successor as China PR head coach

Kuala Lumpur: The Chinese Football Association (CFA) will begin the search for a new head coach after accepting the resignation of Marcello Lippi following his side’s 2-1 loss against Syria in the Asian Qualifiers on Thursday.

Lippi announced his intention to stand down from the role during the post-match press conference after Zhang Linpeng’s 76th minute own goal handed Syria a fourth win in a row to leave China PR’s hopes of advancing to the next round in jeopardy.