Round 2 - MD2: 5 things we learned

Thu, 23 Nov, 2023

Round 2 - MD2: 5 things we learned

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Two of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ saw exciting action, comebacks and upsets.

With the qualifying action to resume in March, attention now turns to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ with 24 of the 36 teams competing in Round 2 of the qualifiers to contest for the coveted trophy.
 
Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at five things we learned from Matchday Two.

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Round 2 - MD2: Results & Reports

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Round 2 - MD2: Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Two of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ concluded on Tuesday with another round of exciting action across the continent.

Korea Republic, seeking to qualify for an 11th consecutive FIFA World Cup, registered a crucial win by defeating China PR away while there were also victories for Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar while Islamic Republic of Iran had to settle for draw with Uzbekistan. 
 
The qualifiers will return in March 2024, with the nine group winners and their respective runners-up to advance to the third round of FIFA World Cup qualifying, and at the same time seal their places at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.

Stay updated on all of Tuesday's reaction with the-AFC.com. 

Malaysia aim to impress

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Malaysia aim to impress

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's return to the AFC Asian Cup™ for the first time since they co-hosted the 2007 edition couldn't have resulted in a tougher draw - with Korea Republic, Jordan and Bahrain their Group E challengers.

Head coach Kim Pan-gon and his team, however, are relishing the challenge of taking on three sides who are all ranked way above the Southeast Asian side.

Uzbekistan showed character against IR Iran, says Katanec

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Uzbekistan showed character against IR Iran, says Katanec

Tashkent: Head coach Srecko Katanec was brimming with pride after seeing Uzbekistan overturn a two-goal deficit to hold Islamic Republic of Iran to a 2-2 draw in Group E of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Tuesday.

The result left the two teams level on points heading into the next matchday scheduled for March, 2024.

Oman's Ivankovic laments poor finishing

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Oman's Ivankovic laments poor finishing

Bishkek: Oman paid a heavy price for their poor finishing as Kyrgyz Republic took the points in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group D tie on Tuesday.

Odilzhon Abdurakhmanov scored the only goal of the game in the 49th minute as Kyrgyz Republic bounced back from their 4-3 defeat to Malaysia on Matchday One in resounding fashion.

Mancini expects Saudi Arabia to get even better

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Mancini expects Saudi Arabia to get even better

Amman: Saudi Arabia produced another classy performance to defeat Jordan 2-0 on Tuesday with head coach Roberto Mancini expecting his side to get even better. 

Saleh Al Shehri scored both goals as Saudi Arabia moved to six points in Group G of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.
 
They sit two points ahead of Tajikistan with Jordan five adrift in third place.   

Focused Qatar reap dividends

Fri, 24 Nov, 2023

Focused Qatar reap dividends

Bhubaneswar: Qatar's focus was the key to their 3-0 win over India in Group A of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Tuesday.

Head coach Carlos Queiroz said his side maintained their concentration for the entire match as Qatar made it two wins out of two to open a three-point gap at the top of the standings.