Saudi Arabia’s Renard hails Al Owais after win over Japan

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Saudi Arabia’s Renard hails Al Owais after win over Japan

Jeddah: Saudi Arabia national team head coach Herve Renard praised the impressive performance of his goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais in their 1-0 win against Japan on Thursday.

Al Owais denied Japan at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium before second half substitute Firas Al Buraikan scored the winning goal on Matchday Three of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar.

The result meant Saudi Arabia have a perfect record of three wins while Japan suffered their second defeat in Group B.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/video/asianqualifiers_-_group_b_|_saudi_arabia_1_-_0_japan.html

Shin Tae-yong demands more from Indonesia after Chinese Taipei win

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Shin Tae-yong demands more from Indonesia after Chinese Taipei win

Buriram: Despite Indonesia registering their first win under his guidance, head coach Shin Tae-yong was not totally satisfied with his team’s performance in their 2-1 victory over Chinese Taipei in the first leg of their AFC Asian Cup China 2023 playoff at the Buriram Stadium on Thursday.

Indonesia were dominant throughout the contest with goals by debutant Ramai Rumakiek and captain Evan Dimas but their good work was undone almost at the very end as Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Heng-pin pulled one back to leave the return leg tantalisingly poised..

The win ended Shin’s long wait for a victory as Indonesia’s head coach, having taken over in 2019, and also put his side one step closer to advancing to the final round of the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifiers.

Ivanković: Inexperience cost Oman defeat to Australia

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Ivanković: Inexperience cost Oman defeat to Australia

Doha: Oman head coach Branko Ivanković identified a lack of big-match experience as a factor in their 3-1 defeat at the hands of Australia in Thursday’s AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar clash at Khalifa International Stadium.

Oman asked plenty of questions of the Australians in the first half as Al Mandhar Al Alawi scored to cancel out Awer Mabil’s thumping opener, but second half goals by Martin Boyle and Mitch Duke steered the Socceroos to their third consecutive win in Group B, and their 11th in their Qatar 2022 qualifying campaign.

Van Marwijk vows UAE will soldier on, Skočić delighted with IR Iran's resilience

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Van Marwijk vows UAE will soldier on, Skočić delighted with IR Iran's resilience

Dubai: United Arab Emirates boss Bert van Marwijk urged his players to keep fighting after they suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Islamic Republic of Iran in their latest AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar clash on Thursday.

While solitary Mehdi Taremi goal in the 70th minute took Team Melli a step closer to a return to the FIFA World Cup, UAE now find themselves seven points behind the group leaders and five adrift of second placed Korea Republic after three of 10 matches.

Win against Vietnam perfect boost for China PR, says Li Tie

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Win against Vietnam perfect boost for China PR, says Li Tie

Sharjah: Li Tie is hoping China PR’s dramatic victory over Vietnam will give his side a much-needed boost after Wu Lei’s stoppage time goal earned his team a 3-2 victory over Park Hang-seo’s spirited side in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar in Sharjah on Thursday.

The Chinese held a two-goal lead with 15 minutes remaining after efforts from Zhang Yuning and Wu, but Ho Tan Hai and Nguyen Hoang Duc struck in the final 10 minutes as the Southeast Asians seemed set to secure an unlikely point.

But Wu swept home Wang Shenchao’s cross from the left in the fifth minute of added time to restore China’s advantage to break Vietnamese hearts and give his team their first win in the current round of preliminaries.

Bento: Korea Republic should have closed out game against Syria earlier

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Bento: Korea Republic should have closed out game against Syria earlier

Ansan: Paulo Bento has rued Korea Republic's missed opportunities despite the Taeguk Warriors scoring late to secure a 2-1 victory over Syria in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar on Thursday. 

The East Asians had almost complete control of the first half but failed to find the opening goal as Song Min-kyu headed onto the crossbar and, incredibly, Hwang Hee-chan was off target with three gilt-edged opportunities as Korea's problems in front of goal continued.

Hwang In-beom's effort from distance ultimately broke the deadlock early in the second half but it appeared Bento's side were going to be punished for their profligacy when the 2017 AFC Player of the Year Omar Khribin stunned the hosts by firing home an equaliser with just six minutes to play.

Advocaat rues Iraq’s missed opportunity, Hasek pleased with Lebanon’s progress

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Advocaat rues Iraq’s missed opportunity, Hasek pleased with Lebanon’s progress

Doha: Head coach Dick Advocaat felt it was a case of missed opportunity for Iraq following their 0-0 draw with Lebanon in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar on Thursday.

The result meant both sides are still seeking their first win after three matches but Advocaat said the result at the Khalifa International Stadium in should have favoured his side.

Iraq, Lebanon settle for share of points

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Iraq, Lebanon settle for share of points

Doha: Iraq and Lebanon played out a 0-0 draw at the Khalifa International Stadium on Matchday Three of Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar.

With both sides having not won either of their first two games, they needed a victory to make up for lost ground but a combination of superb goalkeeping and lack of clinical finishing meant they each had to settle for a point.

Late Son strike seals Korea Republic win over Syria

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Late Son strike seals Korea Republic win over Syria

Ansan City: Son Heung-min's goal with just a minute to play helped Korea Republic defeat Syria 2-1 in dramatic fashion in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar at Ansan Wa Stadium on Thursday.

Korea dominated the first half but failed to capitalise on their superiority, with Hwang Hee-chan guilty of wasting three glorious opportunities, before the East Asians did go in front shortly after the interval through Hwang In-beom’s long-range strike.

But the West Asians fought back strongly and levelled proceedings with just six minutes to go when Khribin struck an unstoppable effort into the back of the net, only for Son to break Syrian hearts by striking the winner just minutes later.