Skocic happy with resolute IR Iran performance, Marwijk rues UAE's missed opportunity

Wed, 02 Feb, 2022

Skocic happy with resolute IR Iran performance, Marwijk rues UAE's missed opportunity

Tehran: Islamic Republic of Iran head coach Dragan Skocic was happy with his side’s 1-0 home win against United Arab Emirates in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar on Tuesday.

Mehdi Taremi’s late first half strike extended Iran's unbeaten run in the Qualifiers to eight matches although the home team had to dig deep to get the victory after playing nearly the entire second half with 10 men.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/video/asianqualifiers_-_group_a_|_islamic_republic_of_iran_1_-_0_united_arab_emirates.html

Good preparation pays off for Japan, Saudi Arabia look ahead

Wed, 02 Feb, 2022

Good preparation pays off for Japan, Saudi Arabia look ahead

Saitama: Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu said preparation had been key in his side’s 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar as the Samurai Blue moved to within one win of progressing to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Goals from Takumi Minamino and Junya Ito secured Japan’s fifth win in a row and victory over Australia in Sydney on March 24 will guarantee the nation a place at a seventh consecutive FIFA World Cup finals.

Park hails historic victory after Vietnam secure maiden win over China PR

Wed, 02 Feb, 2022

Park hails historic victory after Vietnam secure maiden win over China PR

Hanoi: Vietnam coach Park Hang-seo lauded a milestone moment for Vietnamese and Southeast Asian football after the Golden Star Warriors wrote their name into the history books with a 3-1 win over China PR on Matchday Eight of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar at the My Dinh Stadium on Tuesday.

The Korean tactician not only helmed the side to a first-ever victory over their neighbours, but it also marked a first-ever win at this stage of FIFA World Cup qualifying for a team from Southeast Asia. In 2018, Thailand had also reached the final round, but could only earn two draws. 

Ho Tan Tai opened the scoring inside 10 minutes for the hosts, before Nguyen Tien Linh doubled the advantage just seven minutes later. Substitute Phan Van Duc scored a spectacular third with 14 minutes remaining, before Wu Xi’s consolation for the visitors deep into added time.

500 days to AFC Asian Cup China 2023™

Wed, 02 Feb, 2022

500 days to AFC Asian Cup China 2023™

Kuala Lumpur: February 1, which also heralds the commencement of the Year of the Tiger, marks the 500-day countdown to the AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ with fans eagerly awaiting the continental showpiece.

Twelve teams, together with hosts China PR, have already qualified for the tournament which is to be played from June 16 to July 16, 2023.
 
 Eleven berths remain up for grabs with 24 teams set to jostle for the available places come June this year.