Skocic proud of IR Iran, Katanec expects Iraq to learn after Asian Qualifiers adventure

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Skocic proud of IR Iran, Katanec expects Iraq to learn after Asian Qualifiers adventure

Muharraq: Islamic Republic of Iran head coach Dragan Skocic was proud of his team while Iraq counterpart Srecko Katanec said Iraq should draw lessons from their 1-0 defeat the Central Asian side in their final Asian Qualifiers Group C tie for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 on Tuesday.

Sardar Azmoun's first half goal proved enough for Iran to clinch the three points as they completed a remarkable turnaround to emerge group winners and seal a place in the final round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and confirm their appearance in the AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Despite the defeat, Iraq also advanced to the final round of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifiers as one of the best runners-up teams but Katanec believes his side should have gotten a better result.

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AFC President congratulates Asian teams and hails centralised hosts

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC President congratulates Asian teams and hails centralised hosts

Kuala Lumpur: Following the conclusion of the Asian Qualifiers Preliminary Round 2 matches on Tuesday, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated the Asian teams on securing their places in the final round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar as well as the AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

With 2022 FIFA World Cup host and current Asian champions Qatar clinching their spot as Group E winners, seven other group winners Australia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia, Syria and United Arab Emirates as well as the five best second-placed teams – China PR, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman and Vietnam – have all moved one step closer towards qualifying for the global showpiece.

Line-up for AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round unveiled

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Line-up for AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round unveiled

Kuala Lumpur: With two years to go to Asia’s flagship men’s national team tournament, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has today confirmed the 22 out of 24 teams who have advanced to the AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round.

Following the conclusion of the Preliminary Joint Qualifiers Round 2, 13 participating teams, including AFC Asian Cup 2023 host China PR and FIFA World Cup 2022 host and reigning Asian champions Qatar have sealed their places for the Continental showpiece, which is scheduled to take place from June 16 to July 16, 2023.

Cast finalised for AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar 2022

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Cast finalised for AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar 2022

Kuala Lumpur: The cast for the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar 2022 was confirmed on Tuesday with 12 teams sealing their places in the final round.

Vietnam are the newcomers, as the Southeast Asian side joined 11 teams who have featured at this stage of FIFA World Cup qualifying before.

All 12 teams also confirmed their tickets to the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 by qualifying for the final round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup.

Li Tie thanks Lippi after China PR advance to final round of Asian Qualifiers

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Li Tie thanks Lippi after China PR advance to final round of Asian Qualifiers

Sharjah: Li Tie paid tribute to former head coach Marcello Lippi and hailed his players’ mental strength as China PR secured their place in the final round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Tuesday.

Goals from Zhang Xizhe, Wu Lei and Zhang Yuning earned Li’s side a 3-1 win over Nabil Maaloul’s Group A winners to claim one of the best runners-up berths available in the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar for next year’s Finals.

Australia's Arnold praises players after Asian Qualifiers masterclass

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Australia's Arnold praises players after Asian Qualifiers masterclass

Kuwait City: Head coach Graham Arnold didn't hold back in praising his players after Australia completed Group B of their Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 campaign with a 1-0 win Jordan on Tuesday.

Having already sealed their final place in the final round of the Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar 2022 and their berth in the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 ahead of the match, Australia made it eight wins out of eight under extreme conditions at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium with Harry Souttar scoring his sixth goal in five matches to hand Australia the win.

The result meant Australia cruised into the third stage of qualifying with an unblemished record and an eighth-straight win in a single campaign for the first time.

Kuwait can only improve, says Enad after Asian Qualifiers exit

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Kuwait can only improve, says Enad after Asian Qualifiers exit

Kuwait City: Despite not being able to advance to the final round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, head coach Thamer Enad says Kuwait can only get better.  

Two goals by Yousef Nassef saw Kuwait defeat Chinese Taipei in their final Group B tie on Tuesday to finish second behind Australia. The victory, however, was not enough to earn the West Asians a place in the final round of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifiers.