Thailand’s Polking hails super-sub Teerasil

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Thailand’s Polking hails super-sub Teerasil

Singapore: Teerasil Dangda came off the bench to devastating effect, helping Thailand secure a 3-1 win over Singapore in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ tie on Tuesday.

Head coach Alexandre Polking waxed lyrical about the evergreen forward who at the age of 35, can still completely change a game - supplying two assists which gave Thailand their first win in Group C.

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Arnold pleased with Australia’s consistency

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Arnold pleased with Australia’s consistency

Kuwait City: Australia head coach Graham Arnold praised his players' winning mentality after their 1-0 win over Palestine in Group I of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ at the Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium on Tuesday. 

Harry Souttar scored the only goal of the game to maintain Australia’s 100 percent record, while Palestine are on one point.

Klinsmann praises potent Korea Republic attack

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Klinsmann praises potent Korea Republic attack

Shenzhen: Jurgen Klinsmann was encouraged by the attacking strength Korea Republic showed in the 3-0 win over China PR in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group C tie on Tuesday.

The Taeguk Warriors garnered eight goals against Myanmar and China PR - taking their haul to 19 goals netted and none conceded in their last five international matches.

It’s a daunting prospect for any team to come up against the likes of Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, Hwang Hee-chan and Cho Gue-sung and Klinsmann is counting on them to continue delivering, starting with the fast approaching AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

Andersen satisfied, Orazov frustrated

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Andersen satisfied, Orazov frustrated

Hong Kong: Head coach Jorn Andersen declared Hong Kong, China's performance in their 2-2 draw with Turkmenistan on Tuesday the best since he took over at the team’s helm almost two years ago.

The home side twice fought back from going behind to goals from Kitchee winger Ruslan Mingazow to claim their first point of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ clash at Hong Kong Stadium.
 
Wong Wai cancelled out Mingazow’s fourth minute opener before Everton Camargo equalised again in the 66th minute to earn the Norwegian’s team a point from an end-to-end encounter that could have been won by either side in the dying minutes.

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.

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. 

Penalty heartbreak for IR Iran

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Penalty heartbreak for IR Iran

Surabaya: Morocco scored a stoppage-time equaliser then beat Islamic Republic of Iran in a penalty shootout to secure a place in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023 quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Iran's Hesam Nafari missed from the spot before Morocco goalkeeper Taha Benrhozil saved a twice-taken kick from Kasra Taheri. That gave Fouad Zahouani the chance to win it for the Atlas Cubs – and he duly smashed his penalty home.
 
Esmaeil Gholizadeh’s superb second-half header looked to have sent Iran through but a powerful volley from Nassim Azaouzi sent the game to penalties.

Skorza to leave Urawa

Tue, 21 Nov, 2023

Skorza to leave Urawa

Saitama: Urawa Red Diamonds have announced that head coach Maciej Skorza will leave the club at the end of the current season, less than a year after leading the J1 League side to their third AFC Champions League title.

Skorza was appointed ahead of the current season and steered Urawa to a 2-1 aggregate victory over Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia over two legs in the final in May having replaced Spain’s Ricardo Rodriguez at the helm.

China PR part ways with Shui Qingxia

Tue, 21 Nov, 2023

China PR part ways with Shui Qingxia

Beijing: Chinese Football Association (CFA) announced on Monday the departure of women’s national team head coach Shui Qingxia.

An interim coach will be appointed to oversee China PR’s upcoming two friendly matches in the United States in December.