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.

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Uzbekistan stun England to reach last eight

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Uzbekistan stun England to reach last eight

Jakarta: Uzbekistan captain Lazizbek Mirzaev's stunning free-kick earned his team a sensational FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023 victory over England in their Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

The 2-1 win means the Central Asian side will face France or Senegal in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

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. 

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.

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™.

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.

Ali's return a boost for Iraq

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Ali's return a boost for Iraq

Hanoi: Head coach Jesus Casas applauded Mohanad Ali as the forward marked his return to the Iraq national team after a two-year absence with the winning goal against Vietnam on Tuesday.

Ali, who came on in the 61st minute, scored the only goal of the match in the seventh minute of added time as Iraq took a firm grip on the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group F standings.