Bert van Marwijk names strong UAE squad for IR Iran, Iraq ties

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Bert van Marwijk names strong UAE squad for IR Iran, Iraq ties

Dubai: UAE national team head coach Bert van Marwijk has named a 28-player squad for the upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar matches against Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq.

The Dutch head coach made several changes to the squad that played to draws with Lebanon and Syria in their first two Group A matches in September.

AO Tanaka included in Japan's squad for AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar challenge

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AO Tanaka included in Japan's squad for AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar challenge

Tokyo: Midfielder Ao Tanaka has been recalled to the Japan squad for next month’s meetings with Saudi Arabia and Japan in the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar.

The former Kawasaki Frontale player was a key member of Japan’s Olympic team as Hajime Moriyasu led the country to the semi-finals of the tournament on home soil, but he was not selected for the Asian Qualifiers' ties against Oman and China PR last month.
 
The Japanese lost their opening game against the Omanis before handing Li Tie’s team a 1-0 defeat in Doha to sit in fourth place in Group B with three points from their first two matches.
 

Jeonbuk's Song Bum-keun earns first call up to Korea Republic squad for AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Jeonbuk's Song Bum-keun earns first call up to Korea Republic squad for AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar

Seoul: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors goalkeeper Song Bum-keun has earned his first call up for Korea Republic as he joins a returning Son Heung-min in Paulo Bento’s squad for the upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar matches against Syria and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Song, who helped his club reach the quarter-finals of the 2021 AFC Champions League earlier this month, is the only uncapped player in the 27-man squad selected by Bento for the games on October 7 and October 12.

Tottenham’s Son returns to the squad after pulling out of the game against Lebanon on September 7 having aggravating a calf injury during the 0-0 draw with Iraq in their opening game of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar at Seoul World Cup Stadium.

Oman beat Nepal in friendly to kick off preparation for AFC Asian Qualifiers

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Oman beat Nepal in friendly to kick off preparation for AFC Asian Qualifiers

Doha: Oman registered an impressive 7-2 win against Nepal in an international friendly match at the Qatar University Pitch on Sunday.

Oman are preparing for their next two matches in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar,  Australia on October 7 and Vietnam five days later.

Kubo a doubt for Japan's upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar ties

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Kubo a doubt for Japan's upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar ties

Mallorca: Japan playmaker Takefusa Kubo is a major doubt for his nation’s upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar meetings with Saudi Arabia and Australia after injuring his knee playing for Real Mallorca.

The 20-year-old, who is on loan at Mallorca from Real Madrid, has already established himself as a key player in Hajime Moriyasu’s side as the Samurai Blue look to secure a place at the FIFA World Cup Finals for the seventh straight time.

Vote for your AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar Player of the Week

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vote for your AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar Player of the Week

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar Final Round has well and truly begun, with shock results, moments of inspiration and a handful of outstanding individual performances.

We’ve hand-picked 10 of the very best performers from the opening two Matchdays, with creators, conductors, scorers and shot stoppers all represented in our selection.

Who was the best player in the September window on the Road to Qatar? Study our contenders and don’t forget to cast your vote.

Five Takeaways from the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar Matchday Two

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Five Takeaways from the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar Matchday Two

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar continued on Tuesday with six matches across the two groups to conclude the first window of games and there was plenty of action to dissect.

Islamic Republic of Iran go into the next window in October as Group A leaders, two points ahead of Korea Republic, while it is neck and neck in Group B with both Australia and Saudi Arabia getting off to a perfect start to lead with six points each. the-AFC.com reflects on some of the key takeaways from Tuesday’s action.