AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar Preview: IR Iran v Iraq

Wed, 26 Jan, 2022

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar Preview: IR Iran v Iraq

Tehran: Islamic Republic of Iran could celebrate qualification to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Thursday if they beat neighbours Iraq when the two sides lock horns at Azadi Stadium in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar. 

Unbeaten in Group A, hosts IR Iran lead the group with 16 points, two ahead of second placed Korea Republic and a whole 10 points clear of the UAE in third. Meanwhile, Iraq are yet to celebrate their first win in the group, and languish in fifth place with four points.

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar Preview: Lebanon v Korea Republic

Wed, 26 Jan, 2022

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar Preview: Lebanon v Korea Republic

Saida: Lebanon head coach Ivan Hasek is confident his side can bounce back from two heart-breaking late losses in November’s matches in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar when they take on Korea Republic at Saida Municipal Stadium on Thursday.

Injury-time goals from Sardar Azmoun and Ahmad Nourollahi earned the Islamic Republic of Iran a dramatic 2-1 win over the Lebanese before an 85th minute penalty from Ali Mabkhout saw Hasek’s side lose to the United Arab Emirates five days later.

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar Preview: UAE v Syria

Wed, 26 Jan, 2022

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar Preview: UAE v Syria

Dubai: The UAE aspire to tighten their grip on third place in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar when they welcome Syria to Al Maktoum Stadium on Matchday Seven on Thursday.

A mixed campaign for head coach Bert van Marwijk’s men saw them start with three draws in their first four fixtures before falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Korea Republic and bouncing back with their first win of the group away at Lebanon thanks to a late Ali Mabkhout penalty to put them third with six points.

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar Preview: Australia v Vietnam

Wed, 26 Jan, 2022

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar Preview: Australia v Vietnam

Melbourne: Australia will look to get back to winning ways in their AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar campaign when they host Group B’s bottom side Vietnam at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Thursday. 

The Socceroos go into the Matchday Seven encounter in third place in the standings, behind pacesetters Saudi Arabia and second-placed Japan, and on the back of three games without a win, while Vietnam are still seeking their first points after losing all six of their matches to date. 

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar Preview: Japan v China PR

Thu, 27 Jan, 2022

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar Preview: Japan v China PR

Saitama: Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu will be forced to reconfigure the defence for his side’s clash with China PR in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar on Thursday following the loss of regular centre-half pairing Takehiro Tomiyasu and Maya Yoshida due to injury.

Sampdoria defender Yoshida was not included in the squad selected by Moriyasu while Arsenal’s Tomiyasu withdrew after failing to recover from a hamstring injury sustained during his club’s League Cup loss to Liverpool last Thursday.

AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar Preview: Saudi Arabia v Oman

Wed, 26 Jan, 2022

AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar Preview: Saudi Arabia v Oman

Jeddah: Group B leaders Saudi Arabia will aim to extend their unbeaten run in the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar when they welcome Oman to King Abdullah Sports City Stadium for the Matchday Seven fixture on Thursday.

The Green Falcons sit atop the group with 16 points from six games, dropping just two points against Australia in Sydney but despite the stellar run, they have struggled at times, with three of their wins being 1-0 scores and having survived a scare in their 3-2 home win against China PR who looked on course for a comeback. 

Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia have a four-point cushion on Japan in second place, whom they play next week.

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar: Players on Form

Tue, 25 Jan, 2022

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar: Players on Form

Kuala Lumpur: With the first set of AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar fixtures of 2022 set to take place in the coming days, we take a look at the players who have been turning on the style for their club sides in recent weeks. 

The stakes could barely be any higher ahead of Matchdays Seven and Eight, when three of the four automatic places at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar could be confirmed. Here's eight stars to keep an eye out for. 

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar: How Group A stands

Mon, 24 Jan, 2022

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar: How Group A stands

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar campaign has reached the business end of proceedings as the sides get set for their crucial Matchday Seven and Eight encounters in the week ahead. 

In Group A, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Korea Republic are way out in front and could guarantee their progression to the FIFA World Cup with several games to spare. Below them, the four sides look set to battle it out for third place. 

With the upcoming games to be held on January 27 and February 1, the-AFC.com looks at the state of play ahead of what is sure to be a crunch set of double-headers. 

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar: How Group B stands

Mon, 24 Jan, 2022

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar: How Group B stands

Kuala Lumpur: Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar campaign looks set to go down to the wire as three teams appear likely to fight it out for the two automatic places at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. 

Saudi Arabia have a commanding lead with Japan and Australia aiming to push them all the way, while Oman and China PR haven’t given up hope of a third-place finish. 

Ahead of the Matchday Seven and Eight encounters on January 27 and February 1, the-AFC.com looks at how things stand with four games remaining.