UAE v Australia: 6 players to watch out for during the Asian Playoff

Fri, 03 Jun, 2022

UAE v Australia: 6 players to watch out for during the Asian Playoff

Doha: With the clock ticking down to the kick-off of the AFC Asian Qualifiers Road to Qatar Playoff between the United Arab Emirates and Australia, the excitement and anticipation from both sets of fans are starting to reach fever pitch.

Here are six players to watch out for as Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side clash against Graham Arnold’s team in Al Rayyan on June 7.

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Asian Playoffs: 4 Classic Encounters

Thu, 02 Jun, 2022

Asian Playoffs: 4 Classic Encounters

Kuala Lumpur: With Australia and the United Arab Emirates set to face off in the AFC Asian Qualifiers Road to Qatar Playoff on June 7, we recall some of the most memorable encounters when the continent’s sides have gone head-to-head with FIFA World Cup™ qualification on the line.

From Japan reaching the global showpiece for the first time to an incredible ending in Riyadh, penalty shootout drama in Tashkent and Syria coming so close to a fairy tale ending, the-AFC.com looks back at four unforgettable Asian Playoffs.

AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers - Know Your Teams: Group A

Thu, 02 Jun, 2022

AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers - Know Your Teams: Group A

Kuwait City: Three sides that competed in Group B of the previous round, find themselves pitted together again in Group A of the third and final round of the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers which get underway on June 8 in the Kuwaiti capital.

Group hosts Kuwait had played alongside Jordan and Nepal in the earlier round, while the trio will be joined by Indonesia for the three matchdays with the winners as well best five runners-up from the six groups, advancing to the Finals.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the four sides ahead of the action kicking off.  

AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers - Know Your Teams: Group B

Thu, 02 Jun, 2022

AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers - Know Your Teams: Group B

Ulaanbaatar: Three of the four teams drawn to face one another in Group B of the final round of 2023 Qualifiers appeared at the most recent edition of the AFC Asian Cup™, so something will have to give when they face off against one another in Ulaanbaatar.

Palestine, the Philippines and Yemen played in the United Arab Emirates in 2019 and all three have made strides forward since, ensuring the battle for the one automatic spot at next year’s tournament will be keenly contested. Hosts Mongolia will be buoyed by home field advantage and should not be written off.

Join the-AFC.com as we review the four teams. 

AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers - Know Your Teams: Group C

Fri, 03 Jun, 2022

AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers - Know Your Teams: Group C

Namangan: Two tournament regulars and two teams that aspire to emulate their success will do battle when Uzbekistan hosts an enticing AFC Asian Cup™ 2023 Final Round Qualifiers Group C from June 8. 

Both the Central Asian group hosts and Thailand come with an impressive pedigree in the continent’s most prestigious football event, while South Asian duo Maldives and Sri Lanka are chasing a ground-breaking first appearance in Asia’s showpiece.

Join the-AFC.com as we run the rule of Group C’s qualification chasing quartet.

Gong satisfied with Vietnam’s display despite late heartbreak

Fri, 03 Jun, 2022

Gong satisfied with Vietnam’s display despite late heartbreak

Tashkent: Vietnam took the lead twice against Thailand in their AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 Group C opener, only for their Southeast Asian rivals to force a dramatic 2-2 draw at the Bunyodkor Stadium on Thursday. 

It was a case of two points dropped as Thailand’s second equaliser was scored in stoppage time but Vietnam head coach Gong Oh-kyun wasn’t too concerned, expressing satisfaction with the fighting spirit and performance of his players. 

Worrawoot, Davis relieved as last gasp draw keeps Thailand in the race

Fri, 03 Jun, 2022

Worrawoot, Davis relieved as last gasp draw keeps Thailand in the race

Tashkent: Head coach Worrawoot Srimaka only had words of praise for his Thailand side’s persistence following their 2-2 draw with Vietnam in their opening AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 tie on Thursday. 

Thailand found themselves trailing just 20 seconds into their Group C match after Phan Tuan Tai stunned the young War Elephants with an incredible strike, forcing Worrawoot to send on Ben Davis midway into the first half, with the Oxford United midfielder equalising just six minutes after coming off the bench. 

Nguyen Van Tung then restored Vietnam’s lead in the second half, only for Suphanat Mueanta to salvage the draw with a stoppage time header. 

Lee pleased with role in Korea Republic victory, Maloney rues Malaysia's defeat

Fri, 03 Jun, 2022

Lee pleased with role in Korea Republic victory, Maloney rues Malaysia's defeat

Tashkent: Lee Kang-in produced a stellar performance to steer Korea Republic to a 4-1 victory over Malaysia in Group C of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 on Thursday.

Lee was the orchestrator in defending champions Korea Republic’s impressive performance as he created the first two goals at the Lokomotiv Stadium.

Korea Republic, who won the tournament for the first time in 2020, lead the standings ahead of Thailand and Vietnam, who settled for a 2-2 draw in Group C’s other fixture on Thursday.