Pots, possibilities and history: Asia’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ draw previewed in full

Thu, 31 Mar, 2022

Pots, possibilities and history: Asia’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ draw previewed in full

Doha: Five Asian teams will discover their group stage opponents when Doha plays to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Final Draw on Friday.

After almost three years of AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ fixtures, Islamic Republic of Iran, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia and Japan have all secured their places at the Finals alongside Asian champions Qatar, who qualified automatically as hosts.
 
As we count down to one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the global football calendar, we look at the World Cup history and draw permutations for all five of Asia’s qualified teams, all of whom will be eager to leave their mark in 2022.

Renard eyes big support in Qatar, Arnold calls for Australians to admire Saudi football

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Renard eyes big support in Qatar, Arnold calls for Australians to admire Saudi football

Jeddah: Saudi Arabia head coach Herve Renard revelled in the glory of qualifying to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as Group B leaders as 50,000 fans celebrated following the Green Falcons’ 1-0 win against Australia at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Tuesday.

Salem Al Dawsari’s penalty five minutes after the hour-mark brought Saudi Arabia back to the summit of their group of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ following Japan’s 1-1 home draw against Vietnam earlier on the day.

A sixth appearance at the FIFA World Cup for Saudi Arabia was achieved emphatically with just one defeat along the way, a 2-0 reversal in Japan on Matchday Eight, and the result marked a second consecutive successful qualification for Renard who had led Morocco to Russia 2018.

Hašek concedes IR Iran the better side as Lebanon bow out

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Hašek concedes IR Iran the better side as Lebanon bow out

Mashhad: Ivan Hašek conceded FIFA World Cup-bound Islamic Republic of Iran are a superior outfit to his Lebanon side, who saw their own AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ hopes dashed in a 2-0 defeat on Tuesday.

Goals from Sardar Azmoun and Alireza Jahanbakhsh put paid to the Cedars’ hopes of reaching June’s AFC playoff, although UAE’s later victory over Korea Republic meant even a Lebanese win on the night wouldn’t have helped them pull off the miracle turnaround required to extend their campaign.
 
While they came into the match at Imam Reza Stadium with full of hope, Lebanon’s defeat meant they slipped to last place in Group A, with their final tally of six points from 10 matches illustrative of a campaign which slipped away in the final two matches.

Victory over Korea Republic just the start, says UAE’s Arruabarrena

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Victory over Korea Republic just the start, says UAE’s Arruabarrena

Dubai: United Arab Emirates national team head coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena said that his side’s 1-0 win against Korea Republic should be considered a mere starting point on a road which could ultimately lead the West Asian nation to their first FIFA World Cup since 1990. 

A second half goal from Harib Abdalla steered Arruebarrena’s side to a much-needed win, securing third place in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ and a single-leg AFC playoff against Australia in June.
 
The winners of the AFC playoff will then meet the fifth placed side from CONMEBOL qualifying for a berth at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.

Park hails ‘great’ Vietnam result, Moriyasu looks to the future

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Park hails ‘great’ Vietnam result, Moriyasu looks to the future

Saitama: Park Hang-seo was full of praise for his Vietnam side as they rounded off their AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ Group B campaign with a historic 1-1 draw against Japan at Saitama Stadium on Tuesday. 

Nguyen Thanh Binh gave the Golden Star Warriors a surprise lead in the 19th minute before Japan equalised through Maya Yoshida nine minutes after the interval but, despite wave after wave of Japanese attacks and two disallowed goals, Vietnam held out for a memorable point.

While the Southeast Asians ultimately finished bottom of the standings in what was their maiden appearance in the final round of AFC Asian Qualifiers, the hard-fought draw was the first time they had avoided defeat against the Samurai Blue and their first point away from home in Group B. 

Ivankovic pleased with Oman's overall performance

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Ivankovic pleased with Oman's overall performance

Muscat: Coach Branko Ivankovic praised his team’s performance as Oman completed their commitments in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ on a high with a 2-0 win over China PR in Muscat on Tuesday.

Goals from Arshad Al Alawi and Abdullah Fawaz earned the Omanis victory over the Chinese as the West nation confirmed themselves as fourth place finishers in Group B, behind Saudi Arabia, Japan and Australia.

The win was Oman’s fourth in 10 games and saw Ivankovic’s side finish just one point behind the third placed Socceroos.

Early goal ruined our plans, says Iraq’s Shahad

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Early goal ruined our plans, says Iraq’s Shahad

Dubai: Iraq head coach Abdul Ghani Shahad said his team was affected by the early goal they conceded in their 1-1 draw against Syria in their final Group A match of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ on Tuesday.

The result ended Iraq’s hopes of qualification to the FIFA World Cup Finals for the second time in their history after the UAE defeated Korea Republic 1-0 to book the playoff spot from the group.

AFC Executive Committee outlines ambitions to further elevate elite club football

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

AFC Executive Committee outlines ambitions to further elevate elite club football

Doha:  The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s determination to usher a new era of elite club football in Asia was further emphasised by the AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa at the 9th AFC Executive Committee meeting held today.

 Just one month after the AFC Executive Committee approved several key strategic reforms aimed at ensuring the continued success of the AFC Club Competitions, the AFC President outlined plans to further strengthen the intensity, value, consumption and stature of elite club football – all with the aim of benefitting the AFC’s Member Associations (MAs), Participating Teams and the Continent’s passionate fans.