News

Stevanovic proud of Tajikistan’s tenacity

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

Stevanovic proud of Tajikistan’s tenacity

Hisor: Head coach Goran Stevanovic hailed Tajikistan’s collective spirit after his side sealed qualification for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™, stressing that unity and belief proved decisive in a hard-fought campaign.

A tense 1-1 draw against the Philippines in their final Group A qualifying tie at the Hisor Central Stadium on Tuesday sent Tajikistan through, with Sheriddin Boboev’s first-half equaliser securing the crucial point. 

The result saw both teams finishing on 14 points, with Tajikistan advancing with a superior goal difference.

Hudson delighted as Thailand show resilience to qualify

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

Hudson delighted as Thailand show resilience to qualify

Bangkok: Anthony Hudson was a relieved man after Thailand dug deep to overcome Turkmenistan 2-1 to advance to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ following a pulsating tie at Rajamangala Stadium on Tuesday.

Thailand were staring at elimination with the score tied at 1-1 as Turkmenistan held the better head-to-head record having won the reverse fixture 3-1 but Manuel Bihr’s 89th minute goal turned agony into ecstasy for the War Elephants.

AFC President congratulates teams on sealing AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ berths

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

AFC President congratulates teams on sealing AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ berths

Kuala Lumpur: Following a gripping series of matches in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round on Tuesday, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has extended his heartfelt congratulations to the five nations that secured their places for the Continental showpiece, which will be held from January 7 to February 5 next year.

Tajikistan topped Group A on goal difference, whilst Thailand clinched pole position in Group D on the final matchday to join history-makers Singapore, Syria and Vietnam, who had previously confirmed their status in earlier rounds.

Qualifiers - Group E: Syria 5-1 Afghanistan

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

Qualifiers - Group E: Syria 5-1 Afghanistan

Al Ahsa: Syria completed a sterling AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group E campaign with a 5-1 win against Afghanistan on Tuesday.

Having gone into the match with qualification already secured, the victory took Syria to 18 points while Afghanistan finished on two. 

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup.html/photo/group-e-pakistan-v-myanmar-syria-v-afghanistan

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup.html/photo/group-a-maldives-v-timor-leste-tajikistan-v-philippines

Qualifiers - Final Round: MD6 Results & Reports

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

Qualifiers - Final Round: MD6 Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Tajikistan and Thailand booked their tickets to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ after topping their respective groups in the final round of the Qualifiers on Tuesday.

Tajikistan took the Group A top spot after coming from behind to force a 1-1 draw with the Philippines, with the Central Asian side advancing thanks to a superior goal difference.

Thailand left it late in their Group D decider against Turkmenistan, with the Southeast Asian side scoring in the 89th minute to clinch a 2-1 win.

Tajikistan and Thailand join Singapore (Group C), Syria (Group E) and Vietnam (Group F) at the Finals, which will also feature the 18 teams from the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26. The team from Group B, meanwhile, will be decided in June with Lebanon and Yemen to square off for the top spot.

Qualifiers - Group A: Tajikistan 1-1 Philippines

Tue, 31 Mar, 2026

Qualifiers - Group A: Tajikistan 1-1 Philippines

Hisor: Sheriddin Boboev’s first half strike secured Tajikistan a vital 1-1 draw with the Philippines as the Central Asian side booked their spot at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with a top-place finish in Group A of the Final Round of the Qualifiers on Tuesday.

Both sides finished level on 14 points, with Tajikistan advancing due to a superior goal difference as the Philippines suffered the heartbreak of missing out.   

Qualifiers - Group C: India 2-1 Hong Kong, China

Tue, 31 Mar, 2026

Qualifiers - Group C: India 2-1 Hong Kong, China

Kochi: India ended their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group C journey with a 2-1 win over Hong Kong, China on Tuesday.

The victory at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium gave India their first win and took them to five points while Hong Kong, China finished three ahead in second place, with Singapore taking the sole qualifying spot in the group. 

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup.html/photo/group-c-singapore-v-bangladesh-india-v-hong-kong-china

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup.html/photo/group-b-bhutan-v-brunei-darussalam

Qualifiers - Group D: Thailand 2-1 Turkmenistan

Tue, 31 Mar, 2026

Qualifiers - Group D: Thailand 2-1 Turkmenistan

Bangkok: Manuel Bihr’s 89th minute header secured Thailand’s berth at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ as Anthony Hudson’s side eked out a 2-1 win over Turkmenistan in Bangkok on Tuesday to claim top spot in Group D of the Final Round of the Qualifiers.

Bihr nodded home from close range in the dying moments after the Thais had seen Teymur Charyyev cancel out Suphanan Bureerat’s 15th minute opener with a long range strike on the hour mark.

The win takes Thailand into top spot, climbing above a Turkmenistan side that only needed to draw in Rajamangala Stadium to progress after securing a 3-1 win over the Thais in their previous meeting.