Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Guam: Maldives got their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers second round campaign off to a positive start, defeating Guam 1-0 in Group A on Thursday.
Maldives dominated the early proceedings and went ahead just before the half-hour mark at the GFA Stadium through Ibrahim Mahudhee's strike.
Guam, who overcame a one-goal first leg deficit to defeat Bhutan 5-1 in the first round of the Asian Qualifiers, could not find their way back into game in the second half as Maldives secured three valuable points.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Matchday 1 of the second round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 saw 16 matches being played across the Continent on Thursday.
It was a day of high quality action as 32 of the 40 teams involved in this phase of the Asian Qualifiers got their campaigns underway.
The teams now have a four-day break before Matchday 2 on Tuesday, which will see Australia, China PR, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia kicking off their campaigns.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Guangzhou: Two-time AFC Champions League winner Elkeson believes his experience scoring goals against the Continent’s best for Guangzhou Evergrande and Shanghai SIPG can help push China PR towards the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Finals after the Brazil-born striker secured Chinese citizenship last month.
The 30-year-old has been included in Marcello Lippi’s squad for their upcoming Asian Qualifiers tie against the Maldives on Tuesday after being granted citizenship, becoming the first player without Chinese heritage to be selected to play for the country.
And after helping Guangzhou win the AFC Champions League title in 2013 and 2015 while also claiming four Chinese Super League titles – three with Guangzhou and one with Shanghai – he is confident he can boost China’s FIFA World Cup qualification hopes.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tokyo: Head coach Hajime Moriyasu will not be underestimating Japan’s opposition in Round 2 of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 when the Samurai Blue launch their quest against Myanmar on September 10.
Moriyasu’s side are the top seeds in Group F and travel to Yangon to take on the Southeast Asian nation in their second round opener with the Japan coach sounding a note of caution to his players.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Guam and the Philippines will be aiming for winning starts when they begin their respective FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers' campaigns on Thursday.
Guam face Maldives in the opening match of the second round of the Asian Qualifiers while Philippines will face Syria later in the day.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: As coaches announce their national team squads ahead of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, the eight AFC Champions League quarter-finalists are sending 45 players on the first steps along the road to Qatar 2022 and China 2023.
With the first leg of the 2019 AFC Champions League quarter-finals already concluded and the international break descending to bring respite to club football, eyes of Asian football fans turn to the intriguing opening rounds of the Asian Qualifiers to be played on Thursday and Tuesday.
Fans of the AFC Champions League quarter-finalists will have one eye on their respective club players looking to star at national team level. A total of 45 players will be representing six of the eight sides, with none coming from the two J.League clubs, Kashima Antlers and Urawa Red Diamonds.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: History will be made in Pyongyang on October 15 when Korea Republic travel to face DPR Korea in their Asian Qualifiers tie for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 as the neighbouring rivals meet on the pitch in a competitive fixture in the northern nation for the first time.
The encounter – the first of two in Group H featuring the Koreans, with the second in Seoul on June 4, 2020 – headlines the second round of qualifying for the two tournaments that has thrown up an array of fascinating clashes that will often see traditional rivals go head-to-head for a berth in the next round of the campaign for places in Qatar and China PR.