Akira Nishino determined to take Thailand into third round of Asian Qualifiers

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Akira Nishino determined to take Thailand into third round of Asian Qualifiers

Bangkok: Thailand coach Akira Nishino is focusing his attention on securing wins in their three remaining FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers matches as the War Elephants set their sights on a place in the next phase of the preliminaries.

Nishino’s side currently occupy third position in Group G and are three points behind leaders Vietnam ahead of their meeting with Indonesia in Dubai on Thursday as the Qualifiers resume after an 18-month break due to the ongoing pandemic.

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Asian Qualifiers Group A matches to be staged in the UAE

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asian Qualifiers Group A matches to be staged in the UAE

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirms today that the United Arab Emirates Football Association (UAE FA) has agreed to host the centralised Group A matches of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and AFC Asian Cup China 2023™. 

The remaining seven matches in Group A, which comprises leaders Syria, China PR, Philippines, Maldives and Guam, will be held at the Sharjah Stadium, with the match schedule to be confirmed in the coming days after discussions with the participating teams, taking into consideration their arrival schedules to the UAE.

China PR's Li Tie applauds Wu Lei's performance in Asian Qualifiers win against Guam

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

China PR's Li Tie applauds Wu Lei's performance in Asian Qualifiers win against Guam

Suzhou: Head coach Li Tie praised two-goal striker Wu Lei after the Espanyol striker led China PR to a comfortable 7-0 win over Guam as the two teams resumed their Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 campaigns on Sunday.

Wu Lei scored his side’s opener from the penalty spot before adding his team’s third while Wu Xi, Ai Kesen and Jin Jingdao were also on the scoresheet before A Lan added a late brace to move the Chinese into sole possession of second place in Group A.

Tajikistan’s Alisher Dzhalilov ruled out of Asian Qualifiers

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tajikistan’s Alisher Dzhalilov ruled out of Asian Qualifiers

Dushanbe: Tajikistan’s bid for a place in the Third Round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022  and AFC Asian Cup China 2023has been dealt a blow with playmaker Alisher Dzhalilov ruled out of their final two Group F matches.

The FC Istiklol star – who has played every minute of Tajikistan’s campaign thus far – will miss crucial games against Japan on June 7 and Myanmar on June 15.

While top spot in the group has already been secured by Japan, Tajikistan are fighting with Kyrgyz Republic for the chance to advance as one of the top four second-placed teams, a result which would also secure qualification for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Unlikely cult figure Grant eyes FIFA World Cup after near-tragedy

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Unlikely cult figure Grant eyes FIFA World Cup after near-tragedy

Kuwait City: “Everything went peaceful and quiet under the water. I got ready to just let it happen. I thought, ‘This is it’.” That was how Australia and Sydney FC full-back Rhyan Grant described his near-death experience in 2018 to PlayersVoice.

Wild surf and a freak leg-rope tangle on a protruding pipe saw Grant trapped underwater with no escape seemingly possible, only for the rope to unexpectedly free itself.

Asian Qualifiers: Players on Form

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asian Qualifiers: Players on Form

Kuala Lumpur: More than 18 months since the majority of countries last took part in competitive action, the Asian Qualifiers are set to return on May 28 at eight centralised venues across the continent. 

With the action coming thick and fast over a two-week period during which teams will look to secure a place in the next round of qualifying, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on some of the form players who will be representing their nations.

5 Iconic Asian Qualifiers

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

5 Iconic Asian Qualifiers

Kuala Lumpur: Excitement is building ahead of the return of the Asian Qualifiers in the coming days as the sides continue on the road towards the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup China 2023. 

As fans prepare for the resumption of the second round of qualifying, the-AFC.com winds the clock back to campaigns of years gone by, which have thrown up some of the most memorable matches in Asian football history.