Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Seoul: Head coach Paulo Bento has announced the 23-man Korea Republic squad for the next round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 on November 14.
Korea Republic will play Lebanon in Beirut in a Group H tie, which will be followed by a friendly against five-time FIFA World Cup winners Brazil five days later in Abu Dhabi.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Amman: In two weeks’ time, Jordan will face the biggest challenge thus far of their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers campaign when they host Australia, their main rivals in the race to secure Group B’s automatic qualifying berth for the final group stage.
The Socceroos currently top the section with nine points, with the Al Nshama following closely behind on seven, making a victory for Jordan essential if they are to stand a realistic chance of topping the group.
Though Jordan will not be lacking in determination, their fans know that much will depend on the performance of their three forwards: Musa Al Omari, Yaseen al Bakhit, and Baha’ Faisal.
This is especially true of the latter, who plays an important role tactically but knows that his main job is to score goals.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riyadh: After more than a decade in Africa, where he enjoyed very successful stints in Zambia, Côte d'Ivoire and Morocco, winning the CAF Africa Cup of Nations title twice and qualifying for the FIFA World Cup, French coach Herve Renard decided to switch continents. His new destination is Asia, where he headed in July to take up the coaching reins of Saudi Arabia.
Despite a busy schedule and having little time to prepare for the ongoing Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, the coach took time out to talk exclusively to FIFA.com. “It was time for a new challenge, and I hope I’ll succeed in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
During the interview, the 51-year-old Frenchman discussed, among other things, his objectives with the Saudi national team, his memories of more than a decade in Africa, and why he likes to have a good relationship with his players wherever he goes.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran dropped four spots down to 27th in the latest FIFA Men's Ranking, but still retain their spot as the Continent's top team.
Japan climbed three positions up to 28th spot, followed by Korea Republic, who fell two rungs down to 39th.
Australia's position remained unchanged at 44th, while Qatar were one of the biggest movers, surging five spots up to 57th to complete Asia's top five.
Iraq and Thailand also moved five spots up to 74th and 109th respectively after convincing performances in the recent Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.
The preliminary joint qualifying action resumes on November 15.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Yangon: Antoine Hey will return as Myanmar head coach, taking the reins for a second time after the Myanmar Football Federation confirmed the departure of Miodrag Radulović on Sunday.
Hey’s appointment, announced in tandem with Radulović’s exit, sees him reclaim the position he held from May to December 2018.
The German boss is tasked with rescuing Myanmar’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers campaign, which has produced three defeats from as many matches.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Incheon: Korea Republic head coach Paulo Bento believes his side didn't play to their potential in their Asian Qualifiers Group H tie against DPR Korea on Tuesday.
Korea Republic and DPR Korea played to a goalless draw in Pyongyang, leaving them both on seven points in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: If Matchday Three of the Asian Qualifiers was about goalscoring heroes, Matchday Four had upsets, shut-outs, strikers who just can't stop finding the back of the net and more.
As the players head back to their clubs and the national team head coaches start planning for the November International Window - when two more Matchdays will be held - the-AFC.com picks five takeways from Tuesday.