Bento: We could have done better against DPR Korea

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Bento: We could have done better against DPR Korea

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.

Matchday Four: Five Takeaways 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Matchday Four: Five Takeaways 

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.

MD4 - Group H: DPR Korea 0-0 Korea Republic

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

MD4 - Group H: DPR Korea 0-0 Korea Republic

Pyongyang: The first competitive meeting between DPR Korea and Korea Republic in Pyongyang ended in a stalemate, with the two sides playing out a scoreless draw in their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers Group H match at Kim Il Sung Stadium on Tuesday.

Both unbeaten and yet to concede a goal in Group H, the teams emerged with both records still intact, with Korea Republic remaining at the top of the group on goal difference after three matches.

MD4 - Group H: Sri Lanka 0-3 Lebanon

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

MD4 - Group H: Sri Lanka 0-3 Lebanon

Colombo: Lebanon overcame difficult playing conditions at the Colombo Race Course Ground to secure a second successive Asian Qualifiers victory thanks to a 3-0 win over Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

First-half penalties from Hassan Maatouk and Hilal El-Helwe laid the foundations for the success as Liviu Ciobotariu’s charges, fresh from last week’s defeat of Turkmenistan, added yet more impetus to their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers Group H campaign.

The result, which was sealed courtesy of a late El-Helwe strike, leaves Lebanon on six points and occupying third spot in the group standings following second-placed DPR Korea’s 0-0 draw with table-topping Korea Republic earlier in the day.

Australia's Arnold hails impact of Souttar

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Australia's Arnold hails impact of Souttar

Kaohsiung City: Australia head coach Graham Arnold believes Harry Souttar’s incredible start to his international career is only going to get better after the towering defender’s impressive brace over Chinese Taipei in Group B of the Asian Qualifiers on Tuesday.

A week ago the 20-year-old was somewhat of an unknown quantity to Australian fans as he prepared to make his senior international debut.

Now he has been involved in two FIFA World Cup 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifying victories, backing up his debut goal against Nepal in Canberra with a double in Australia’s 7-1 defeat of Chinese Taipei.

Etheridge shows his class in China PR shut-out

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Etheridge shows his class in China PR shut-out

Bacolod City: Neil Etheridge is glad to have played his part as Philippines held China PR to a 0-0 draw in their Asian Qualifiers Group A tie on Tuesday.

Marcello Lippi's men came into the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifying tie as firm favourites - having plundered 12 goals without reply in their earlier two matches - but found Etheridge-inspired Philippines impossible to crack.

The point is a boost to the Azkals qualifying hopes, having opened their campaign with a 5-2 defeat to Syria before rebounding to beat Guam 4-1 in the September fixtures, taking them to third in the group standings.

Bahrain deserved the win, says matchwinner Al Hardan

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Bahrain deserved the win, says matchwinner Al Hardan

Manama: Bahrain matchwinner Mohamad Al Hardan believes his side thoroughly deserved Tuesday’s dramatic 1-0 win over the Islamic Republic of Iran in Group C of the Asian Qualifiers.

Al Hardan held his nerve to convert a decisive 65th minute penalty as Bahrain secured their second victory of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Cup China 2023 qualifying campaign.

With Iraq leading the way following their 4-0 defeat of Cambodia, the result sent Bahrain to second in the group standings, while Iran – reeling from their first World Cup qualifying loss in 24 matches – are third.