China PR shouldn't worry Philippines, says Cooper

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

China PR shouldn't worry Philippines, says Cooper

Bacolod: China PR may have started the Asian Qualifiers in fine form but that should be of no concern for Philippines when they take on the East Asians in their Matchday Four Group A tie on Tuesday.

Marcello Lippi's China have scored 12 goals and conceded none in their opening two matches but coach Scott Cooper said Philippines should have no fear when the two teams face off at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/video/md2_-_group_a_guam_vs_philippines.html

Matchday Four: Five things to look out for

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Matchday Four: Five things to look out for

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Three of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 more than lived up to expectations with no shortage of excitement.

With fans still catching their breath after Thursday's stellar action, Matchday Four beckons on Tuesday and the-AFC.com has selected five things to look out for as the teams take another step in their bid to qualify for the two showpiece events.

Bernhardt sees bright future for Kyrgyz Republic youngsters

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Bernhardt sees bright future for Kyrgyz Republic youngsters

Bishkek: Edgar Bernhardt may have netted a hat-trick in Kyrgyz Republic’s record 7-0 win over Myanmar, but the veteran midfielder was equally pleased by the contribution of his side’s impressive youngsters.

Alimardon Shukurov, 20, and Gulzhigit Alykulov, 18, had tongues wagging after their outstanding performances on Thursday, with both players netting their first senior international goals as the Central Asian side revived their Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 campaign after last month’s 1-0 defeat against Tajikistan.

Bernhardt, 33, has seen plenty of players come and go in his 15-year professional career, but he believes the Akshumkar could have something special on their hands with the dynamic duo.

Stimac tells India to focus on Bangladesh

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Stimac tells India to focus on Bangladesh

Kolkata: Igor Stimac will demand his India team do not dwell on last month’s impressive draw with reigning AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar when they take on Bangladesh in the Asian Qualifiers on Tuesday.

The Croatian oversaw a scoreless draw with the Qataris as India bounced back from a late loss at the hands of Oman in their opening qualifier for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, and Stimac is focusing his – and his players’ – attentions on securing their first three-point haul in Group E.

Sharpshooters star on Matchday Three

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Sharpshooters star on Matchday Three

Kuala Lumpur: On a night which produced 74 goals across 16 matches, Asia’s top marksmen found their range on Matchday Three of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Seven players netted hat-tricks on Thursday, as the Continent’s heavyweights, and some rising powers, flexed their muscles in a series of emphatic home wins.

Here, the-AFC.com looks at some of the most effective front men on Matchday Three.

Lippi: China PR's focus firmly on next stage

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Lippi: China PR's focus firmly on next stage

Guangzhou: Marcello Lippi is keeping his sights trained on a place in the next round of the Asian Qualifiers after seeing his side notch up a second straight win on Thursday with a 7-0 victory over Guam at Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou.

Yang Xu scored four and there were also goals from Wu Lei, Wu Xi and Elkeson as China PR followed up their 5-0 win over the Maldives last month by claiming another comfortable three points on the road to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

China now lead Group A alongside Syria with six points out of a possible six and next face the Philippines in Bacolod on Tuesday.

Victory is what matters for Ciobotariu

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Victory is what matters for Ciobotariu

Beirut: It was a case of job well done as far as Lebanon head coach Liviu Ciobotariu was concerned following his side's 2-0 win over Turkmenistan in Group H of the Asian Qualifiers on Thursday.

Goals from Hilal El Helwe and Nader Matar secured Lebanon the first victory of their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifying campaign, having lost 2-0 to DPR Korea last month.