Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manila: One of the most significant games in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 qualifiers on March 27 will see the Philippines and Tajikistan clash in a winners-take-all tie for a first-ever place at the highest level of Asian competition.
Neither the Philippines nor Tajikistan have ever taken part at the AFC Asian Cup, but on Tuesday at Rizal Memorial Stadium that drought will end for one of the sides, with a place at AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 the prize for the victor.
The-AFC.com spoke to two experts ahead of the vital tie to get their views.
Former striker Shakhzod Sulaymonov has been the Team Manager at six-time Tajik League champions FC Istiklol since January 2013, while Cedelf Tupas (@CedelfptINQ) is a Philippines Football Expert and Journalist for Philippine Daily Inquirer.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manila: The Philippines will play one of the most important matches in their history on Tuesday when, if the Southeast Asians avoid defeat at home to Tajikistan, they will advance to the AFC Asian Cup for the first time.
Iain Ramsay has played a big role in the Azkals’ improvement in recent years and, after the Philippines defeated Fiji 3-2 in a friendly on Thursday, the midfielder speaks exclusively to the-AFC.com ahead of the crucial Group F encounter with the Central Asians at Manila’s Rizal Memorial Stadium.
What is the mood of the squad as the game with Tajikistan approaches?
We are one win away from qualifying for the Asian Cup, everybody is focused and there is a real buzz around the camp.
It was an entertaining 4-3 victory to the Philippines when the sides met last June. What do you remember about that match?
The atmosphere was intense, they had a big home crowd and made it very exciting to play at their home ground. It was a tough physical game with high intensity, we don’t expect anything different come March 27. We managed to beat them at their home and we plan to do the same in our final game.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manila: The Philippines survived a late scare but will head into their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 qualifier against Tajikistan on a high after beating Fiji 3-2 in a friendly at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila on Thursday.
Philippines only need a draw against Tajikistan in their final Group F tie on Tuesday to seal a first-ever appearance in the AFC Asian Cup and they were dominant against Fiji.
After several missed attempts, Philippines took the lead in the 29th minute through James Younghusband.
Eight minutes into the second half, Hikaru Minegishi doubled their lead and their fans were rewarded again in the 61st when Kevin Ingreso found the back of the net.
A lapse in concentration, however, saw Fiji pull one back through Ame Votoniu in the 74th minute.
Seven minutes later, Roy Krishna pulled another one back for Fiji from the penalty spot and that set the stage for a nervy closing minutes for the Azkals.
However, they held firm and with the win in the bag, they can now prepare for Tajikistan.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pyongyang: Hong Kong face DPR Korea on Tuesday in a decisive final Group B tie to determine a place at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, and striker Alex Akande believes his multicultural team could pull off a famous victory.
Akande, fresh from Kitchee SC’s stunning win over Kashiwa Reysol in the AFC Champions League - a maiden three points for a Hong Kong club in the continental competition - is hoping that the representative side can create more football history when they face DPR Korea in Pyongyang.
Currently sitting three points behind the second-placed Koreans, a win would be enough for Hong Kong, thanks to the head-to-head record, to secure their first trip to the AFC Asian Cup since 1968. The-AFC.com caught up with the Nigeria-born forward ahead of the crucial tie to get his thoughts.