Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The Chinese Football Association (CFA) will begin the search for a new head coach after accepting the resignation of Marcello Lippi following his side’s 2-1 loss against Syria in the Asian Qualifiers on Thursday.
Lippi announced his intention to stand down from the role during the post-match press conference after Zhang Linpeng’s 76th minute own goal handed Syria a fourth win in a row to leave China PR’s hopes of advancing to the next round in jeopardy.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/syria_v_china_pr-asian_qualifiers_1.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Five of the Asian Qualifiers lived up to expectations with upsets, battling performances and expected victories across the Continent.
China PR and Islamic Republic of Iran suffered defeats, as did the United Arab Emirates while Korea Republic were held to a goalless draw by a battling Lebanon in Beirut.
Australia and Japan stayed perfect as they both recorded their fourth consecutive wins while Saudi Arabia showed great determination, twice coming from behind to defeat Uzbekistan.
Stay with the-AFC.com as we bring you the latest on the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, with Matchday Six coming up on Tuesday.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Zhang Linpeng’s own goal 14 minutes from time earned Syria a 2-1 win over China PR at the Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai on Thursday as Fajr Ibrahim’s side opened up a five-point gap at the top of Group A of the Asian Qualifiers.
Guangzhou Evergrande defender Zhang put the ball in his own net after Wu Lei had earlier cancelled out Osama Omari’s header to leave Marcello Lippi’s side in second place in the group, level on seven points with the Philippines after four matches.
It was a result which led to Lippi announcing his resignation, which was subsequently accepted by the Chinese Football Association.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Male: The Philippines scored a valuable 2-1 win over Maldives in Group A of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 on Thursday.
Maldives were more organised in the first half while the visitors missed a penalty before the stroke of half-time.
The Azkals, however, came back roaring in the second half with two goals before Maldives scored a late consolation.
The win for the Philippines means they stay in touch with the group’s heavyweights - Syria and China PR - with seven points.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Amman: Substitute Ali Abbas’ added-time strike secured a famous 2-1 victory for Iraq against Islamic Republic of Iran at Amman International Stadium on Matchday Five of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers on Thursday.
Going into the match, the two sides were separated by a single point at the summit of Group C, with Iraq leading the standings with seven points.
But Bahrain’s goalless draw in Hong Kong meant whichever side that won the tie would earn the top spot by the end of matchday.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Hanoi: Nguyen Tien Linh’s wonder strike was the difference as Vietnam defeated the UAE 1-0 at My Dinh Stadium to move top of Group E of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and 2023 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers on Thursday.
Thailand’s 2-1 defeat to Malaysia in the other Matchday Five fixture means Vietnam overtake the War Elephants into top spot with 10 points, while the UAE drop to third place with six points from two wins and two defeats.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Beirut: Korea Republic dropped points for the second successive match as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Lebanon in a closely contested FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers Group H encounter in Beirut.
Following on from their Matchday Four stalemate with DPR Korea in Pyongyang, Paulo Bento’s charges were unable to find a way past a resolute Lebanon defence and impressive host goalkeeper Mehdi Khalil, although the result has left them one point clear at the summit.
The draw, meanwhile, has lifted Lebanon to second and left them hot on the heels of their table-topping opponents who will now not be in action again until March’s home game against Turkmenistan.