Taggart becomes first Australian to win K-League Golden Boot

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Taggart becomes first Australian to win K-League Golden Boot

Seoul: Adam Taggart’s red-hot form has delivered a major accolade after the former A-League star won the K-League’s Golden Boot award.

The 26-year-old is the first-ever Australian to finish top in Korea Republic’s top tier – netting a stunning 20 goals in his 33 appearances in his debut season with Suwon Bluewings.

It marks the second time he has been recognised as the top marksman in domestic top flight competition, after winning the A-League’s Golden Boot in the 2013/14 season with Newcastle Jets.

FIFA World Ranking: DPR Korea, Yemen, Singapore and Nepal move up

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

FIFA World Ranking: DPR Korea, Yemen, Singapore and Nepal move up

Kuala Lumpur: DPR Korea, Yemen, Singapore and Nepal - thanks to good results in the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 - are the biggest movers in the latest FIFA World Ranking.

DPR Korea, who defeated Lebanon and Sri Lanka in the Asian Qualifiers, jumped five places to 113th in the world in the FIFA Ranking released on Thursday..

Yemen (137th), Singapore (157th) and Nepal (161st) also improved their respective rankings by five spots.

Bahrain (105), Tajikistan (115) and Mongolia (183) each moved up four spots.

Road to Qatar 2022 & China 2023: Five Talking Points

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Road to Qatar 2022 & China 2023: Five Talking Points

Kuala Lumpur: After six rounds of matches, the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 are done and dusted for 2019.

Qualifying action for the two premier competitions will resume on March 26 as the players - depending on where they play their club football - either return to their teams or get some much needed break.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at five talking points at this stage of a thrilling Asian Qualifiers.

Victory is what matters for Qatar, says Afif

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Victory is what matters for Qatar, says Afif

Dushanbe: Akram Afif said Qatar may not have fired on all cylinders but they achieved their target in the 1-0 away win against Afghanistan in Group E of the Asian Qualifiers on Tuesday.

Afif scored the winning goal from the penalty spot 14 minutes from time as the Asian champions were made to work hard in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualification tie by a resilient Afghanistan at the Republican Central Stadium.

Syria fully deserve top spot, says Ebrahim

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Syria fully deserve top spot, says Ebrahim

Dubai: Head coach Fajr Ebrahim believes Syria’s recent hard work is starting to pay handsome dividends after watching his side record a fifth successive Asian Qualifiers victory thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 win over the Philippines on Tuesday.

Ward Salama’s first-half goal proved the difference at Dubai’s Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium as Syria reinforced their position at the top of the Group A standings by going eight points clear of second-placed China PR.

With progress through to the next phase of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying – and a place at the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 – now tantalisingly close, Ebrahim is adamant that Syria fully deserve to be where they are.

Katanec, Sousa satisfied with draw

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Katanec, Sousa satisfied with draw

Amman: Srečko Katanec said it was a case of one point earned rather than two lost after Iraq played to a goalless draw with Bahrain in Group C of the Asian Qualifiers on Tuesday.

The point kept Iraq top of the standings on 11 points, two ahead of Bahrain and five in front of Islamic Republic of Iran going into 2020.

The Iraq head coach said it was, given the circumstances a good result as the West Asians ended 2019 unbeaten in the Asian Qualifiers, having defeated Iran 2-1 on Matchday Five.

Lack of finishers costing India, says Stimac

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Lack of finishers costing India, says Stimac

Muscat: Tuesday's defeat to Oman means India ended 2019 without a win in the Asian Qualifiers, leaving them with much work to do if Igor Stimac's side are to advance to the next stage of the competition.

India collected three points from five matches, with both their defeats inflicted by Oman and head coach Stimac said the South Asian side's major issue had been their inability to score from open play in their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifying campaign.