ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: JDT secure treble in Malaysia; Hanoi lift National Cup in Vietnam

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: JDT secure treble in Malaysia; Hanoi lift National Cup in Vietnam

Kuala Lumpur: Bergson and Fernando Forestieri scored as Johor Darul Ta’zim claimed their first-ever domestic treble by defeating Selangor 2-1 in the 2022 Malaysia Cup final at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Saturday. 

Doan Van Hau and Truong Van Thai Quy produced two stunning goals as Hanoi FC lifted the Vietnamese National Cup by beating Binh Dinh 2-0 in Sunday’s final in Hanoi while Tainan City emerged league champions in Chinese Taipei for the third season running. 
 
In China PR, Wuhan Three Towns are back at the top of the table, but with only goal difference separating them from the chasing Shandong Taishan. There were also matches in Thailand, Hong Kong and Cambodia last week, so join the-AFC.com as we review the action from across ASEAN and East Asia. 

Yoshida rallies Japan after Costa Rica disappointment

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Yoshida rallies Japan after Costa Rica disappointment

Al Rayyan: Japan captain Maya Yoshida urged his team to stick together after their 1-0 loss to Costa Rica on Sunday and believes a place in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 knockout round is still within their reach.

Yoshida said the Blue Samurai struggled to come down from the high of beating Germany in their opening Group E game and found it "difficult" to prepare for Costa Rica, who were coming off a 7-0 thrashing by Spain.

Japan will likely now need at least a point in their final group game against Spain to progress and Yoshida urged his teammates to pull off another famous win.

Duke, journeyman goal hero spearheading Australia

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Duke, journeyman goal hero spearheading Australia

Doha: Mitchell Duke wouldn't be high on anyone's list of FIFA World Cup stars but the journeyman forward is pivotal to Australia's hopes of reaching the last 16 for only the second time.

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Robert Lewandowski all scored crucial goals in Qatar on Saturday - and so did Duke, who plays in Japan's second tier and turns 32 in January.

Duke gave Tunisia's defence a torrid time with his physicality but his 23rd-minute header for what turned out to be the winner was a thing of beauty as he deftly glanced the ball over his shoulder and into the net.

Germany snatch draw with Spain

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Germany snatch draw with Spain

Al Khor: Niclas Fuellkrug's late equaliser snatched Germany a morale-boosting 1-1 draw with Spain in a heavyweight FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 clash on Sunday, leaving both sides' hopes of qualifying for the last 16 still in the balance.

Alvaro Morata's flicked finish had Spain on course to secure qualification from Group E, but the electric Jamal Musiala and Fuellkrug combined to foil La Roja and restore some German pride.

Kramaric double fires Croatia as Canada crash out

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Kramaric double fires Croatia as Canada crash out

Doha: Croatia got their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 campaign back on track as Andrej Kramaric's double inspired a 4-1 win that eliminated Canada in Sunday's Group F match in Doha.

Zlatko Dalic's side were stunned by Alphonso Davies's second-minute opener at the Khalifa International Stadium but Hoffenheim forward Kramaric equalised and Marko Livaja put the 2018 World Cup runners-up ahead just before half-time.

Second-half goals from Kramaric and Lovro Majer ensured Croatia could celebrate their first win of the tournament after a goalless draw with Morocco in their first match.

Morocco upset Belgium to throw Group F wide open

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Morocco upset Belgium to throw Group F wide open

Doha: Morocco pulled off a surprise 2-0 win over Belgium at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Sunday to edge closer to a place in the last 16.

Second-half goals from Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukhlal sent Morocco to four points, level with Croatia who lead on goal difference and one ahead of Belgium. 

Croatia, the 2018 runners-up, defeated Canada 4-1 in Sunday's later game.