IR Iran, Japan, Korea Republic impress

Sat, 14 Oct, 2023

IR Iran, Japan, Korea Republic impress

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan and Korea Republic registered impressive wins on Friday as they picked up valuable match practice ahead of Round 2 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Preliminary Joint Qualification.

Qatar were held 0-0 by Iraq, a goal deep into added time secured Saudi Arabia a 2-2 draw with Nigeria,  Australia suffered defeat against England while Malaysia beat India 4-2 on a busy night of action. 

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AFC Annual Awards Doha 2022 nominees revealed

Fri, 13 Oct, 2023

AFC Annual Awards Doha 2022 nominees revealed

Kuala Lumpur: A glittering cast of nominees was today unveiled for the AFC Annual Awards Doha 2022, which will make its highly anticipated return on October 31 after a four-year hiatus.

The latest AFC Player of the Year and AFC Women’s Player of the Year will be revealed at the 27th edition of the AFC Annual Awards, which is set to be presented by the AFC’s Global Partner NEOM and held at the iconic Al Mayassa Theatre at the Qatar National Convention Centre.

China PR complete Thailand 2024 cast

Fri, 13 Oct, 2023

China PR complete Thailand 2024 cast

Bangkok: China PR defeated Hong Kong, China 5-2 on Friday to become the final team to qualify for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand 2024.

China PR won the two-leg tie 11-2 on aggregate, with Group A reduced to a two-team affair following the withdrawal of Turkmenistan. Thailand competed for exposure with their results not counting towards the standings.

Job not done yet, says Yemen's Soukup

Fri, 13 Oct, 2023

Job not done yet, says Yemen's Soukup

Abha: Miroslav Soukup believes Yemen can't rest on their laurels despite the 3-0 win over Sri Lanka in the first leg of the Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday.

Ahmed Maher, Nasser Al Gahwashi and Abdulwasea Al Matari scored to place Yemen in a commanding position ahead of Tuesday's return leg but Soukup said it was very important to remain grounded. 

Buoyant Feichtenbeiner looks ahead; Oliveira remains optimistic

Fri, 13 Oct, 2023

Buoyant Feichtenbeiner looks ahead; Oliveira remains optimistic

Yangon: Head coach Michael Feichtenbeiner is already planning ahead following Myanmar’s 5-1 win over Macau in the first leg of the Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday.

With the score tied at 1-1, Myanmar needed a second half intervention to fend off a battling Macau with Lwin Moe Aung leading the charge with a brace.

Shin targets improvement despite big victory

Fri, 13 Oct, 2023

Shin targets improvement despite big victory

Jakarta: Indonesia will take a 6-0 lead into the second leg of the Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ tie against Brunei Darussalam but Shin Tae-yong wasn’t fully impressed.

After racing to a two-goal lead in the opening 12 minutes, Indonesia were forced to wait until the 58th minute before getting their third, and head coach Shin saw this as one improvement his side need.

Singapore’s Nishigaya satisfied, Guam’s Awa relishing return leg

Fri, 13 Oct, 2023

Singapore’s Nishigaya satisfied, Guam’s Awa relishing return leg

Singapore: Singapore head coach Takayuki Nishigaya and his Guam counterpart Ross Awa took positives from their Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ first leg tie on Thursday.

Singapore won 2-1 with Christopher van Huizen and Jacob Mahler scoring in the first half while Jason Cunliffe’s 90th minute goal gave Guam a lifeline heading into Tuesday’s return match.

Samuel applauds Chinese Taipei’s winning mentality

Fri, 13 Oct, 2023

Samuel applauds Chinese Taipei’s winning mentality

Kaohsiung City: Chinese Taipei’s Ange Samuel believes experience and confidence were the keys for their 4-0 win over Timor-Leste in their Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ first leg tie on Thursday. 

Chinese Taipei took a 1-0 lead going into the break before overwhelming their opponents in the second half to leave Timor-Leste with a mountain to climb heading into Tuesday’s return leg.

Andersen delighted, Dorji remains hopeful

Fri, 13 Oct, 2023

Andersen delighted, Dorji remains hopeful

Hong Kong: Head coach Jorn Andersen was delighted with his Hong Kong, China's first half display in their 4-0 win over Bhutan on Thursday as the east Asians took a huge step towards qualifying for the second round of the Preliminary Joint Qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Michael Udebuluzor scored twice with his head in the opening 15 minutes to give the home side the perfect start before Shinichi Chan and an own goal from Tenzin Norbu gave Andersen’s team a four-goal cushion at the interval.
 
But while Matt Orr hit the post in the dying moments of the game, Hong Kong, China were unable to add to their haul with a lacklustre second half performance that took some of the gloss off a comfortable win.