Action galore across Asia

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Action galore across Asia

Kuala Lumpur: It was another busy night of international friendlies as Asian teams continued their preparations on Tuesday for the second round of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 Joint Qualification.

The-AFC.com reviews the action which saw wins for China PR, Myanmar, Chinese Taipei, Jordan and Uzbekistan while Korea Republic and Islamic Republic of Iran played to an entertaining 1-1 draw.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/korea_rep-iran1-afp.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/china_v_tajikistan-afp.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/hong_kong_v_chinese_taipei-hkfa.html

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Nagai double fires Japan past El Salvador

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Nagai double fires Japan past El Salvador

Miyagi: Forward Kensuke Nagai struck twice as a new-look Japan beat El Salvador 2-0 at home in their final Copa America tune-up on Sunday.

The FC Tokyo striker smashed home the opener after 19 minutes in Miyagi before adding his second just before half-time with a clinical finish to give the Samurai Blue a winning send-off.

Tournament guests Japan face Chile, Uruguay and Ecuador in Group C at the Copa America, which kicks off on Thursday.

Stimac praises defenders as India give Croatian his first win

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Stimac praises defenders as India give Croatian his first win

Buriram: India head coach Igor Stimac attributed Saturday's 1-0 win over Thailand in the King's Cup third-place playoff to his defenders.

Admitting that the tie could have gone either way, Stimac said India's first victory under his reign was due to excellent defending by the South Asians.

“Today's result was a result of excellent defending. That was fantastic.

“I was a defender playing at the top level. I can show a few things to the boys, and that’s what we have been doing in the last two weeks - explaining things to the players, and working on the pitch," said the Croatian, who assumed his post in May.

Wins for Singapore, India, penalty heartbreak for Vietnam

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Wins for Singapore, India, penalty heartbreak for Vietnam

Kuala Lumpur: There was a winning start for new Singapore head coach Tatsuma Yoshida, Igor Stimac recorded his first triumph as India head coach but there was a penalty shootout heartbreak for Vietnam on another night of international friendlies on Saturday.

SINGAPORE 4-3 SOLOMON ISLANDS

Yoshida, who took charge of Singapore just last week, saw his team take the lead against Solomon Islands in the fourth minute through Faris Ramli's header.

Gagame Feni equalised for the visitors three minutes into the second half and Solomon Islands went ahead 10 minutes later through Andrew Abba.

Wins for Korea Republic, China PR, Uzbekistan

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Wins for Korea Republic, China PR, Uzbekistan

Kuala Lumpur: On a busy night of international friendlies, Korea Republic edged Australia 1-0 while China PR saw off the challenge of the Philippines with a 2-0 win on Friday.

KOREA REPUBLIC 1-0 AUSTRALIA

Busan: Hwang Ui-jo was the star of the night with his second half goal as Korea Republic defeated Australia 1-0.

A tight first half saw the teams heading into the break level at a packed Busan Asiad Stadium.

Taremi stars as IR Iran defeat Syria

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Taremi stars as IR Iran defeat Syria

Tehran: Mehdi Taremi fired a hat-trick as Islamic Republic of Iran defeated Syria 5-0 in an international friendly at the Azadi Stadium on Thursday.

Both teams are preparing for the second round of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 Joint Qualification which kicks off in September but Iran were in a class of their own as new head coach Marc Wilmots got off to a winning start.

Qatar fall to early Brazilian goals

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Qatar fall to early Brazilian goals

Brasilia: Early strikes by Brazil saw Qatar fall to a 2-0 defeat against the South American giants in an international friendly at the Mané Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia on Wednesday.

Richarlison opened the scoring in the 17th minute but Brazil suffered a blow just after as talisman Neymar departed with pain in his right ankle.

Gabriel Jesus added a second goal in the 23rd minute and despite AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar's best efforts, the West Asians couldn't find a way past the Brazil defence.