AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar: How Group B stands

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar: How Group B stands

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar moves on to its Matchday Three and Four fixtures with the next set of games taking place on October 7 and 12 and the six sides in Group B returning for more vital match-ups. 

A huge shock on Matchday One saw Oman defeat Japan in Osaka to gain the best possible start, while powerhouses Saudi Arabia and Australia began with two wins from two. China PR and Vietnam, meanwhile, both suffered back-to-back defeats.

Leading the way at present is Graham Arnold's Australia, who got off to a flying start as goals from Awer Mabil, Martin Boyle and Mitchell Duke secured a comfortable 3-0 win over China in Doha, before Rhyan Grant's first international goal edged a narrow 1-0 victory against Vietnam in Hanoi.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/video/afc_asian_qualifiers_-_road_to_qatar_saudi_arabia_3-1_vietnam.html

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar: How Group A stands

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar: How Group A stands

Kuala Lumpur: With the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar returning on October 7 for another crucial pair of double-headers, the-AFC.com brings you up to speed with how things look in Group A. 

After two rounds of fixtures, the heavyweights of Islamic Republic of Iran and Korea Republic have already stamped their authority on the group, with the Iranians leading the way following back-to-back wins over Syria and Iraq, and the Koreans two points back after drawing against Iraq and beating Lebanon.

Dragan Skocic's Iran have been arguably the most impressive side in the AFC Asian Qualifiers to date, with Alireza Jahanbakhsh rediscovering his mojo since returning to the Eredivisie to join Feyenoord. The former Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder netted the only goal on Matchday One as his side edged Syria before opening the scoring in an emphatic 3-0 win over neighbours Iraq.

Arnold picks settled squad as Australia get set for Oman, Japan matches

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Arnold picks settled squad as Australia get set for Oman, Japan matches

Doha: Head coach Graham Arnold has opted for limited changes to the Australia squad for the Socceroos' upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar matches against Oman and Japan.

Australia, who lead Group B after opening their campaign with wins over Vietnam and China PR, play Oman in Doha on October 7 and Japan five days later at Saitama Stadium.

Lebanon’s Mansour to miss Iraq, Syria games

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Lebanon’s Mansour to miss Iraq, Syria games

Beirut: Captain Nour Mansor will miss Syria's upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar matches against Iraq and Syria.

Defender Mansour is nursing an injured shoulder suffered while playing for Al Ahed in their 3-1 defeat to Bahrain’s Muharraq in the West Zonal Semi-final of the 2021 AFC Cup last week.

Midfielder Hassan Chaito will also miss the two matches due to injury while Fadel Antar, the leading scorer in the Lebanese Premier League, earns his first national team call-up.

Al Soma set for Syria return

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Soma set for Syria return

Damascus: Syria head coach Nizar Mahrous is set to welcome captain Omar Al Soma back into the starting line-up for the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar matches against Korea Republic and Lebanon.

The 32-year-old forward missed Syria's last five matches, including their opening AFC Asian Qualifiers ties against Islamic Republic of Iran and UAE last month.

Mahrous will also have the services of Alaa Al Dali and Mahmoud Al Baher but injured defender Ahmad Al Saleh misses out.

Reshan boost for Iraq ahead of Lebanon, UAE ties

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Reshan boost for Iraq ahead of Lebanon, UAE ties

Baghdad: Bashar Resan is among the 23 players named by head coach Dick Advocaat as Iraq look to revive their AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar campaign.

Iraq play Lebanon and UAE on October 7 and 12 respectively, needing victories after opening their campaign with a 0-0 draw against Korea Republic and a 3-0 defeat to Islamic Republic of Iran.

Qatar SC midfielder Resan suffered an injury during the match against Iran and his recovery is a boost for Iraq.

'Nothing is impossible in race for top three', insists Vietnam's Tien Linh as China PR clash looms

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

'Nothing is impossible in race for top three', insists Vietnam's Tien Linh as China PR clash looms

Sharjah: Vietnam may have lost their opening two games in the final round of the Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar, but Nguyen Tien Linh believes the Golden Stars still have a chance of finishing in the top three of Group B as they prepare to face China PR on Thursday. 

Appearing in the final round of Asian Qualifiers for the first time, Vietnam took the lead in their Group B opener against Saudi Arabia in Riyadh but, reduced to 10 men, fell to a 3-1 defeat before being edged 1-0 by Australia in Hanoi on Matchday Two.

Next up in the United Arab Emirates they face neighbours China, who have also suffered back-to-back defeats, in what is already a crunch encounter at these early stages, before taking on Oman in Muscat five days later.