IR Iran remain as Asia's best

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

IR Iran remain as Asia's best

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran dropped four spots down to 27th in the latest FIFA Men's Ranking, but still retain their spot as the Continent's top team. 

Japan climbed three positions up to 28th spot, followed by Korea Republic, who fell two rungs down to 39th.

Australia's position remained unchanged at 44th, while Qatar were one of the biggest movers, surging five spots up to 57th to complete Asia's top five.

Iraq and Thailand also moved five spots up to 74th and 109th respectively after convincing performances in the recent Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

The preliminary joint qualifying action resumes on November 15.

Matchday 4: Results and Reports

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Matchday 4: Results and Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Bahrain were the star performers as Matchday Four of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 came to a close on Tuesday. 

Helio Sousa's side stunned Asia's top ranked team Islamic Republic of Iran 1-0 in a gripping Group C tie while Palestine also walked tall after holding three-time AFC Asian Cup winners Saudi Arabia to a goalless draw in Group D.

The historic clash between DPR Korea and Korea Republic, meanwhile, also ended 0-0 in Pyongyang.

Stay with the-AFC.com for the latest on the Asian Qualifiers.

Uzbekistan to host regional rivals Kyrgyz Republic in friendly

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Uzbekistan to host regional rivals Kyrgyz Republic in friendly

Tashkent: Uzbekistan will host Kyrgyz Republic in an international friendly on November 9 as both sides prepare for crucial FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers matches.

Vadim Abramov’s White Wolves will face the Akshumkar at Tashkent’s Pakhtakor Stadium in the first meeting between the Central Asian neighbours since 2017.

Both sides will use the friendly to prepare for pivotal home matches in the days to follow, with Uzbekistan to host Saudi Arabia on November 14 before meeting Palestine five days later, while Alexander Krestinin’s Kyrgyz Republic are to set to entertain Japan and Tajikistan in Bishkek.

Hey returns for Myanmar as Radulović exits

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Hey returns for Myanmar as Radulović exits

Yangon: Antoine Hey will return as Myanmar head coach, taking the reins for a second time after the Myanmar Football Federation confirmed the departure of Miodrag Radulović on Sunday.

Hey’s appointment, announced in tandem with Radulović’s exit, sees him reclaim the position he held from May to December 2018.

The German boss is tasked with rescuing Myanmar’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers campaign, which has produced three defeats from as many matches.

Matchday Four: Five Takeaways 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Matchday Four: Five Takeaways 

Kuala Lumpur: If Matchday Three of the Asian Qualifiers was about goalscoring heroes, Matchday Four had upsets, shut-outs, strikers who just can't stop finding the back of the net and more.

As the players head back to their clubs and the national team head coaches start planning for the November International Window - when two more Matchdays will be held - the-AFC.com picks five takeways from Tuesday.

Bento: We could have done better against DPR Korea

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Bento: We could have done better against DPR Korea

Incheon: Korea Republic head coach Paulo Bento believes his side didn't play to their potential in their Asian Qualifiers Group H tie against DPR Korea on Tuesday. 

Korea Republic and DPR Korea played to a goalless draw in Pyongyang, leaving them both on seven points in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying.

Three important points for Ibrahim's Syria

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Three important points for Ibrahim's Syria

Dubai: Syria head coach Fajr Ibrahim said his side secured three important points following their 4-0 win against Guam in Group A of the Asian Qualifiers on Tuesday. 

Omar Al Soma scored a hat-trick before Mahmoud Al Mawas added a fourth goal as Syria registered their third win in as many matches in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Qualifiers to top the group with nine points.