Group A - Tajikistan v Lebanon: Facts & Figures

Sun, 21 Jan, 2024

Group A - Tajikistan v Lebanon: Facts & Figures

Doha: Only a victory will do for both sides when Tajikistan and Lebanon face off in Group A of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Monday.

Both teams are on a point each, with a win needed if they are to stand a chance of advancing to the knockout stage.

Bahrain's Madan dedicates goal to family; Kim accepts responsibility for Malaysia’s defeat

Sun, 21 Jan, 2024

Bahrain's Madan dedicates goal to family; Kim accepts responsibility for Malaysia’s defeat

Doha: Ali Madan dedicated his match-winning goal to his family after Bahrain’s 1-0 victory over Malaysia in Group E of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday.

The midfielder struck deep into second half stoppage time to break Malaysian hearts and, more importantly, revive Bahrain’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stage, with the West Asian side a point adrift of Jordan and Korea Republic.
 
They play Jordan on Thursday, knowing victory will take them through to the Round of 16 despite having kicked off their campaign wih a 3-1 defeat to Korea Republic.

Klinsmann hails Korea Republic for not giving up; Jordan make Ammouta proud

Sun, 21 Jan, 2024

Klinsmann hails Korea Republic for not giving up; Jordan make Ammouta proud

Doha: Korea Republic coach Jurgen Klinsmann heralded his team’s fighting spirit after the Taeguk Warriors salvaged a 2-2 with Jordan on Saturday through Yazan Al Arab’s late own goal in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group B tie.

The Jordanians succumbed following a prolonged period of sustained Korean pressure to give up the equaliser in the 91st minute having been on the cusp of a famous win against the two-time AFC Asian Cup winners.
 
Son Heung-min had given the Koreans a ninth minute lead from the penalty spot but Park Yong-woo’s own goal and a strike from distance by Yazan Al Naimat in first half injury time meant Klinsmann’s side were forced to launch a second half fightback to share the points.

Preview - Group F: Kyrgyz Republic v Saudi Arabia

Mon, 22 Jan, 2024

Preview - Group F: Kyrgyz Republic v Saudi Arabia

Doha: Head coaches Roberto Mancini and Stefan Tarkovic believe their respective sides can learn a lesson or two from Iraq’s 2-1 victory against Japan on Friday, as Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyz Republic prepare to face-off in Group F of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Sunday.

Having come from a goal behind to defeat Oman 2-1 in their opening match, the Green Falcons need a win to book their place in the Round of 16, but for Mancini, the task will not be easy against a Kyrgyz side ranked 40 places below them, as shown by 68th-ranked Iraq defeating 18th ranked Japan.

Preview - Group F: Oman v Thailand

Sun, 21 Jan, 2024

Preview - Group F: Oman v Thailand

Doha: Branko Ivankovic has full faith in his Oman side to get the job done when they face Thailand in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group F tie on Sunday.

Satisfied with his team’s spirited performance despite the 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening match, Ivankovic is certain Oman have what it takes to bounce back and reignite their knockout stage hopes. 

Andersen proud of performance, Ghalenoei unhappy with missed chances

Sat, 20 Jan, 2024

Andersen proud of performance, Ghalenoei unhappy with missed chances

Al Rayyan: Head coach Jorn Andersen expressed his pride of his Hong Kong, China players despite their 1-0 defeat to Islamic Republic of Iran in their second match in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Friday.

The East Asian side, the lowest ranked in the tournament, fought hard but were undone by a first-half finish from Mehdi Ghayedi, ending the game at Khalifa International Stadium just one goal behind IR Iran side ranked 129 places above them.

Young Indonesia live up to Shin’s expectations

Sat, 20 Jan, 2024

Young Indonesia live up to Shin’s expectations

Doha: Shin Tae-yong was a happy man after Indonesia secured a 1-0 win over Vietnam in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group D tie on Friday to reignite their hopes of reaching the knockout stage for the first time.

The victory over Vietnam is only Indonesia’s third win at the AFC Asian Cup, with the other two coming against Bahrain (2-1 in 2007) and Qatar (2-1 in 2004) as well as being only the second time they have managed to keep a clean sheet in the continental showpiece.
 
Asnawi Mangkualam’s first half penalty proved to be the difference in a tightly-fought contest at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium with Shin not holding back his praise for his young squad.

We were almost perfect, says Iraq's Casas

Fri, 19 Jan, 2024

We were almost perfect, says Iraq's Casas

Al Rayyan: Jesus Casas declared Iraq’s performance “close to the perfect match” after the Lions of Mesopotamia booked their place in the last 16 of the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ on Friday with an impressive 2-1 win over four-time champions Japan at Education City Stadium.

Aymen Hussein scored both goals for Casas’ side before Wataru Endo headed in a late consolation as the Iraqis notched up back-to-back wins that guarantee their progress to the Round of 16 ahead of their final group game against Vietnam.