Group A: Qatar beat China PR to stay perfect

Tue, 23 Jan, 2024

Group A: Qatar beat China PR to stay perfect

Doha: Hassan Al Haydos’ goal-of-the-tournament contender earned Qatar a 1-0 win over China PR in their final Group A clash of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ at Khalifa International Stadium on Monday as the hosts all but eliminated Aleksandar Jankovic’s side from the competition.

The Qatari captain came off the bench to smash a spectacular volley from 20 yards past the helpless Yan Junling in the 66th minute and maintain the much-changed defending champions’ perfect start to the campaign and stretch their AFC Asian Cup winning run to 10 matches, dating back to their 2019 title triumph.

Jankovic’s side needed a win to be certain of advancing to the last 16 but, after failing to find the back of the net in their opening games against Tajikistan and Lebanon, the Chinese once again misfired in attack with their fate now out of their hands. 

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Group A: Tajikistan edge Lebanon to continue journey

Tue, 23 Jan, 2024

Group A: Tajikistan edge Lebanon to continue journey

Doha: Debutants Tajikistan produced a stirring comeback to prolong their journey at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, defeating Lebanon 2-1 on Monday to finish second in Group A.

The Central Asian side showed great fight and spirit as Nuriddin Khamrokulov’s goal in the second minute of stoppage time saw them finish on four points, two better than China PR with Lebanon concluding their campaign on one point.

Preview - Group C: IR Iran v UAE

Tue, 23 Jan, 2024

Preview - Group C: IR Iran v UAE

Doha: Head coach Paulo Bento highlighted intelligent play and humility as qualities his UAE side need if they are to get a result against Islamic Republic of Iran in their third match of the AFC Asian Cup™ Qatar 2023 on Tuesday.

The UAE currently sit second in the group with four points to their name, but a defeat at Education City Stadium and other results going against them could see Bento's men exit the competition in the group stage for the first time since 2011.
 
After a convincing 3-1 win over Hong Kong, China in their opening fixture, the UAE were held to a 1-1 draw against Palestine in a game they finished with 10 men after defender Khalifa Al Hammadi was sent-off in the 37th minute. Bento also received a red card just before the final whistle, meaning he will be suspended for the Iran clash.

Preview - Group C: Hong Kong, China v Palestine

Tue, 23 Jan, 2024

Preview - Group C: Hong Kong, China v Palestine

Doha: Head coach Jorn Andersen wants Hong Kong, China to end their long wait for a win by defeating Palestine when the sides meet in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar™ 2023 Group C on Tuesday.

Hong Kong, who made their tournament debut in 1956, have yet to win an AFC Asian Cup match - a situation Palestine are also in having first appeared on the continental stage in the 2015 edition. 
 
A first win for either side could mean a place in the knockout stage, with Palestine on a point after their draw with United Arab Emirates while Hong Kong lost both their earlier matches. 

Preview - Group B: Syria v India

Tue, 23 Jan, 2024

Preview - Group B: Syria v India

Doha: Igor Stimac is delighted to have a full-strength squad at his disposal for India’s do-or-die AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group B tie against Syria on Tuesday.

The Blue Tigers, already grappling with the absence of key players coming into the tournament, found themselves further hampered by injuries in their first two games but with the likes of midfielder Abdul Samad back in training, the Croat is hopeful of a positive outcome at the Al Bayt Stadium.

Preview - Group B: Australia v Uzbekistan

Tue, 23 Jan, 2024

Preview - Group B: Australia v Uzbekistan

Doha: Uzbekistan coach Srecko Katanec has ruled out Sherzod Nasrullaev from his side’s meeting with Australia in Group B of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ while Socceroos striker Mitchell Duke will miss the game due to a hamstring injury.

Nasrullaev has not trained since his side’s 3-0 win over India in the previous round and, while Katanec confirmed the defender will not take part in Tuesday’s meeting at Al Janoub Stadium, he remains confident his side will progress to the last 16.

#AsianCup2023 smashes historic 1.5 billion engagement mark

Mon, 22 Jan, 2024

#AsianCup2023 smashes historic 1.5 billion engagement mark

Digital engagement at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ nearly doubles from last edition after just 10 days of ongoing tournament

Doha: The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ has engaged with more fans than ever before after just 10 days of competition with impressions on the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s digital channels exceeding the 1.5 billion mark – making it the first AFC competition to reach the breakthrough milestone.