Group E: Korea Republic 3-1 Bahrain

Tue, 16 Jan, 2024

Group E: Korea Republic 3-1 Bahrain

Doha: Lee Kang-in’s second half brace ensured Korea Republic made a positive start to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Monday as the Paris Saint-Germain winger led his side to a 3-1 win over Bahrain at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Group E.

Hwang In-beom gave Jurgen Klinsmann’s side a 38th minute lead but, after Abdulla Al Hashash had levelled the scores six minutes into the second half, Lee Kang-in struck twice in 13 minutes to seal the points for the two-time AFC Asian Cup champions.
 
The 22-year-old’s first was an exquisite strike from 25 yards in the 56th minute and he sealed the win with 21 minutes remaining, stroking a clinical finish into the bottom corner of Ebrahim Lutfalla’s goal.

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Group E: Malaysia 0-4 Jordan

Tue, 16 Jan, 2024

Group E: Malaysia 0-4 Jordan

Al Wakrah: Jordan got their AFC Asian Cup Qatar™ 2023 Group E campaign off to a resounding start with a 4-0 win over Malaysia at the Al Janoub Stadium on Monday.

Jordan richly deserved the victory, taking a 3-0 lead into the break against a Malaysian side who struggled to cope with the high intensity of their opponents.

Group D: Indonesia 1-3 Iraq

Tue, 16 Jan, 2024

Group D: Indonesia 1-3 Iraq

Al Rayyan: Iraq got their AFC Asian Cup™ Qatar 2023 Group D campaign off to a strong start with a 3-1 win over Indonesia at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Monday.

In a game that marked Indonesia’s return to the tournament after 16 years of absence, coach Shin Tae-yong’s side exchanged attacks with their opponents, but ultimately lost steam as the game wore on.

Preview - Group F: Saudi Arabia v Oman

Wed, 17 Jan, 2024

Preview - Group F: Saudi Arabia v Oman

Al Rayyan: Head coach Roberto Mancini wants his Saudi Arabia side to draw lessons from his Euro 2020 winning Italy team as they prepare to get their AFC Asian Cup Qatar™ 2023 Group F journey underway against Oman at Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday.

Mancini had led a then unfancied Italy side to overcome powerhouses such as Belgium, Spain and England to win the title, and he wants his Saudi players to give their all to bring home the Asian title for the fourth time in the country’s history.

Al Shehri eyes a winning start for Saudi Arabia; Al Saadi calls for Oman unity

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

Al Shehri eyes a winning start for Saudi Arabia; Al Saadi calls for Oman unity

Doha: Victory against eventual FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 champions Argentina had Saudi Arabia’s goal scorer Saleh Al Shehri believing they can beat any team, as they return to Qatar in pursuit of a fourth AFC Asian Cup™ title.

Al Shehri scored the first goal in the famous 2-1 victory at Lusail Stadium 14 months ago, and has since gone on to score four more times under new head coach Roberto Mancini, taking his overall tally to 13 goals in 27 caps for his country.
 
Next up for the Green Falcon is a fiery clash against neighbours Oman in their opening match of Group F at Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday.

Preview - Group F: Thailand v Kyrgyz Republic

Wed, 17 Jan, 2024

Preview - Group F: Thailand v Kyrgyz Republic

Doha: Stefan Tarkovic has challenged his Kyrgyz Republic side to make their mark in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, starting with their Group F clash against Thailand at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Tuesday.

The former Slovakia boss has had the luxury of an extended preparation as the White Falcons go in search of a second successive appearance in the knockout stage of the AFC Asian Cup after they reached the Round of 16 in UAE 2019 - their debut outing in the competition.

Ranked 15 places higher than Thailand in the FIFA World Ranking, the onus is on Kyrgyz Republic to set the tone with an opening win to boost confidence ahead of meetings with Saudi Arabia (Jan 21) and Oman (Jan 25).

Theerathon expects vibrant Thailand; Kozubaev keen to show an improved Kyrgyz Republic

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

Theerathon expects vibrant Thailand; Kozubaev keen to show an improved Kyrgyz Republic

Doha: Captain Theerathon Bunmanthan is hoping Thailand will show a new standard when they take on Kyrgyz Republic in their opening AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group F match on Tuesday.

Tamirlan Kozubaev, meanwhile, wants Kyrgyz Republic to aim higher after advancing to the Round of 16 in their AFC Asian Cup debut in UAE 2019. 

Ghalehnoy: IR Iran’s strength is our depth

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

Ghalehnoy: IR Iran’s strength is our depth

Al Rayyan: Ardeshir Ghalehnoy was full of praise for his Islamic Republic of Iran side after a 4-1 win over Palestine in their opening AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group C match on Sunday.

In his second stint as head coach of Iran, Ghalehnoy repeated what he did in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup by guiding his side to a winning start to the tournament with the 60-year-old paying tribute to the depth of his squad.

UAE’s Bento satisfied; Andersen applauds resilient Hong Kong, China

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

UAE’s Bento satisfied; Andersen applauds resilient Hong Kong, China

Al Rayyan: United Arab Emirates head coach Paulo Bento remained unfazed about his team’s reliance on penalty kicks to secure their 3-1 victory over Hong Kong, China in Sunday’s AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group C clash. 

UAE, semi-finalists in the last two editions of the continental showpiece, are 86 places ahead of Hong Kong who hold the 150th spot in the latest FIFA World Ranking. 

Patient Japan please Moriyasu

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

Patient Japan please Moriyasu

Doha: Hajime Moriyasu praised his players’ patience as four-time champions Japan ground out a 4-2 win over Vietnam at Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday to make a positive start to their challenge for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

The Japanese were shocked in the 33rd minute when Pham Tuan Hai gave the Philippe Troussier-coached Vietnamese a 2-1 lead after Nguyen Dinh Bac had cancelled out Takumi Minamino’s opener, only for the Samurai Blue to compose themselves to take all three points.
 
Minamino equalised in the 45th minute and Keito Nakamura put Japan ahead just before the interval with substitute Ayase Ueda striking four minutes from time to put the seal on a professional display from Moriyasu’s side.