Lebanon undeterred by opening defeat

Sun, 14 Jan, 2024

Lebanon undeterred by opening defeat

Doha: Maher Sabra felt Lebanon’s 3-0 defeat to Qatar in Friday’s AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ opening match did not do justice to the valiant performance the Cedars produced at the Lusail Stadium. 

The Miodrag Radulovic-led Lebanon held their own in the first half but came undone just before the break as Akram Afif scored the first of his two goals.  

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/video/asiancup2023_|_group_a_qatar_3-0_lebanon_1.html

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Absent Dzhalilov the happiest man on earth, says Tajikistan’s Segrt after China PR draw

Sun, 14 Jan, 2024

Absent Dzhalilov the happiest man on earth, says Tajikistan’s Segrt after China PR draw

Doha: Tajikistan head coach Petar Segrt believes striker Manuchekhr Dzhalilov will have been the happiest man on earth despite not taking part in the nation collecting their first-ever AFC Asian Cup™ point in a 0-0 draw with China PR on Saturday.

The Tajiks dominated play for long spells of the game at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium and were closer to opening the scoring against China on multiple occasions on their continental debut, eventually walking away with the points shared with their Group A rivals.

Cuper pleased with Syria’s resilience; Katanec rues missed chances

Sun, 14 Jan, 2024

Cuper pleased with Syria’s resilience; Katanec rues missed chances

Al Rayyan: Syria head coach Hector Cuper was pleased with his charges despite their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group B tie against Uzbekistan ending in a goalless draw on Saturday.

Satisfied with a point from their opening match, the Argentine is convinced that the draw will inject his team with fresh self-belief ahead of their remaining clashes.

We have to improve, says Australia’s Arnold

Sun, 14 Jan, 2024

We have to improve, says Australia’s Arnold

Al Rayyan: Graham Arnold admitted Australia have to improve despite opening their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ campaign with a 2-0 win over India on Saturday.

Having been frustrated by India’s resilient defending and their own inability to put away chances, second half goals from Jackson Irvine and Jordan Bos finally secured Australia the points and the early lead in Group B, with Uzbekistan and Syria settling for a goalless draw in the other tie. 

Preview - Group D: Japan v Vietnam

Sun, 14 Jan, 2024

Preview - Group D: Japan v Vietnam

Doha: Philippe Troussier will draw inspiration from Japan’s success at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 when he leads Vietnam against his old employers in the nations’ intriguing Group D opener in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Sunday.

The Frenchman led the Japanese to the AFC Asian Cup title in Lebanon in 2000 but will go head-to-head against the Samurai Blue for the first time at Al Thumama Stadium aiming to do to what Hajime Moriyasu’s side did against Germany and Spain a little over a year ago.

Preview - Group C: IR Iran v Palestine

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

Preview - Group C: IR Iran v Palestine

Al Rayyan: Islamic Republic of Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei is eyeing a winning start when his side take on Palestine in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ opener on Sunday as he returns to the country where he played four decades ago.

The 60-year-old IR Iran boss had previously managed Team Melli in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals, but he believes the game in Asia has made huge leaps since the tournament held in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Preview - Group C: UAE v Hong Kong, China

Sun, 14 Jan, 2024

Preview - Group C: UAE v Hong Kong, China

Al Rayyan: Head coach Paulo Bento will warn his United Arab Emirates players against underestimating Hong Kong, China when the two sides meet in their opening AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group C tie on Sunday. 

The East Asian team are the lowest ranked side in the competition but Bento said his players must be cautious in their approach.