Lopez: Resilience took Qatar through

Thu, 18 Jan, 2024

Lopez: Resilience took Qatar through

Al Khor: Marquez Lopez was proud that defending champions Qatar became the first team to seal their place in the knockout stage of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, saying the Maroons’ ability to cope with pressure was the reason behind their 1-0 win over Tajikistan on Wednesday.

Spaniard Lopez made five changes to the team that beat Lebanon 3-0 in the opening game, but Qatar were still too strong for Tajikistan as they confirmed the Group A top spot with a match to spare.

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Radulovic, Jankovic content with shared points

Thu, 18 Jan, 2024

Radulovic, Jankovic content with shared points

Doha: Miodrag Radulovic chose to focus on the positives after Lebanon played to a goalless draw with China PR in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group A encounter on Wednesday.

Both teams, despite displaying plenty of attacking intent, failed to convert their chances and are yet to find the back of the net in the continental showpiece.

Group A: Tajikistan 0-1 Qatar

Sun, 21 Jan, 2024

Group A: Tajikistan 0-1 Qatar

Al Khor: Qatar became the first team to book a place in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ knockout stage after a 1-0 win against Tajikistan in a Group A encounter at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday.

The defending champions’ second win, coupled with China PR and Lebanon playing to a goalless draw earlier in the day, mean Qatar are assured of finishing as the Group A winners. 

Preview - Group B: India v Uzbekistan

Thu, 18 Jan, 2024

Preview - Group B: India v Uzbekistan

Al Rayyan: Srecko Katanec wants his Uzbekistan side to not hold back when they play India in Group B of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar™ 2023 at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Thursday.

Uzbekistan are third in the standings following their 0-0 draw against Syria, two points adrift of group leaders Australia who defeated India 2-0 on Matchday One.

Preview - Group B: Syria v Australia

Thu, 18 Jan, 2024

Preview - Group B: Syria v Australia

Doha: Syria head coach Hector Cuper has denied he will take a defensive approach into his team’s Group B clash with Australia on Thursday as the west Asians look to pick up their first win of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

The Argentinian’s team were held to a 0-0 draw by Uzbekistan in their opening game on Saturday having failed to register a single shot on target at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium against Cuper’s former employers.
 
But while the meeting with Graham Arnold’s side represents another demanding test for the Qasioun Eagles, Cuper stressed he will not be setting up his team to look for another point.

Preview - Group C: Palestine v UAE

Fri, 19 Jan, 2024

Preview - Group C: Palestine v UAE

Doha: Palestine’s physical and direct approach will pose a challenge to the United Arab Emirates when the two teams face off in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup™ Qatar 2023 Group C on Thursday, according to UAE head coach Paulo Bento.

The Portuguese coach, who had previously led Korea Republic to the quarter-finals in the 2019 edition, started his continental adventure with the Whites with a 3-1 win over Hong Kong, China, and adding three more points could be all that is needed to secure a place in the next stage.
 
In the absence of all-time top scorer Ali Mabkhout who was left on the bench on Sunday, youngsters Sultan Adil and Zayed Sultan as well as Yahya Al Ghassani assumed scoring duties, while Hong Kong’s Philip Chan got the 1,000th AFC Asian Cup goal early in the second half.

Mancini credits substitutes for Saudi win, Ivankovic hails Oman fighting spirit

Wed, 17 Jan, 2024

Mancini credits substitutes for Saudi win, Ivankovic hails Oman fighting spirit

Doha: Head coach Roberto Mancini credited his substitute players with Saudi Arabia’s 2-1 come from behind win over Oman in their opening AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group F match on Tuesday.

Oman had taken the lead inside the opening quarter of an hour thanks to a Salah Al Yahyaei penalty, and remained in front until the final 15 minutes when winger Abdulrahman Ghareeb came off the bench to score the equaliser then deliver the cross from the corner which resulted in Ali Al Bulayhi’s winner deep in added time.

Potent Thailand delight Ishii

Wed, 17 Jan, 2024

Potent Thailand delight Ishii

Doha: Masatada Ishii praised his attack-minded players after Thailand registered an impressive 2-0 win over Kyrgyz Republic in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group F match on Tuesday.

The win means Thailand are the early leaders, ahead of Saudi Arabia who defeated Oman 2-1, with Tuesday’s win at the Abdullah Khalifa Stadium the first time the Southeast Asian side have won their opening AFC Asian Cup™ match in eight attempts.

Son hoping to make return to Qatar "a special event"

Wed, 17 Jan, 2024

Son hoping to make return to Qatar "a special event"

Doha: Qatar already holds a special place in the career of Son Heung-min, and the Korea Republic captain has his sights set on making more history over the coming month in the Gulf nation at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

Al Gharafa Stadium was the scene for a landmark moment in the Tottenham Hotspur striker’s ascent to the summit of the game, as the 18-year-old Son stepped off the bench to score in his nation’s 4-1 win over India in the 2011 edition of the continental championship.
 
That goal – scored almost 13 years ago - was Son’s first at senior international level and started a rise that has seen him establish himself among Asia’s elite, scoring a total of 41 times in 118 matches for the Taeguk Warriors.

Matchday One in Numbers

Wed, 17 Jan, 2024

Matchday One in Numbers

Doha: The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ is now well and truly underway with all 24 participating nations having played a match each in the group stage of the 18th edition of the tournament and giving the fans plenty to talk about across five days of exhilarating action. 

From the spectacular curtain-raiser between hosts Qatar and Lebanon on Friday to Saudi Arabia’s dramatic late win against Oman on Tuesday, 12 matches across six groups saw 37 goals and 10 wins, so join the-AFC.com as we review Matchday One with a closer look at the facts and stats that caught the eye.