Philip Chan scores 1000th goal of AFC Asian Cup™

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

Philip Chan scores 1000th goal of AFC Asian Cup™

Al Rayyan: A significant milestone was reached in AFC Asian Cup™ history on Sunday evening when the showpiece tournament of Asia witnessed its 1000th goal at the Khalifa International Stadium.

The landmark strike was scored by Philip Chan for Hong Kong, China in the 49th minute to draw them level against the United Arab Emirates in the Group C encounter at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, which ended 3-1 to the West Asians.

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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.

Group C: IR Iran 4-1 Palestine

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

Group C: IR Iran 4-1 Palestine

Al Rayyan: Islamic Republic of Iran began their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group C campaign with an eye-catching 4-1 win over Palestine on Sunday.

The victory at the Education City Stadium means Iran top the group ahead of the United Arab Emirates - who beat Hong Kong, China 3-1 earlier in the day - on goal difference.

Group C: UAE 3-1 Hong Kong, China

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

Group C: UAE 3-1 Hong Kong, China

Al Rayyan: United Arab Emirates began their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group C campaign with a 3-1 win over Hong Kong, China at the Khalifa International Stadium on Sunday.

Despite the defeat, Hong Kong scorer Philip Chan Siu Kwan etched his name in AFC Asian Cup history by scoring the 1,000th goal of the continental showpiece.

Group D: Japan 4-2 Vietnam

Mon, 15 Jan, 2024

Group D: Japan 4-2 Vietnam

Doha: Takumi Minamino scored twice as Japan fought back to hand Vietnam a 4-2 defeat at Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday as the four-time champions kicked off their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ campaign in Group D with a hard-fought win.

Hajime Moriyasu’s side were made to work for the three points in their meeting with former Japan coach Philippe Troussier, whose team rattled the Samurai Blue before slipping to a loss delivered by Keito Nakamura’s curling strike and Ayase Ueda's late fourth.
 
Minamino had put Japan in front in the 11th minute but goals from Nguyen Dinh Bac and Pham Tuan Hai gave Vietnam the lead before Minamino equalised in the 45th minute and Nakamura bent in his right foot strike five minutes later.
 
Substitute Ueda added Japan’s fourth with a deflected strike with four minutes remaining.