Potent Australia delight Arnold

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024

Potent Australia delight Arnold

Doha: Graham Arnold praised the Socceroos’ forward line after Australia moved into the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Sunday with a 4-0 win over Indonesia to set up a last eight meeting with either Saudi Arabia or Korea Republic.

Jackson Irvine’s strike was deflected into his own net by Elkan Baggott in the 12th minute, with Martin Boyle, Craig Goodwin and Harry Souttar also on target for the 2015 champions.
 
The win means Australia have maintained their record of reaching at least the last eight of the competition at every tournament since joining the Asian Football Confederation in 2006 and Arnold paid tribute to the improving fortunes of his team’s strike force.

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R16: Australia power past Indonesia

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024

R16: Australia power past Indonesia

Doha: Australia moved through to the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Sunday as an own goal by Elkan Baggott and a diving header from Martin Boyle sent the Socceroos on their way to a 4-0 win over Indonesia at Jassim bin Hamid Stadium.

Graham Arnold’s side will take on either Saudi Arabia or Korea Republic next Friday with a place in the semi-finals at stake as the Australians look to claim a second AFC Asian Cup title after previously winning on home soil in 2015.

R16: Debutants Tajikistan edge UAE to advance

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024

R16: Debutants Tajikistan edge UAE to advance

Al Rayyan: Tajikistan advanced to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-finals after a hard-fought 5-3 penalty shootout win over United Arab Emirates on Sunday.

The match was forced into an additional 30 minutes after UAE's Khalifa Al Hammadi scored in the fifth minute of second half added time to cancel out Vahdat Hanonov’s opener at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.

Goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov was Tajikistan’s hero, judging correctly to deny Caio Canedo’s penalty when the shootout was tied 1-1 as the Central Asian side extended their debut campaign to the quarter-finals, with either Iraq or Jordan their next opponents. 

Preview - R16: Qatar v Palestine

Tue, 30 Jan, 2024

Preview - R16: Qatar v Palestine

Doha: Head coach Marquez Lopez credited his Qatar players with the team’s perfect defensive record in the competition ahead of their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16 clash against Palestine at Al Bayt Stadium on Monday.

The 2019 champions are one of two teams in the tournament who have yet to concede a single goal, alongside Thailand. Qatar’s record since the previous edition has been impressive, having only conceded one goal in their last 10 AFC Asian Cup matches; a Takumi Minamino strike in the UAE 2019 final which the Qataris won 3-1.

Preview - R16: Iraq v Jordan

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024

Preview - R16: Iraq v Jordan

Al Rayyan: Iraq and Jordan are braced for a tough test when they meet in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16 at the Khalifa International Stadium on Monday.

The Lions of Mesopotamia head into the tie in impressive form, winning all three group stage matches - including against four-time winners Japan - while Jordan advanced as one of the four best third-placed teams. 

Qatar comes first for Ali

Sun, 28 Jan, 2024

Qatar comes first for Ali

Al Khor: Almoez Ali’s focus is only on Qatar’s progression into the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-finals, with personal glory taking a backseat for the mercurial striker. 

Ali lit up the 2019 edition of the continental showpiece, netting nine times enroute to helping Qatar emerge champions as well as claiming the Top Scorer and Most Valuable Player awards.

Palestine’s Seyam thriving under Daboub's guidance

Sun, 28 Jan, 2024

Palestine’s Seyam thriving under Daboub's guidance

Al Khor: Tamer Seyam believes that the current iteration of Palestine under the guidance of Makram Daboub is the key to the team’s historic qualification to the knockout stage of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

The Prachuap FC forward is enjoying playing under the Tunisian tactician, scoring in the opening Group C match against Islamic Republic of Iran.
 
Five years ago, Palestine lost all three of their matches at the AFC Asian Cup but Qatar 2023 has so far seen them register a first ever win (3-0 v Hong Kong, China) and a draw (1-1 v United Arab Emirates).

Iraq’s Jasim eager to continue shining

Sun, 28 Jan, 2024

Iraq’s Jasim eager to continue shining

Doha: Ali Jasim is determined to play a major role for Iraq in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16 tie against Jordan on Monday.

Jasim and Youssef Amyn are the youngest members of the Iraq side with the midfielder admitting he is pleased with his performances so far but wanting to do more.

Al Rashdan confident of giving Iraq tough time

Sun, 28 Jan, 2024

Al Rashdan confident of giving Iraq tough time

Doha: Nizar Al Rashdan is hopeful that Jordan’s careful examination of their defensive errors in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ group stage will stand them in good stead against Iraq in their Round of 16 clash on Monday.

Jordan qualified for the knockout stage as one of the four best third-placed teams, winning only one of their group stage ties in contrast to Iraq’s three victories.