Preview - R16: Uzbekistan v Thailand

Tue, 30 Jan, 2024

Preview - R16: Uzbekistan v Thailand

Al Wakrah: Srecko Katanec has played down Uzbekistan’s tag as favourites for their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16 match against Thailand at Al Janoub Stadium on Tuesday.

Seeking to take Uzbekistan to a fifth quarter-final appearance, Katanec is wary of the threat that Thailand pose despite 45 places separating them in the FIFA World Ranking.

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Uzbekistan have the solutions to unlock Thailand defence, says Xamrobekov

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024

Uzbekistan have the solutions to unlock Thailand defence, says Xamrobekov

Al Wakrah: An Uzbekistan team who made their way to the AFC Asian Cup™ Qatar 2023 round of 16 in the absence of a recognised starting striker have enough solutions to unlock Thailand’s so far impenetrable defence, according to midfielder Odiljon Xamrobekov.

With talisman and captain Eldor Shomurodov missing the competition through injury, Uzbekistan were expected to struggle to find goals in Qatar 2023, but head coach Sereko Katanec’s side were able to advance from Group B unbeaten, with four goals scored by four different players.
 
The Round of 16 sees the White Wolves taking on Thailand at Al Janoub Stadium on Tuesday, opponents who are yet to concede in the tournament, beating Kyrgyz Republic 2-0 and drawing 0-0 against both Oman and Saudi Arabia to finish second in Group F.

Thailand’s Dolah keen to extend Doha stay

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024

Thailand’s Dolah keen to extend Doha stay

Al Wakrah: The opportunity to continue to enjoy being part of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ keeps Thailand’s Elias Dolah motivated ahead of their Round of 16 clash with Uzbekistan at Al Janoub Stadium on Tuesday.

The War Elephants finished second in Group F, reaching the knockout stage for the second time in a row, having previously exited the AFC Asian Cup at the group stage in each of their four appearances between 1992 and 2007.

R16 - Uzbekistan v Thailand: Facts & Figures

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024

R16 - Uzbekistan v Thailand: Facts & Figures

Doha: Uzbekistan will start as marginal favourites against Thailand in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

The Central Asian side advanced after finishing second in Group B while Thailand were the Group F runners-up.

Kim Young-gwon promises error-free Korea Republic

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024

Kim Young-gwon promises error-free Korea Republic

Al Rayyan: Kim Young-gwon is eager to prevent a recurrence of the mistakes committed by Korea Republic in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ group stage when they face Saudi Arabia in the Round of 16 on Tuesday.

The defender said Korea Republic are determined to turn things around after a difficult group stage which saw them winning only once - against Bahrain - and settling for two hard-fought draws against Jordan and Malaysia.

Ali Lajami: Fans will be a crucial factor for Saudi Arabia

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024

Ali Lajami: Fans will be a crucial factor for Saudi Arabia

Al Rayyan: Ali Lajami is counting on the support of Saudi Arabian fans to power the Green Falcons in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Round of 16 tie against Korea Republic on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia boast an impressive record against the Taeguk Warriors in their AFC Asian Cup encounters, remaining undefeated in four previous meetings, and Al Nassr defender Lajami is determined to keep things that way.

Preview - R16: Saudi Arabia v Korea Republic

Wed, 31 Jan, 2024

Preview - R16: Saudi Arabia v Korea Republic

Doha: Jurgen Klinsmann has told his Korea Republic players to be prepared to go all the way to a penalty shoot-out in their efforts to defeat Saudi Arabia ahead of their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ clash on Tuesday as both nations look to set-up a quarter-final meeting with Australia.

Klinsmann will be going head-to-head with Saudi Arabia head coach Roberto Mancini for the second time since September, when the nations met in a friendly match in England that the Koreans won 1-0 to give the German his first victory in charge of the Taeguk Warriors.
 
But Klinsmann admits the challenge facing his side at Education City Stadium will be very different compared to the narrow success achieved at Newcastle’s St James’s Park in only Mancini’s second game in charge of the three-time AFC Asian Cup winners.

R16 - Saudi Arabia v Korea Republic: Facts & Figures

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024

R16 - Saudi Arabia v Korea Republic: Facts & Figures

Doha: Saudi Arabia and Korea Republic are all set for a blockbuster AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16 clash on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia topped Group E while Korea Republic advanced as the Group E runners-up.

Tajikistan heroes Yatimov and Hanonov dedicate historic victory to fans

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024

Tajikistan heroes Yatimov and Hanonov dedicate historic victory to fans

Al Rayyan: Goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov and defender Vahdat Hanonov paid tribute to Tajikistan fans after the pair emerged as the heroes of Tajikistan’s penalty shootout victory over the United Arab Emirates in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16 on Sunday.

Playing their first-ever knockout stage match on their continental debut, the Tajiks took the lead at the half-hour mark through Hanonov whose towering header found its way past goalkeeper Khaled Eisa and into the bottom corner of the Emirati net.
 
Despite being clawed back late in added time through a Khalifa Al Hammadi header, head coach Petar Segrt’s men held out throughout the 30 minutes of extra time to force a penalty shootout in which goalkeeper Yatimov saved from Caio Canedo to set his team up for a 5-3 victory.

Taremi: IR Iran have what it takes to be champions

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024

Taremi: IR Iran have what it takes to be champions

Doha: Mehdi Taremi has spent much of his career being compared to the legendary Ali Daei, but the Islamic Republic of Iran striker is hoping he can go one step further than his mentor and break his nation’s AFC Asian Cup™ drought.

Iranian fans need no reminder of how long it has been since the country last claimed the AFC Asian Cup; since 1976 numerous teams have tried – and failed – to take the title to Tehran for a fourth time.

Team Melli have turned up in Qatar for the current edition of the continental championship with designs on claiming the trophy, another talented team ready to turn 48 years of heartache into euphoria and delight.

The man spearheading the latest challenge is Mehdi Taremi, a player who needs little introduction due to his remarkable exploits for both club and country. A prolific scorer for Porto and Iran, Taremi is hoping to achieve what so many before him have failed to do.

Playing in Europe has made me a better player, says Bahrain's Yusuf

Sun, 28 Jan, 2024

Playing in Europe has made me a better player, says Bahrain's Yusuf

Doha: After starting the first two matches on the bench, Abdulla Yusuf had a major impact on Bahrain’s AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group E clash with Jordan, scoring the goal that took his side into the knockout rounds. 

He tells the-AFC.com about how life in Europe has made him a more complete player.

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.