Playoff: Vietnam defeat Thailand to boost FIFA Women's World Cup hopes

Thu, 03 Feb, 2022

Playoff: Vietnam defeat Thailand to boost FIFA Women's World Cup hopes

Navi Mumbai: Vietnam took a huge step forward in their bid for a first ever FIFA Women's World Cup qualification with a 2-0 win over Thailand at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday.

A win for Vietnam against Chinese Taipei in the round robin playoff on Sunday will seal the remaining automatic slot for the Southeast Asian side, with China PR, Japan, Korea Republic, the Philippines and co-hosts Australia having already qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia/New Zealand 2023.

Thailand's hopes hang by a thread, with victory over Chinese Taipei needed on Friday if they are to stand a chance, failing which the Southeast Asian side will advance to the Inter-Confederation playoffs. 

Good preparation pays off for Japan, Saudi Arabia look ahead

Wed, 02 Feb, 2022

Good preparation pays off for Japan, Saudi Arabia look ahead

Saitama: Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu said preparation had been key in his side’s 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar as the Samurai Blue moved to within one win of progressing to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Goals from Takumi Minamino and Junya Ito secured Japan’s fifth win in a row and victory over Australia in Sydney on March 24 will guarantee the nation a place at a seventh consecutive FIFA World Cup finals.

Arnold confident of Australia’s chances despite Oman setback

Wed, 02 Feb, 2022

Arnold confident of Australia’s chances despite Oman setback

Muscat: Head coach Graham Arnold remains optimistic of Australia’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification hopes despite being held to a 2-2 draw by Oman on Tuesday.

The result means Australia are third in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar on 15 points – four behind leaders Saudi Arabia with Japan three ahead in second.
 
Australia play Japan and Saudi Arabia in their final two matches in March and Arnold said the Socceroos’ destiny was very much in their own hands.

Skocic happy with resolute IR Iran performance, Marwijk rues UAE's missed opportunity

Wed, 02 Feb, 2022

Skocic happy with resolute IR Iran performance, Marwijk rues UAE's missed opportunity

Tehran: Islamic Republic of Iran head coach Dragan Skocic was happy with his side’s 1-0 home win against United Arab Emirates in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar on Tuesday.

Mehdi Taremi’s late first half strike extended Iran's unbeaten run in the Qualifiers to eight matches although the home team had to dig deep to get the victory after playing nearly the entire second half with 10 men.

Park hails historic victory after Vietnam secure maiden win over China PR

Wed, 02 Feb, 2022

Park hails historic victory after Vietnam secure maiden win over China PR

Hanoi: Vietnam coach Park Hang-seo lauded a milestone moment for Vietnamese and Southeast Asian football after the Golden Star Warriors wrote their name into the history books with a 3-1 win over China PR on Matchday Eight of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar at the My Dinh Stadium on Tuesday.

The Korean tactician not only helmed the side to a first-ever victory over their neighbours, but it also marked a first-ever win at this stage of FIFA World Cup qualifying for a team from Southeast Asia. In 2018, Thailand had also reached the final round, but could only earn two draws. 

Ho Tan Tai opened the scoring inside 10 minutes for the hosts, before Nguyen Tien Linh doubled the advantage just seven minutes later. Substitute Phan Van Duc scored a spectacular third with 14 minutes remaining, before Wu Xi’s consolation for the visitors deep into added time.

Mixed emotions for Hasek, Petrovic after Lebanon, Iraq stalemate

Wed, 02 Feb, 2022

Mixed emotions for Hasek, Petrovic after Lebanon, Iraq stalemate

Saida: Lebanon head coach Ivan Hasek didn’t hide his disappointment following his side’s 1-1 draw with Iraq in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar on Tuesday.

Both sides had to settle for a share of the points after Maher Sabra’s late first-half equaliser cancelled the opener by Iraq forward Ayman Hussein, a result neither side wanted in their respective bids to finish third and seal a place in the playoff.
 
Lebanon are on six points and Iraq one behind with United Arab Emirates sitting on nine with just two matches remaining.