We made it difficult for ourselves, says Qatar’s Ali

Fri, 15 Nov, 2024

We made it difficult for ourselves, says Qatar’s Ali

Doha: Almoez Ali admitted Qatar made it tough for themselves after needing a last gasp goal to seal a dramatic 3-2 win over Uzbekistan in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group A tie on Thursday.

Ali had given two-time AFC Asian Cup™ winners Qatar a 2-0 lead going into the break but their hard work was undone by Abbosbek Fayzullaev’s brace, which left the West Asians facing the possibility of an early end to their hopes of automatic qualification.  

Lucas Mendes, however, stepped up to net the winner in the 12th minute of time added on as Qatar moved to seven points, three behind second-placed Uzbekistan. 

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Mixed feelings for IR Iran’s Ghalenoei after DPR Korea win

Fri, 15 Nov, 2024

Mixed feelings for IR Iran’s Ghalenoei after DPR Korea win

Vientiane: Islamic Republic of Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei admitted to having mixed feelings following his side’s 3-2 win over DPR Korea in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group A clash on Thursday.

Iran’s fortitude was put to the test by a fighting DPR Korea before Ghalenoei’s side, who were reduced to 10 men in the 50th minute, took a huge step towards qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the tactician admitting that some important lessons were learnt.

Korea Republic’s Hong remains focused on the prize

Fri, 15 Nov, 2024

Korea Republic’s Hong remains focused on the prize

Ardhiyah: Head coach Hong Myung-bo reiterated his determination to secure FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification after Korea Republic’s 3-1 win over Kuwait in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group B clash on Thursday.

Hong’s charges, buoyed by the return of captain Son Heung-min, produced a dominant display to move to 13 points - five clear of Jordan and Iraq at the midway stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers.

Ivankovic hails China PR players for ‘great victory’

Fri, 15 Nov, 2024

Ivankovic hails China PR players for ‘great victory’

Riffa: Branko Ivankovic believes anything is possible after Zhang Yuning’s late goal against Bahrain on Thursday propelled China PR back into the mix for automatic qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Zhang struck in the first minute of time added on at the end of the second half as China PR secured a 1-0 win over Bahrain in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group C tie to move to six points. 

It had looked bleak for China PR after three straight defeats but the wins over Indonesia and Bahrain mean they are now level on six points with Australia and Saudi Arabia with Japan, who play Indonesia later on Friday, leading the standings with 10 points. 

Popovic, Renard pleased despite stalemate

Fri, 15 Nov, 2024

Popovic, Renard pleased despite stalemate

Melbourne: Australia's Tony Popovic and Herve Renard of Saudi Arabia were satisfied despite their sides sharing points in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group C match on Thursday.

In a match laden with chances, neither side could convert their opportunities as both moved to six points at the midway point with qualification still very much in their own hands.

#AsianQualifiers - MD5: Results & Reports

Fri, 15 Nov, 2024

#AsianQualifiers - MD5: Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Five of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 lived up to expectations with thrills and spills witnessed across the eight matches.

Islamic Republic of Iran and Korea Republic - who had skipper Son Heung-min scoring his 50th international goal - tightened their grips on automatic spots to the FIFA World Cup 2026 with wins over DPR Korea and Kuwait respectively.

Uzbekistan and Bahrain suffered late defeats while Australia and Saudi Arabia settled for a goalless draw in their Group C encounter.

Japan, who meet Indonesia in Jakarta on Friday, will move seven points clear at the top of Group C with a win against the Southeast Asian side.

Stay updated on all the action with the-AFC.com.

Group A: Qatar 3-2 Uzbekistan

Fri, 15 Nov, 2024

Group A: Qatar 3-2 Uzbekistan

Doha: Lucas Mendes scored deep into injury time as Qatar secured a last-gasp 3-2 win over Uzbekistan in Doha on Thursday to revitalise their challenge in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 for a place at the FIFA World Cup Finals.

Mendes struck with 12 added minutes on the clock after Abbosbek Fayzullaev looked to have earned the visitors a point with a pair of headers that had cancelled out Almoez Ali’s first half brace for Tintin Marquez’s side.

The result moves Qatar up to seven points from five matches and to within three of Uzbekistan, who remain in second place in the group but are now three behind the Islamic Republic of Iran following their 3-2 win over DPR Korea earlier in the day.

Group A: United Arab Emirates 3-0 Kyrgyz Republic

Fri, 15 Nov, 2024

Group A: United Arab Emirates 3-0 Kyrgyz Republic

Abu Dhabi: United Arab Emirates reignited their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 campaign after defeating Kyrgyz Republic 3-0 in their Group A tie at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium on Thursday.

The win moved UAE to seven points at the midway stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers while Kyrgyz Republic remained on three. 

Group A: DPR Korea 2-3 IR Iran

Fri, 15 Nov, 2024

Group A: DPR Korea 2-3 IR Iran

Vientiane: Islamic Republic of Iran staved off a fightback to secure a 3-2 win over DPR Korea in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group A tie at Lao National Stadium KM 16 on Thursday.

It was an eventful match for Mehdi Taremi who created all three Iran goals but also scored on own goal before missing a penalty as his side, who were reduced to 10 men in the 51st minute, took a giant step towards the FIFA World Cup 2026 with 13 points at the halfway stage.

Group B: Kuwait 1-3 Korea Republic

Fri, 15 Nov, 2024

Group B: Kuwait 1-3 Korea Republic

Ardhiyah: Korea Republic edged closer to the FIFA World Cup 2026 after defeating Kuwait 3-1 in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group B tie at the Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium on Thursday.

Oh Se-hun and Son Heung-min, who scored his 50th international goal, gave Korea Republic a comfortable lead going into the break. 

An excellent Mohammad Daham effort reduced the deficit in the second half but Bae Jun-ho netted to calm his team’s nerves as Hong Myung-bo’s side moved to 13 points at the midway stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers. 

Group C: Bahrain 0-1 China PR

Fri, 15 Nov, 2024

Group C: Bahrain 0-1 China PR

Riffa: Zhang Yuning struck in the 91st minute to earn China PR a last-gasp 1-0 win over Bahrain on Thursday to breathe new life into his nation’s hopes in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26.

The Beijing Guoan striker pounced to steer home Wang Haijian’s centre at the end of a lacklustre clash that only came to life in the dying moments with the home side earlier denied a goal of their own when Ali Haram’s effort was ruled out by VAR.

The win moves the Chinese off the foot of the standings and into fourth place, level on six points with Australia and Saudi Arabia following their 0-0 draw in Melbourne earlier in the day. Bahrain, meanwhile, remain on five points at the halfway point.

Japan still lead the standings with 10 points from four matches ahead of their meeting with Indonesia at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Friday.