Al Malki injury blow for Saudi Arabia

Thu, 03 Feb, 2022

Al Malki injury blow for Saudi Arabia

Riyadh: Saudi Arabian Football Federation announced on Wednesday that they will be missing the services of Abdulellah Al Malki for an extended period after the midfielder suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The 27-year-old Al Malki was substituted in the 23rd minute of Saudi Arabia’s match against Japan on Matchday 8 of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar on Tuesday.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/video/asianqualifiers_-_group_b_|_japan_2_-_0_saudi_arabia.html

FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021 - Preview

Wed, 02 Feb, 2022

FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021 - Preview

Abu Dhabi: Hosts Al Jazira and 2021 AFC Champions League winners Al Hilal SFC prepare for their second appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup as the competition gets underway in the UAE capital on Thursday.

Japan’s Kashima Antlers (2016) and UAE’s Al Ain (2018) produced the best results in the competition for AFC sides, finishing as runners-up, while five other teams won bronze medals, setting the mark for the two participants this year to reach.

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. 

Bento: Korea Republic's job not done yet

Wed, 02 Feb, 2022

Bento: Korea Republic's job not done yet

Dubai: Korea Republic may have sealed qualification to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with two matches remaining but head coach Paulo Bento is adamant that there won't be any letting up.

Tuesday's 2-0 win over Syria at Dubai's Rashid Stadium - with full-back Kim Jin-su and substitute Kwon Chang-hoon scoring - sealed Korea Republic a 10th consecutive and 11th overall appearance in the global showpiece.

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.

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.  

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.