Andersen satisfied, Orazov frustrated

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Andersen satisfied, Orazov frustrated

Hong Kong: Head coach Jorn Andersen declared Hong Kong, China's performance in their 2-2 draw with Turkmenistan on Tuesday the best since he took over at the team’s helm almost two years ago.

The home side twice fought back from going behind to goals from Kitchee winger Ruslan Mingazow to claim their first point of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ clash at Hong Kong Stadium.
 
Wong Wai cancelled out Mingazow’s fourth minute opener before Everton Camargo equalised again in the 66th minute to earn the Norwegian’s team a point from an end-to-end encounter that could have been won by either side in the dying minutes.

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Round 2 - MD2: Results & Reports

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Round 2 - MD2: Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Two of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ concluded on Tuesday with another round of exciting action across the continent.

Korea Republic, seeking to qualify for an 11th consecutive FIFA World Cup, registered a crucial win by defeating China PR away while there were also victories for Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar while Islamic Republic of Iran had to settle for draw with Uzbekistan. 
 
The qualifiers will return in March 2024, with the nine group winners and their respective runners-up to advance to the third round of FIFA World Cup qualifying, and at the same time seal their places at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.

Stay updated on all of Tuesday's reaction with the-AFC.com. 

Penalty heartbreak for IR Iran

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Penalty heartbreak for IR Iran

Surabaya: Morocco scored a stoppage-time equaliser then beat Islamic Republic of Iran in a penalty shootout to secure a place in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023 quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Iran's Hesam Nafari missed from the spot before Morocco goalkeeper Taha Benrhozil saved a twice-taken kick from Kasra Taheri. That gave Fouad Zahouani the chance to win it for the Atlas Cubs – and he duly smashed his penalty home.
 
Esmaeil Gholizadeh’s superb second-half header looked to have sent Iran through but a powerful volley from Nassim Azaouzi sent the game to penalties.

Malaysia aim to impress

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Malaysia aim to impress

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's return to the AFC Asian Cup™ for the first time since they co-hosted the 2007 edition couldn't have resulted in a tougher draw - with Korea Republic, Jordan and Bahrain their Group E challengers.

Head coach Kim Pan-gon and his team, however, are relishing the challenge of taking on three sides who are all ranked way above the Southeast Asian side.

Lebanon eye historic knockout stage spot

Tue, 21 Nov, 2023

Lebanon eye historic knockout stage spot

Kuala Lumpur: Denied a place in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™ knockout stage by the slimmest of margins, Lebanon are determined to enjoy an extended run at Qatar 2023. 

The West Asian side lost out to Vietnam on the fairplay rule in 2019 and head coach Nikola Jurcevic's mission will be to ensure Lebanon advance past the group stage for the first time in what will be their third participation on the continental stage. 

China PR part ways with Shui Qingxia

Tue, 21 Nov, 2023

China PR part ways with Shui Qingxia

Beijing: Chinese Football Association (CFA) announced on Monday the departure of women’s national team head coach Shui Qingxia.

An interim coach will be appointed to oversee China PR’s upcoming two friendly matches in the United States in December.

Skorza to leave Urawa

Tue, 21 Nov, 2023

Skorza to leave Urawa

Saitama: Urawa Red Diamonds have announced that head coach Maciej Skorza will leave the club at the end of the current season, less than a year after leading the J1 League side to their third AFC Champions League title.

Skorza was appointed ahead of the current season and steered Urawa to a 2-1 aggregate victory over Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia over two legs in the final in May having replaced Spain’s Ricardo Rodriguez at the helm.