#AsianQualifiers - The MD6 Star Performers

Thu, 13 Jun, 2024

#AsianQualifiers - The MD6 Star Performers

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ came to an exciting conclusion on Tuesday with 18 nations confirming their places in the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 as well as the AFC Asian Cup to be held in 2027. 

There were several players who rose to the occasion to deliver the goods for their sides on the final matchday – from Thom Haye who scored his maiden international goal to guide Indonesia to their first-ever third round appearance to Ri Jo Guk who bagged an impressive hat-trick to send DPR Korea through to the next stage. 

With the second round action now completed and the third round draw to be held on June 27, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the players who impressed on the sixth and final matchday of the qualification campaign. 

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Who impressed the most

Third round cast finalised

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Third round cast finalised

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ concluded on Tuesday with five teams joining 13 others in the next stage.

Kuwait (Group A), DPR Korea (Group B), China PR (Group C), Kyrgyz Republic (Group D) and Indonesia (Group F) were the final five sides to book their spots in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and confirm their tickets to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals after Matchday Six. 

Indonesia, Kyrgyz Republic and Palestine will be making their debuts in the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. 

AFC President praises Asian teams for sealing AFC Asian Qualifiers™ Round 3 and Saudi Arabia 2027 spots

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

AFC President praises Asian teams for sealing AFC Asian Qualifiers™ Round 3 and Saudi Arabia 2027 spots

Kuala Lumpur: Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, has congratulated the 18 Participating Teams for securing their places in Round 3 of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ for the FIFA World Cup 2026 as well as the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

On a riveting showdown of qualifying action, China PR, DPR Korea, Indonesia, Kuwait and Kyrgyz Republic joined Matchday Five qualifiers’ Bahrain, Jordan, Korea Republic, Oman, Palestine and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday after Australia, Iraq, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan had earlier confirmed their spots after Matchday Four in March this year.

Haye proud to be part of Indonesia’s history

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Haye proud to be part of Indonesia’s history

Jakarta: Indonesia will be making their first appearance in the final round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers when the FIFA World Cup preliminaries resume in September, and Thom Haye is relishing facing Asian football’s finest when the Merah Putih resume their quest for a place at the 2026 Finals.

The Heerenveen midfielder opened the scoring for the Indonesians in their 2-0 victory over the Philippines in Jakarta on Tuesday as Shin Tae-yong’s side picked up the victory required to advance to the next phase of the competition as runners-up in Group F.

While the country appeared at the FIFA World Cup Finals in 1938 when known as the Dutch East Indies, Indonesia have not qualified for the tournament since gaining independence from the Netherlands in 1949 but are currently one of the continent’s rising forces.

Tarkovic dedicates qualification to Kyrgyz fans

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Tarkovic dedicates qualification to Kyrgyz fans

Muscat: Kyrgyz Republic achieved a historic first after they clinched a place in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers with head coach Stefan Tarkovic dedicating their qualification to the nation. 

The 1-1 draw with Oman in their final Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Tuesday sealed the Central Asian side second spot in Group D, which also confirmed their entry to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals.

Hard work took Kuwait through, says Rashedi

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Hard work took Kuwait through, says Rashedi

Kuwait City: Eid Al Rashedi credited hard work and determination after Kuwait sealed a place in the third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers on Tuesday.

Rashedi scored in the 81st minute as Kuwait edged Afghanistan 1-0 to finish second behind Qatar in Group A of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Having failed to qualify for the third round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Rashedi said Kuwait were determined to get it right this time, with the win also confirming their place in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals. 

Ammouta hails Jordan's ability to adapt

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Ammouta hails Jordan's ability to adapt

Riyadh: Head coach Hussein Ammouta put the comeback 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group G match down to his side’s ability to play different styles.

Heading into the match at King Saud University Stadium, Ammouta had planned to use a more front footed approach but with Saudi Arabia dominating possession, the Moroccan was forced to change tact to gain a successful outcome.

UAE’s Bento warns against complacency

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

UAE’s Bento warns against complacency

Dubai: Despite finishing their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group H campaign unbeaten, head coach Paulo Bento has told United Arab Emirates to not rest on their laurels ahead of the next round.

Having already booked their place in the third round with two games to spare, UAE had to fight their way back to earn a 1-1 stalemate against Bahrain on Tuesday to end their campaign unbeaten.

Ghalenoei, Katanec satisfied with draw in battle of equals

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Ghalenoei, Katanec satisfied with draw in battle of equals

Tehran: Islamic Republic of Iran and Uzbekistan showed why they were the two best teams in Group E of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ after they played to an entertaining goalless draw on Tuesday.

Iran topped the group ahead of Uzbekistan due to a superior goal difference with head coach Amir Ghalenoei keen to praise his players for overcoming difficult traveling conditions as well as Uzbekistan’s rise in recent years.

Moriyasu wants Japan to stay sharp

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Moriyasu wants Japan to stay sharp

Hiroshima: Head coach Hajime Moriyasu wants Japan to remain on their toes following their 5-0 win over Syria which ensured his side finished the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with a perfect record.

Japan concluded their campaign with six straight wins and no goals conceded but Moriyasu knows the third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers will be much more challenging and expects his players to remain sharp.

Ivankovic: China PR must work hard to move up to next level

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Ivankovic: China PR must work hard to move up to next level

Seoul: It wasn’t the result that China PR wanted from their final Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group C match against Korea Republic but head coach Branko Ivankovic was relieved that their main goal was still achieved.

The 1-0 defeat made for a nervous wait with focus shifting to Thailand’s match against Singapore but the Southeast Asian side, needing to win by three clear goals, fell just short in a  3-1 victory, enabling China PR to seal a spot in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and a place at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals.

Arnold reminds Australia to avoid 2022 tribulation

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Arnold reminds Australia to avoid 2022 tribulation

Perth: Head coach Graham Arnold sounded a warning even as Australia signed off from the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with a 5-0 win over Palestine on Tuesday. 

The victory meant a perfect campaign of six wins, with 22 goals scored and none conceded but Arnold was quick to remind his squad of the similar situation they had been in for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, with Australia ultimately booking their place in the Finals through playoffs.