Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: DPR Korea, Yemen, Singapore and Nepal - thanks to good results in the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 - are the biggest movers in the latest FIFA World Ranking.
DPR Korea, who defeated Lebanon and Sri Lanka in the Asian Qualifiers, jumped five places to 113th in the world in the FIFA Ranking released on Thursday..
Yemen (137th), Singapore (157th) and Nepal (161st) also improved their respective rankings by five spots.
Bahrain (105), Tajikistan (115) and Mongolia (183) each moved up four spots.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Matchdays One and Two of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 witnessed some remarkable goals being scored.
Goals from distance, individual brilliance and solo efforts lit up the opening two rounds of the Asian Qualifiers. the-AFC.com has picked five. Tell us who you think scored the best goal.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: It was another day of thrills and spills as Matchday Two of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 concluded on Tuesday.
There were winning starts for Australia, China PR, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic and the United Arab Emirates while Saudi Arabia were held to a 2-2 draw by Yemen.
Bangladesh, the final team to open their campaign on Matchday 2, were edged 1-0 by Afghanistan.
The Asian Qualifiers action will resume on October 10 so make sure to stay with the-AFC.com for the latest.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Matchday 1 of the second round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 saw 16 matches being played across the Continent on Thursday.
It was a day of high quality action as 32 of the 40 teams involved in this phase of the Asian Qualifiers got their campaigns underway.
The teams now have a four-day break before Matchday 2 on Tuesday, which will see Australia, China PR, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia kicking off their campaigns.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Taipei: Head coach Johan Kalin didn't hide his pride after Nepal defeated Chinese Taipei 2-0 in their Asian Qualifiers Group B tie at the Taipei Municipal Stadium on Tuesday.
Anjan Bista's brace may have given the South Asians the three points but Kalin said it was teamwork which got Nepal the result, one which came just days after they had suffered a 7-0 defeat to Kuwait in their opening FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifying tie.
A lesser team might not have been up to the task following such a heavy defeat but Kalin said Nepal's resilience showed the promise they have.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Singapore City: Captain Hariss Harun has called on his Singaporean teammates to build on their 2-1 win over Palestine in the Asian Qualifiers on Tuesday.
Singapore produced a wonderful team performance to defeat Palestine in their Group D qualifying tie for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, having opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw with Yemen on Matchday One.
A third minute goal by Shakir Hamzah gave Singapore the lead, only for Palestine's Yaser Hamed to cancel it out 10 minutes later. Safwan Baharudin, however, scored what proved to be the winner for Tatsuma Yoshida's side in the 38th minute.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riffa: Head coach Herve Renard was a relieved man after Saudi Arabia played to a 2-2 draw with Yemen in their opening Asian Qualifiers Group D tie at the Bahrain National Stadium on Tuesday.
Three-time AFC Asian Cup winners Saudi Arabia were the favourites going into the match but had to come from behind twice to salvage a point against a highly-motivated Yemen side in the qualifying tie for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.
Yemen, who also drew 2-2 with Singapore on Matchday One, took the lead after eight minutes through Mohsen Qarawi, with Hattan Bahebri drawing Saudi Arabia level. Omar Al Dahi restored Yemen's lead but they were pulled back once again with Salman Al Dawsari's goal giving Renard's side a share of the points.