Good preparation pays off for Japan, Saudi Arabia look ahead

Wed, 02 Feb, 2022

Good preparation pays off for Japan, Saudi Arabia look ahead

Saitama: Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu said preparation had been key in his side’s 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar as the Samurai Blue moved to within one win of progressing to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Goals from Takumi Minamino and Junya Ito secured Japan’s fifth win in a row and victory over Australia in Sydney on March 24 will guarantee the nation a place at a seventh consecutive FIFA World Cup finals.

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

Group B: Japan defeat Saudi Arabia to stay firmly on track

Wed, 02 Feb, 2022

Group B: Japan defeat Saudi Arabia to stay firmly on track

Saitama: Junya Ito set up one and scored the other as Japan handed Saudi Arabia a 2-0 defeat at Saitama Stadium in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar on Tuesday to move the Samurai Blue to within a point of Herve Renard’s side at the top of the standings.

Ito played in Takumi Minamino as he opened the scoring for Hajime Moriyasu’s side in the 32nd minute before netting with a spectacular drive into the top corner five minutes into the second half to earn Japan a deserved victory.

Group B: Oman fight back to hold Australia

Wed, 02 Feb, 2022

Group B: Oman fight back to hold Australia

Muscat: Oman came from behind twice to hold Australia 2-2 in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar on Tuesday. 

It was a result neither side wanted, with Australia’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification hopes suffering a blow while third place - which would have meant a playoff spot - is now out of reach for Oman. 

With two matches remaining, Australia are four points behind leaders Saudi Arabia, who lost 2-0 to Korea Republic earlier on Tuesday, with the East Asians three ahead of the Socceroos. 

Group B: Vietnam cruise past China PR for first win

Wed, 02 Feb, 2022

Group B: Vietnam cruise past China PR for first win

Hanoi: Vietnam secured a historic first-ever victory over China PR as goals from Ho Tan Tai and Nguyen Tien Linh sealed a 3-1 win in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar on Tuesday that also ended any slim hopes the Chinese had of finishing third. 

Tan Tai opened the scoring inside 10 minutes at the My Dinh Stadium and Tien Linh had the home support in dreamland by doubling their advantage just seven minutes later. Substitute Phan Van Duc wrapped up a famous win by smashing home a third from distance in the 76th minute before Wu Xi grabbed a consolation for China PR deep into added time. 

The victory meant Vietnam also picked up their maiden points in the final round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers, and, while they remain bottom of the standings, the Golden Star Warriors are now just two points adrift of the Chinese with two games to play.

Group A: Korea Republic confirm Qatar 2022 ticket

Wed, 02 Feb, 2022

Group A: Korea Republic confirm Qatar 2022 ticket

Dubai: Korea Republic secured qualification to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with a 2-0 win against Syria in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar at Dubai’s Rashid Stadium on Tuesday.

The win meant Korea Republic qualified for their 10th consecutive and 11th overall FIFA World Cup Finals, with a top two finish assured with two matches remaining.

Group A: IR Iran edge UAE to maintain tight grip on top spot

Wed, 02 Feb, 2022

Group A: IR Iran edge UAE to maintain tight grip on top spot

Tehran: Ten-man Islamic Republic of Iran extended their unbeaten run in the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar to eight matches with a 1-0 home win over the UAE in Group A on Tuesday.

The home side had already qualified to Qatar 2022 last week after beating Iraq 1-0, but they still fielded a full strength side and produced another win and a clean sheet despite their numerical disadvantage for over 40 minutes.

Group A: Lebanon, Iraq settle for share of points

Wed, 02 Feb, 2022

Group A: Lebanon, Iraq settle for share of points

Sidon: Lebanon and Iraq played out a 1-1 draw at Saida Municipal Stadium on Matchday Eight of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar on Tuesday.

Both sides went into the game in pursuit of a win to keep the pressure on UAE in third place, but there was nothing to separate them at the final whistle.