Group A: UAE end Korea Republic's unbeaten run to seal playoff spot

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Group A: UAE end Korea Republic's unbeaten run to seal playoff spot

Dubai: Harib Abdalla’s first international goal kept United Arab Emirates AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ dream alive in a 1-0 win over already-qualified Korea Republic at the Al Maktoum Stadium on Tuesday.

The result secured third place in Group A for the Emiratis, sending them to a single-leg AFC playoff against Australia in June, with the winner to meet the fifth placed side from CONMEBOL qualifying for a berth at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.
 
Abdalla’s strike also saw Korea Republic leapfrogged by Islamic Republic of Iran at the top of the group, after the East Asian side suffered their first and only defeat of the qualifying cycle.

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Group A: IR Iran too good for Lebanon

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Group A: IR Iran too good for Lebanon

Mashhad: Islamic Republic of Iran completed their AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ schedule in style, eliminating Lebanon from playoff contention with a 2-0 victory at the Imam Reza Stadium on Thursday.

Goals from Sardar Azmoun and Alireza Jahanbakhsh continued Team Melli’s superb form on home soil and ensured they will go into Friday’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ draw full of confidence after an outstanding campaign.

Group B: Vietnam hold Japan to sign off on a high

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

Group B: Vietnam hold Japan to sign off on a high

Saitama: Vietnam secured a historic point to round off their AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ Group B campaign after surviving a second-half onslaught to earn a 1-1 draw against FIFA World Cup-bound Japan at Saitama Stadium on Tuesday.

After defeating Australia on Thursday to confirm their place at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Japan knew a win would guarantee they finish on top of the standings, but they fell behind inside 20 minutes when Nguyen Thanh Binh headed in to stun the home support.

Maya Yoshida levelled proceedings early in the second half but, despite a host of chances and two disallowed goals, the Samurai Blue were unable to bring the curtain down on their group stage with a seventh successive win. 

The result means Japan will fall to second in the standings should Saudi Arabia defeat Australia in Jeddah later on Tuesday, while Vietnam finish bottom of Group B after what has been their maiden appearance in the final round of AFC Asian Qualifiers.

International friendlies wrap: Thailand cruise, Laos sizzle

Mon, 28 Mar, 2022

International friendlies wrap: Thailand cruise, Laos sizzle

Kuala Lumpur: Thailand picked up their second consecutive win, seeing off Suriname in an international friendly on Sunday.

Laos, meanwhile, flexed their muscles to see off Brunei Darussalam.

International friendlies wrap: Bright start for Qatar, Singapore impress

Sun, 27 Mar, 2022

International friendlies wrap: Bright start for Qatar, Singapore impress

Kuala Lumpur: Qatar started their international calendar with an impressive victory on Saturday, Bahrain downed Burundi, while Singapore came out tops in a thrilling win over Malaysia.

India, meanwhile, lost to  Belarus. Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the international friendlies played on Saturday.

Five Takeaways from AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ Matchday Nine

Sat, 26 Mar, 2022

Five Takeaways from AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ Matchday Nine

Dubai: A thrilling day of AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ action produced some big stories across the continent as Saudi Arabia and Japan officially joined Korea Republic and Islamic Republic of Iran as well as hosts Qatar as Asia’s four confirmed representatives on the global stage later this year.

Australia were consigned to finish third, having previously confirmed they cannot mathematically finish any lower. Across the two groups, there was plenty of drama, late goals, managerial debuts gone right and wrong and more. So the-AFC.com takes us through five key takeaways from Matchday Nine.