Mancini expects Saudi Arabia to get even better

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Mancini expects Saudi Arabia to get even better

Amman: Saudi Arabia produced another classy performance to defeat Jordan 2-0 on Tuesday with head coach Roberto Mancini expecting his side to get even better. 

Saleh Al Shehri scored both goals as Saudi Arabia moved to six points in Group G of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.
 
They sit two points ahead of Tajikistan with Jordan five adrift in third place.   

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2992728.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2992730.html

Focused Qatar reap dividends

Fri, 24 Nov, 2023

Focused Qatar reap dividends

Bhubaneswar: Qatar's focus was the key to their 3-0 win over India in Group A of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Tuesday.

Head coach Carlos Queiroz said his side maintained their concentration for the entire match as Qatar made it two wins out of two to open a three-point gap at the top of the standings.

Ali's return a boost for Iraq

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Ali's return a boost for Iraq

Hanoi: Head coach Jesus Casas applauded Mohanad Ali as the forward marked his return to the Iraq national team after a two-year absence with the winning goal against Vietnam on Tuesday.

Ali, who came on in the 61st minute, scored the only goal of the match in the seventh minute of added time as Iraq took a firm grip on the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group F standings.

Japan’s high intensity delights Moriyasu

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Japan’s high intensity delights Moriyasu

Jeddah: Japan continued to impress in the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with a 5-0 success over Syria at the neutral venue of Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium on Tuesday.

The Blue Samurai’s high-octane performance was marked by head coach Hajime Moriyasu as key to their second successive win in Group B that saw them open a three-point gap with DPR Korea and Syria.
 
Moriyasu was also pleased with his team’s high work rate.

Kim: Collective effort secured Malaysia victory

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Kim: Collective effort secured Malaysia victory

Taipei: Head coach Kim Pan-gon said Malaysia showed determination in their hard-fought 1-0 win over Chinese Taipei in Group D of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ at Taipei Municipal Stadium on Tuesday.

Substitute Darren Lok, who was brought in to replace Paulo Josue, scored the winning goal in the 72nd minute as Malaysia maintained their perfect start to the qualification campaign while Chinese Taipei are still in search of points after their opening day defeat to Oman.

Thailand’s Polking hails super-sub Teerasil

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Thailand’s Polking hails super-sub Teerasil

Singapore: Teerasil Dangda came off the bench to devastating effect, helping Thailand secure a 3-1 win over Singapore in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ tie on Tuesday.

Head coach Alexandre Polking waxed lyrical about the evergreen forward who at the age of 35, can still completely change a game - supplying two assists which gave Thailand their first win in Group C.

Arnold pleased with Australia’s consistency

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Arnold pleased with Australia’s consistency

Kuwait City: Australia head coach Graham Arnold praised his players' winning mentality after their 1-0 win over Palestine in Group I of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ at the Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium on Tuesday. 

Harry Souttar scored the only goal of the game to maintain Australia’s 100 percent record, while Palestine are on one point.

Klinsmann praises potent Korea Republic attack

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Klinsmann praises potent Korea Republic attack

Shenzhen: Jurgen Klinsmann was encouraged by the attacking strength Korea Republic showed in the 3-0 win over China PR in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group C tie on Tuesday.

The Taeguk Warriors garnered eight goals against Myanmar and China PR - taking their haul to 19 goals netted and none conceded in their last five international matches.

It’s a daunting prospect for any team to come up against the likes of Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, Hwang Hee-chan and Cho Gue-sung and Klinsmann is counting on them to continue delivering, starting with the fast approaching AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

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.