Matchday One: Five Takeaways

Sun, 08 Sep, 2024

Matchday One: Five Takeaways

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday 1 of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 was a spectacular affair with shock results and outstanding performances.

As the teams prepare for the next round of matches on Tuesday, the-AFC.com takes a look at five talking points from Thursday's action.

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Chance to win exciting prizes with AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Match Predictor

Thu, 05 Sep, 2024

Chance to win exciting prizes with AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Match Predictor

Kuala Lumpur: Exciting prizes are waiting to be won by participating in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Match Predictor on the-AFC.com and the AFC LIVE app with the qualification campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States entering its business end in Asia.  

With 18 national teams from the continent still in contention for places in the global event, the Match Predictor game offers passionate fans from Asia and beyond a chance to win an exciting range of prizes. Participants can enter their predictions for the outcomes of all 90 matches, beginning September 5, and earn points for every correct prediction. 

Iraq's Casas calls for caution, Silhavy vows Oman will bounce back

Fri, 06 Sep, 2024

Iraq's Casas calls for caution, Silhavy vows Oman will bounce back

Basra: While pleased with his side's winning start, head coach Jesus Casas has reminded Iraq that they still have a long way to go to secure a ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Aymen Hussein scored in the 13th minute as Iraq edged Oman 1-0 in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group B tie, with Casas' side looking to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for just the second time in the nation's history. 

Points over performance for Uzbekistan’s Katanec

Sat, 07 Sep, 2024

Points over performance for Uzbekistan’s Katanec

Tashkent: Head coach Srecko Katanec was satisfied despite Uzbekistan having to work hard in their opening AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 match against DPR Korea on Thursday.

Jaloliddin Masharipov gave Uzbekistan a bright start but after missing numerous chances to add to the score, Uzbekistan finished the game in frantic mode as DPR Korea pushed for the equaliser but Katanec was unperturbed as what mattered to the Slovenian were the three points. 

Salami rues wasteful Jordan, Kuwait’s Pizzi delighted with point

Sat, 07 Sep, 2024

Salami rues wasteful Jordan, Kuwait’s Pizzi delighted with point

Amman: Head coach Jamal Salami did not hide his frustration after Jordan let slip a great opportunity to begin their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 campaign with a win on Thursday.

Having taken a 14th minute lead through Mousa Al Tamari in their Group B tie, Jordan proceeded to waste numerous chances and were hurt by Kuwait’s Yousef Al Sulaiman striking home a stoppage time equaliser from the penalty spot.

Kuwait grew into the match following Al Tamari’s injury-forced substitution just after the hour-mark, adding more woe for Salami with Jordan to play Palestine in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

UAE fightback thrills Bento

Sat, 07 Sep, 2024

UAE fightback thrills Bento

Al Rayyan: Paulo Bento heaped praise on his United Arab Emirates players after they showed tremendous fighting spirit to claw their way back from a losing position to stun Qatar 3-1 in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group A clash on Thursday.

Trailing to Ibrahim Al Hassan’s goal, Bento made a tactical switch in the second half which paved the way for Harib Abdalla, Khaled Aldhanhani and Ali Saleh to score as UAE walked away with the three points.

Bento said he opted for his players to focus more on the central areas instead of the flanks and it led to UAE finding more joy in the attacking areas.

IR Iran’s Ghalenoei, Kyrgyz Republic’s Lisitsyn seek improvements

Fri, 06 Sep, 2024

IR Iran’s Ghalenoei, Kyrgyz Republic’s Lisitsyn seek improvements

Fuladshahr: Islamic Republic of Iran made a winning start to their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group A campaign but head coach Amir Ghalenoei feels more is needed if his side are to make a fourth successive FIFA World Cup appearance.

Inter Milan striker Mehdi Taremi scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Kyrgyz Republic but profligacy became a problem in the game, an area in which Ghalenoei is seeking to improve his side when they face a confident United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.

Moriyasu's experience pays off for Japan

Fri, 06 Sep, 2024

Moriyasu's experience pays off for Japan

Saitama: Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said he had learned the lessons of previous struggles in the early matches of the final round in Asia’s FIFA World Cup qualifying to lead the Samurai Blue to a resounding 7-0 victory over China PR at Saitama Stadium on Thursday.

Moriyasu was at the helm four years ago when Japan lost to Oman in their first game of the third round of the preliminaries for Qatar 2022, but there were to be no such issues as the hosts launched their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 campaign in emphatic fashion.

Not even the presence of Ivanko Brankovic, who oversaw Oman’s shock win, could insulate the Chinese from a rampant Japan as Wataru Endo, Kaoru Mitoma, Takumi Minamino – who scored twice – Junya Ito, Daizen Maeda and Takefusa Kubo all found the net.

Shin proud of Indonesia, Mancini laments missed chances

Fri, 06 Sep, 2024

Shin proud of Indonesia, Mancini laments missed chances

Jeddah: Head coach Shin Tae-yong applauded his players after a resilient Indonesia held Saudi Arabia to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group C tie at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Thursday.

Indonesia, who are making their first appearance in the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, took the lead through Ragnar Oratmangoen at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah but were denied victory by Musab Al Juwayr’s equaliser.

We are happy to have given joy to the Palestinian fans, says Daboub

Fri, 06 Sep, 2024

We are happy to have given joy to the Palestinian fans, says Daboub

Seoul: Palestine celebrated their first ever appearance in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ with a goalless draw with Korea Republic, with head coach Makram Daboub expressing happiness for giving joy to their fans.

Korea Republic, seeking an 11th consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup, were expected to cruise in their Group B opener but were left frustrated by a resolute Palestine side with goalkeeper Rami Hamada particularly outstanding. 

Bahrain’s Talajic hails players for sticking to game plan in Australia win

Fri, 06 Sep, 2024

Bahrain’s Talajic hails players for sticking to game plan in Australia win

Gold Coast: Dragan Talajic did not hold back on his praise after Bahrain stunned Australia 1-0 in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group C opener on Thursday. 

Bahrain's first ever win against Australia was sealed when Harry Souttar deflected Abdulla Alkhalasi’s cross from the left into his own net just before the 90-minute mark at Robina Stadium as the West Asian side kicked off their campaign for an inaugural appearance at the FIFA World Cup with a bang.