Preview - Group A: UAE v Korea Republic

Tue, 29 Mar, 2022

Preview - Group A: UAE v Korea Republic

Dubai: Victory is paramount for United Arab Emirates in Tuesday’s final AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ Group A fixture against Korea Republic.

While Korea Republic have already secured their 10th consecutive trip to the FIFA World Cup finals, Emirati hopes hang firmly in the balance going into Matchday 10.

Currently occupying third place in the group, and sitting one point ahead of Iraq, a win on Thursday’s Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side will confirm their place in June’s qualification playoffs, while a draw or defeat will leave their fate resting on Iraq’s result across town against Syria.

Preview - Group A: IR Iran v Lebanon

Tue, 29 Mar, 2022

Preview - Group A: IR Iran v Lebanon

Mashhad: Lebanon will look to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, while Islamic Republic of Iran's focus rests on clinching top spot in Group A when the two sides meet in their final AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ Group A fixture on Thursday.

A 3-0 home loss to already-eliminated Syria last time out did severe damage to Lebanon’s hopes of reaching their first ever global Finals via June’s playoffs but results elsewhere mean Ivan Hašek’s retain a glimmer of hope going into Matchday 10.

Preview - Group B: Oman v China PR

Mon, 28 Mar, 2022

Preview - Group B: Oman v China PR

Muscat: China PR captain Wu Xi will be available for selection when Li Xiaopeng’s side take on Oman in Muscat on Tuesday in the nations’ final clash in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.

Wu was ruled out of the 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia in Sharjah on Thursday after picking up two yellow cards during the previous qualifiers and handed over the captain’s armband to defender Zhang Linpeng.

Preview – Group B: Japan v Vietnam

Mon, 28 Mar, 2022

Preview – Group B: Japan v Vietnam

Saitama: There will be a celebratory atmosphere at Saitama Stadium on Tuesday as Japan round off their AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ campaign at home to Group B’s bottom side Vietnam. 

The Samurai Blue secured qualification to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ by defeating Australia 2-0 in Sydney on Matchday Nine last Thursday as they progressed to the global showpiece for the seventh successive time. 

Currently a point ahead of second-placed Saudi Arabia, a win over the Vietnamese on Matchday Ten would ensure Hajime Moriyasu’s team finish on top of the standings. 

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.