Preview - Group B: China PR v Saudi Arabia

Wed, 23 Mar, 2022

Preview - Group B: China PR v Saudi Arabia

Sharjah: Saudi Arabia head coach Herve Renard will welcome back Al Hilal playmaker Salman Al Faraj as the Frenchman attempts to secure automatic qualification for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ on Thursday with victory over China PR in Sharjah.

Al Faraj missed the games against Oman and Japan earlier this year due to injury as the Saudis saw their lead at the top of Group B whittled down to a solitary point, but the influential 32-year-old’s return will bolster Renard’s side for the crucial game against the Chinese.

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ in Numbers

Tue, 22 Mar, 2022

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ in Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: The final round of AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ is upon us with third place still to play for in Group A and two automatic tickets for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ up for grabs in Group B ahead of Matchdays Nine and Ten.

The Islamic Republic of Iran and Korea Republic have already progressed but will battle it out for top spot in Group A, where three teams are competing for the playoff berth in third place. In Group B, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Australia are all aiming to finish in the top two positions. 

It’s been a thrilling ride in the final round of AFC Asian Qualifiers to date, and we highlight some of the numbers that stand out.

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™: How Group A stands

Fri, 18 Mar, 2022

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™: How Group A stands

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ campaign has reached the home straight as the sides get set for their concluding Matchdays Nine and Ten encounters in the week ahead. 

In Group A, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Korea Republic have already guaranteed their progression and will now battle it out for the top spot. Below them, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Iraq remain in the mix for third place and the playoff ticket. 

With the upcoming games to be held on March 24 and March 29, the-AFC.com looks at how things stand ahead of the final two rounds of fixtures.

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™: How Group B stands

Fri, 18 Mar, 2022

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™: How Group B stands

Kuala Lumpur: It’s crunch time in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ campaign as three teams battle it out for two automatic qualification places at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. 

Saudi Arabia lead the way but Japan are hot on their heels while Australia – who still have to play the top two – remain firmly in the running as the group gets set for a thrilling finale.

With the Matchdays Nine and Ten fixtures to be played on March 24 and March 29, the-AFC.com looks at the state of play ahead of the final two rounds of fixtures.

AFC Asian Qualifiers: Five classic Australia v Japan encounters

Wed, 23 Mar, 2022

AFC Asian Qualifiers: Five classic Australia v Japan encounters

Sydney: The stakes could scarcely be higher when Australia and Japan meet in Thursday’s crucial AFC Asian Qualifiers-Road to Qatar™ clash and, for the last 15 years or so, that has been par for the course.

Ever since Australia became a part of the Asian Football Confederation in 2006, the two nations have been virtually inseparable, meeting in every FIFA World Cup™ qualification cycle and two blockbuster AFC Asian Cup™ clashes, including the 2011 final in Doha.
 
They don’t share a border, or a language, and they had only met a handful of times prior to the 1990s but the Socceroos and Samurai Blue have since developed one of the continent’s most compelling footballing rivalries, with almost every meeting between them coming at a crucial time, and invariably taking on blockbuster status.
 
Their next fixture comfortably fulfills those criteria.

Procedures for the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ released

Tue, 22 Mar, 2022

Procedures for the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ released

Zurich: As the biggest milestone ahead of football’s flagship event fast approaches, the procedures for the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ are now available.

Fans and teams will find out their paths to possible glory on 1 April from 19:00 (local time), at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center at which time 29 out of the 32 participants will be known.

Renard: I want us to top the AFC Asian Qualifiers, and the job is not over yet

Tue, 22 Mar, 2022

Renard: I want us to top the AFC Asian Qualifiers, and the job is not over yet

Sharjah: Saudi Arabia head coach Hervé Renard believes his side deserve to finish top of their group in the AFC Asian Qualifiers-Road to Qatar™ ahead of the decisive last two fixtures against China PR and Australia.

The Green Falcons have been in the top two of the group from day one of the qualifiers and moved past Australia into first place after Matchday Four, when the Socceroos were beaten by Japan and Saudi Arabia defeated China PR 3-2.

A 2-0 reversal against Japan in Saitama in their most recent outing – their first loss of the campaign -  meant Renard’s men would have to wait for the final window to confirm qualification to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, but with a one-point advantage over Japan and a four-point cushion over third placed Australia, the Saudis know their fate is in their hands.

Beating China PR was a gift for the fans, says Vietnam skipper Hung Dung

Tue, 22 Mar, 2022

Beating China PR was a gift for the fans, says Vietnam skipper Hung Dung

Hanoi: When Vietnam defeated China PR 3-1 on Matchday Eight of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™, not only did the Golden Star Warriors pick up their first points in Group B, they also achieved one of the greatest results in their history by overcoming their neighbours for the first time.

Making their maiden appearance in the final round of AFC Asian Qualifiers, the Southeast Asians had until then found the step up tough, with seven straight defeats preceding the famous win at the My Dinh Stadium.