Japan defeat Australia to get back on track

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Japan defeat Australia to get back on track

Saitama: Aziz Behich’s late own goal handed Japan a much-needed 2-1 win over Australia as the Samurai Blue picked up their second victory in Group B of the Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar at the Saitama Stadium on Tuesday.

Behich bundled the ball over his own line after Maty Ryan struggled to deal with Takmua Asano’s looping shot, which came back off the post before being redirected into the Socceroos’ goal.
 
The win earns Japan a FIFA World Cup lifeline after only one win in their previous three matches and came after Ajdin Hrustic had cancelled out Ao Tanaka’s early effort with a stunning 69th minute free-kick.

Egy Maulana determined to steer Indonesia to China 2023

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Egy Maulana determined to steer Indonesia to China 2023

Buriram: Egy Maulana turned in a sterling performance to guide Indonesia to a 3-0 win over Chinese Taipei in the second leg of their AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifiers playoff on Monday and then immediately set his sights on guiding the Southeast Asian side to the Finals.

Indonesia defeated Chinese Taipei 5-1 on aggregate and will join 23 others teams vying for the 11 remaining places in the China 2023 Finals.

100 days countdown to the greatest show in Asian women’s football

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

100 days countdown to the greatest show in Asian women’s football

Kuala Lumpur: With 100 days to go for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) have today unveiled ‘Our Goal for All’ as the official tagline of the anticipated showpiece.

The tagline highlights the commitment and determination of the AFC and the LOC, amidst the backdrop of the pandemic, to showcase the best of Asian women’s football in India where the Continent’s top 12 teams will contend for the prestigious title from January 20 to February 6, 2022, across Navi Mumbai, Mumbai and Pune.
 
AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “India 2022 promises to be another spectacular celebration of the women’s game throughout the Continent. Together with the LOC, we are confident that the upcoming edition will showcase the resolve of the Asian football family towards staging a truly memorable tournament. 
 
“Our Goal for All, demonstrates the unity and the collective effort of the Asian football family to create a brighter future for women’s football by staging a world-class spectacle that will leave a legacy in the women’s game for many years to come.”
 
Meanwhile, All India Football Federation (AIFF) President and LOC Chairman, Praful Patel said: “We are extremely excited on reaching yet another milestone on the path to hosting Asia’s flagship women’s tournament in India. Our Goal for All is a fitting representation of the values of our tournament. 
 
“The AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ belongs to every woman and football lover across the Continent. It stands for the unified efforts of all stakeholders in creating a bright future for women’s football that keeps encompassing unchartered ground.” 
 
A total of 12 teams - four more than the last four editions – will make their way to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ which include reigning champions Japan, 2018 runners-up Australia, third-placed China PR and hosts India. 
 
They will be joined by Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Korea Republic, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam following an exciting AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ Qualifiers with two more teams set to qualify later this month. 
 
Adding to the excitement of the competition, the top five teams in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ will also qualify to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia/New Zealand 2023.

Preview: Dutch duo clash as UAE host Iraq in AFC Asian Qualifiers must-win

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview: Dutch duo clash as UAE host Iraq in AFC Asian Qualifiers must-win

Dubai: Two Dutch coaching luminaries will meet when United Arab Emirates and Iraq meet in Tuesday's crucial AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar Matchday Four clash.

With group pacesetters Islamic Republic of Iran and Korea Republic to cross paths in Tehran, also Tuesday, the opportunity is there for either UAE or Iraq to get their respective Final Round campaigns on track after slow starts.

Preview: Korea Republic chase history in blockbuster against IR Iran

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview: Korea Republic chase history in blockbuster against IR Iran

Tehran: Korea Republic have never won in the Islamic Republic of Iran, but Paulo Bento’s side will see Tuesday’s top-of-the-table AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar clash as the perfect time to put that record right.

Seven times the Korea Republic men’s national team have ventured to Tehran, and a pair of draws – in 1977 and 2009 – are the best it has ever got for a team which has historically been one of Asia’s giants.

Wu Lei: Beating Real Madrid was a morale-booster for the AFC Asian Qualifiers

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Wu Lei: Beating Real Madrid was a morale-booster for the AFC Asian Qualifiers

Doha: When China PR and Vietnam met last Thursday in the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar,  both teams knew they had to win. Having each suffered back-to-back losses in Group B, they knew they needed nothing short of victory in their third outing.

In what proved to be a thriller, the Chinese ran out 3-2 winners courtesy of their go-to star, Wu Lei. The Espanyol man initiated a move from which Zhang Yuning broke the deadlock, before scoring a brace as his side kept their hopes still alive.