Samuel applauds Chinese Taipei’s winning mentality

Fri, 13 Oct, 2023

Samuel applauds Chinese Taipei’s winning mentality

Kaohsiung City: Chinese Taipei’s Ange Samuel believes experience and confidence were the keys for their 4-0 win over Timor-Leste in their Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ first leg tie on Thursday. 

Chinese Taipei took a 1-0 lead going into the break before overwhelming their opponents in the second half to leave Timor-Leste with a mountain to climb heading into Tuesday’s return leg.

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Andersen delighted, Dorji remains hopeful

Fri, 13 Oct, 2023

Andersen delighted, Dorji remains hopeful

Hong Kong: Head coach Jorn Andersen was delighted with his Hong Kong, China's first half display in their 4-0 win over Bhutan on Thursday as the east Asians took a huge step towards qualifying for the second round of the Preliminary Joint Qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Michael Udebuluzor scored twice with his head in the opening 15 minutes to give the home side the perfect start before Shinichi Chan and an own goal from Tenzin Norbu gave Andersen’s team a four-goal cushion at the interval.
 
But while Matt Orr hit the post in the dying moments of the game, Hong Kong, China were unable to add to their haul with a lacklustre second half performance that took some of the gloss off a comfortable win.

Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1: Results & Reports

Thu, 12 Oct, 2023

Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1: Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: The quest to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ begins for 20 Asian teams on Thursday in the Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1.

Having been divided into 10 pairings at the official draw ceremony two months ago, these sides will play two-legged ties – one home and one away match, with the return leg on Tuesday.  
 
The winners on aggregate of each pairing then proceed to Round 2, where they join the remaining 26 Member Associations to continue their campaign.
 
Stay updated on all the action with the-AFC.com.

Round 1: Chinese Taipei 4-0 Timor-Leste

Thu, 12 Oct, 2023

Round 1: Chinese Taipei 4-0 Timor-Leste

Kaohsiung City: Chinese Taipei were in top form to defeat Timor-Leste 4-0 in their Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ tie on Thursday 

The result places the East Asian side firmly in the driver’s seat going into Tuesday’s return leg. 

Round 1: Yemen 3-0 Sri Lanka

Fri, 13 Oct, 2023

Round 1: Yemen 3-0 Sri Lanka

Abha: Yemen took a significant step towards the next round, defeating Sri Lanka 3-0 at Damac Club Stadium in the first leg of the Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday.

The emphatic win placed the West Asian side in a comfortable position ahead of the second leg on Tuesday. 

Round 1: Indonesia 6-0 Brunei Darussalam

Thu, 12 Oct, 2023

Round 1: Indonesia 6-0 Brunei Darussalam

Jakarta: Indonesia cruised to a 6-0 victory over Brunei Darussalam in the first leg of the Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Thursday.

Early goals from Dimas Drajad and Rizky Ridho had the hosts 2-0 up at half-time before substitute Ramadhan Sananta added a brace after the restart.

Dimas netted his second with a little under 20 minutes to play and his hat-trick in stoppage time to wrap up a comfortable night for the Indonesians.

Round 1: Hong Kong, China 4-0 Bhutan

Thu, 12 Oct, 2023

Round 1: Hong Kong, China 4-0 Bhutan

Hong Kong: Michael Udebuluzor’s early double sent Hong Kong, China on their way to a 4-0 win over Bhutan at Hong Kong Stadium in the Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday to move a step closer to a place in the next round.

Udebuluzor, making only his second start for the territory, headed home in the 10th and 15th minutes before goals from Shinichi Chan and Bhutan’s Tenzin Norbu ensured Jorn Andersen’s side go to Thimphu on Tuesday confident of progressing.