Know your team: Afghanistan

Fri, 06 Sep, 2024

Know your team: Afghanistan

Kuala Lumpur: Afghanistan will be aiming to continue their dream run when they compete in Group C of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024.

Set to make their debut on the global stage, the Central Asian nation will have to compete against Angola, Argentina and Ukraine for a place in the Round of 16.

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Shaikh Salman: “We can expect more history from our teams in Uzbekistan”

Wed, 04 Sep, 2024

Shaikh Salman: “We can expect more history from our teams in Uzbekistan”

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has outlined his confidence in Uzbekistan ahead of the FIFA Futsal World Cup as the host nation prepares to stage its first-ever FIFA tournament in history later this week.

Uzbekistan will become the fourth AFC Member Association to host the FIFA Futsal World Cup, after Hong Kong, China (1992), Chinese Taipei (2004) and Thailand (2012) as the global showpiece takes place across the cities of Andijan, Bukhara and capital Tashkent from September 14 to October 6, 2024.

Preview - Group E, MD3: Austria v Japan

Sat, 07 Sep, 2024

Preview - Group E, MD3: Austria v Japan

Bogota: Japan will look to confirm top spot when they face Austria in their final FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Colombia 2024 Group E tie on Sunday.

Both teams have already secured their berths in the Round of 16 after two consecutive wins with Japan ahead on goal difference.

Preview - Group F, MD3: Netherlands v DPR Korea

Sat, 07 Sep, 2024

Preview - Group F, MD3: Netherlands v DPR Korea

Cali: DPR Korea will be eyeing another goal fest when they meet the Netherlands in their final FIFA U-20 Women's World Colombia 2024 Group F tie on Sunday.

The reigning AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup champions only need a draw to top the group but such has been the potency of their performances that they will be expecting a third win on the trot.

Group A: Australia 0-2 Cameroon

Sat, 07 Sep, 2024

Group A: Australia 0-2 Cameroon

Bogota: Australia’s campaign in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024 came to an end following a 2-0 defeat to Cameroon in their final Group A tie on Friday.

Australia finished bottom of the standings after their third consecutive loss, while Cameroon secured their progression to the knockout stage as one of the best third placed sides.

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.