Groups finalised for Qatar 2022 & China 2023 race

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Groups finalised for Qatar 2022 & China 2023 race

Kuala Lumpur: The Round Two draw of the Asian Qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 concluded in the Malaysian capital on Wednesday.

The draw, conducted by FIFA Director of Competitions Christian Unger and Australian legend Tim Cahill, saw Asia's top ranked team Islamic Republic of Iran pooled in Group C alongside Iraq, Bahrain, Hong Kong and Cambodia.

Iran will be aiming for a third consecutive appearance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, having narrowly missed on qualifying for the knockout stage in Russia 2018.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/hasan_al_haydos-qatar-trophy_lift.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/tim_cahill-fifa-2022_draw.html

Classic Qualifiers: Australia v Syria, 2017

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Classic Qualifiers: Australia v Syria, 2017

Kuala Lumpur: With the Asian Qualifiers draw for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 upon us, we continue our look at classic matches of the past with an epic encounter on the road to Russia 2018.

Separated by the full width of the Asian confederation, Australia and Syria had little in common when they met in a hotly-contested two-legged play-off in October 2017, but it took 210 minutes and the width of a goalpost to separate them in what proved to be a modern-day classic.

Classic Qualifiers: Saudi Arabia v Bahrain, 2009

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Classic Qualifiers: Saudi Arabia v Bahrain, 2009

Kuala Lumpur: As the countdown to Wednesday’s Asian Qualifiers draw for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 continues, the-AFC.com takes a look back at another great qualifying match of the past.

Few qualifiers in history have produced the drama seen in the World Cup qualifying play-off between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in September 2009, where it took until the final seconds to decide the final Asian playoff.

Classic Qualifiers: Uzbekistan v Tajikistan, 1996

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Classic Qualifiers: Uzbekistan v Tajikistan, 1996

Kuala Lumpur: With just two days until Wednesday’s eagerly awaited Asian Qualifiers draw for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, the-AFC.com continues its look back at some classic qualifying matches of yesteryear.

Entering the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers for the first time, Central Asian rivals Uzbekistan and Tajikistan played out a remarkable two-legged affair in 1996, with the White Wolves pulling off an incredible comeback to qualify 5-4 on aggregate after being 4-0 down.

Classic Qualifiers: Japan v IR Iran, 1997

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Classic Qualifiers: Japan v IR Iran, 1997

Kuala Lumpur: As fans across the Continent prepare for Wednesday’s Asian Qualifiers draw for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the unforgettable qualifying clashes of years past.

We kick off by recalling the epic FIFA World Cup France 1998 qualifying playoff between Japan and Islamic Republic of Iran, which sent the Samurai Blue to the Finals for the first time in their history.

Cambodia's progress is Dalmas' concern

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Cambodia's progress is Dalmas' concern

Doha: Cambodia head coach Felix Dalmas is more concerned about the continued development of his team rather than immediate results after the Southeast Asians safely negotiated their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 Preliminary Joint Qualification tie against Pakistan on Tuesday.

Cambodia staged a come from behind win as they defeated Pakistan 2-1 in the second leg in Doha to advance 4-1 on aggregate.

Dalmas, while pleased that Cambodia will now take their place in the draw for the next round of the Asian Qualifiers, said they will be practical in their approach.

History making Mongolia's journey only just beginning

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

History making Mongolia's journey only just beginning

Bandar Seri Begawan: Mongolia must be prepared to work even harder if they want to continue making history after advancing to the next stage of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 Joint Qualification on Tuesday.

The East Asians saw off a strong challenge from Brunei, who had drawn level 2-2 on aggregate by the end of the first half at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.

Mongolian captain Norjmoo Tsedenbal, however, had the final say as he struck a penalty two minutes into the second half to ensure his team advanced to the second round for the first time in their history.