Latest news with #AFCAsianQualifiers–Roadto26
Qatar Living
6 days ago
- Sport
- Qatar Living
Qatar, Saudi Arabia to host AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 Playoffs
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) officially announced that the Qatar Football Association and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation will serve as the Host Member Associations for the upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 Playoffs. The AFC, in an official statement, added that six teams — the third and fourth-placed sides from the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26, namely Indonesia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE — will be divided into two groups of three teams. These teams will compete in a centralised format competition from October 8 to 14, with the two group winners securing the remaining automatic berths at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Subsequently, the runners-up from each group will face off in a two-legged AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 Playoffs Knockout Stage on November 13 and 18, with the winner advancing to the FIFA Play-off Tournament. The official draw is scheduled to be held on July 17. --- Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content. Instagram - @qatarliving X - @qatarliving Facebook - Qatar Living YouTube - qatarlivingofficial
Gulf Today
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Kyrgyzstan hold UAE, Japan and South Korea celebrate WC qualification with big wins
Kyrgyzstan's never-say-die attitude saw them grab a last-gasp goal to hold UAE to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 Group A tie on Tuesday. Kyrgyzstan's late salvo at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium saw them end their campaign on eight points while Cosmin Olaroiu continues to wait for his first win as UAE head coach with his side finishing on 15 points. With UAE's progress to the playoffs and Kyrgyzstan's elimination already decided going into the match, the game saw a cagey start before the visitors stole into the lead at the half hour mark. Valerii Kichin was dispossessed by Luanzinho at the halfway line, with the UAE midfielder driving forward before laying the ball off for Harib Abdalla to strike home past the advancing Erzhan Tokotaev. Abdalla was once again put through in the 41st minute but this time Tokotaev was quicker to react, forcing the forward to drag his shot wide. Deep into first half added time, Kichin went close to making amends for his earlier error when he produced a low shot from distance that UAE custodian Ali Al Hosani reacted well to push onto the box. Kyrgyzstan emerged after the interval a different side as they looked to put more pressure on the UAE defence. Ermek Kenzhenbaev's attempt from distance took multiple deflections and was easily claimed by Al Hosani before Joel Kojo set up Kimi Merk inside the box, only for the latter to crash his shot against a UAE defender. With 10 minutes of regulation time remaining, Kojo had a close range header caught by Al Hosani but Kyrgyzstan fought until the very end, eventually finding the equaliser through Kai Merk in stoppage time. Uzbekistan closed their campaign with a commanding 3-0 win over Qatar. Timur Kapadze's men, who have already booked their spot in their first FIFA World Cup Finals, finished with 21 points from 10 matches. Qatar will have to navigate the playoffs, where two additional places at next year's global showpiece are up for grabs. The West Asians finished fourth in Group A with 13 points. Uzbekistan dominated Qatar after a slow start, with early chances from Amro Syrag, Husniddin Aliqulov, and Eldor Shomurodov. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Azizbek Turgunboev beat two defenders and blasted a shot in off the bar, leaving Salah Zakaria helpless. Shomurodov and Jaloliddin Masharipov kept Qatar under pressure, with Masharipov nearly scoring after the break. Zakaria made several key saves, including denying Khojiakbar Alijonov in the 63rd minute. Shomurodov doubled the lead in the 86th minute, controlling a long pass and finishing clinically. Igor Sergeev sealed the 3–0 win in stoppage time with a close-range header shortly after coming on. Zakaria's efforts in goal kept the score respectable for Qatar. Elsewhere, Crystal Palace forward Daichi Kamada scored twice for Japan and Paris Saint Germain's Lee Kang-in netted for South Korea as the Asian giants rounded off successful World Cup qualifying campaigns in style. Japan romped to a 6-0 thrashing of Patrick Kluivert's Indonesia in Osaka, while South Korea cruised to a 4-0 win over Kuwait in Seoul where fans were treated to a late appearance by their idol Son Heung-min. FA Cup winner Kamada struck twice in the first half for already qualified Japan, who finished as Group C winners. Takefusa Kubo, Ryoya Morishita, Shuto Machino and substitute Mao Hosoya were also on target against Indonesia, who came fourth in the group and moved on to a further qualifying round. Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu has set the ambitious target of winning next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Moriyasu said his players need to keep improving 'in all departments' and praised their attitude against Indonesia. 'The challenge for the players is to break past their limits and grow,' he said. Wang Yudong's 90th-minute penalty enabled already eliminated China to avoid finishing bottom of Group C with a consolation 1-0 win over Bahrain in Chongqing.
Dubai Eye
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Dubai Eye
UAE held by Kyrgyzstan in World Cup qualifier
Kyrgyzstan's never-say-die attitude saw them grab a last-gasp goal to hold the UAE to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 Group A clash on Tuesday. The late salvo at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek saw Kyrgyzstan end their campaign on eight points while Cosmin Olaroiu continues to wait for his first win as UAE head coach with his side finishing on 15 points. The result qualifies the UAE for the AFC play-offs in October that lead to the World Cup. With the UAE's progress to the playoffs and Kyrgyzstan's elimination already decided going into the match, the game saw a cagey start before the visitors stole into the lead at the half hour mark. The UAE's goal was scored by Harib Abdullah, while Kai Merk scored for Kyrgyzstan in the 90+5 minute. In another match within the same group, Uzbekistan closed their campaign with a commanding 3-0 win over Qatar. Timur Kapadze's men, who have already booked their spot in their first FIFA World Cup, finished with 21 points from 10 matches. Qatar finished fourth in Group A with 13 points, also qualifying for the AFC play-offs.
Saudi Gazette
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia face uphill task against Australia in World Cup qualifier
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia must deliver a miracle on Tuesday if they are to secure direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, needing to beat Australia by at least five goals in their final Group C fixture of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26. Herve Renard's men kept their hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Bahrain last week, moving to 13 points — three behind second-placed Australia. But with a goal difference heavily in the Socceroos' favor, only a lopsided victory will be enough to leapfrog them in the standings. 'The door is almost closed, but we must try and qualify,' Renard said after the Bahrain match. 'We have to score goals. Everything must go very well for us if we are to qualify.' Saudi Arabia's biggest challenge remains their scoring inefficiency. They've managed just six goals across nine qualifiers, while Australia have netted 14 and conceded six in the same stretch. Australia, under new coach Tony Popovic, only need to avoid a five-goal defeat to book their seventh straight World Cup appearance. Popovic replaced Graham Arnold in September after a poor start to the campaign and has since overseen a dramatic turnaround. 'We're in a great position, but we need to finish it off,' Popovic said. 'It's been a really intense period, but everyone's embraced what we're aiming to do.' Group leaders Japan have already secured top spot. If Saudi Arabia fail to pull off the required win, they will join the likes of UAE, Qatar, Iraq, and Indonesia in the next round of qualifiers in October, where two additional spots for Asia will be contested. The Saudis now face their most daunting test yet. Only a performance of historic proportions against Australia in Jeddah will keep their direct World Cup dreams alive.
Saudi Gazette
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia beat Bahrain to stay in World Cup qualification hunt
Saudi Gazette report RIFFA — Saudi Arabia kept their hopes of automatic qualification alive with a 2-0 victory over Bahrain in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 on Thursday. The result lifted Herve Renard's side to 13 points, setting up a decisive showdown with group leaders Australia next Tuesday. The Saudis must win that match by at least four goals to overtake the Socceroos on goal difference and secure second place. The Green Falcons asserted themselves early at Bahrain National Stadium. A long-range pass from Hassan Al Tambakti found Ali Majrashi in space, but the fullback's second touch allowed Bahrain goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla to close down quickly. Saudi Arabia found their breakthrough in the 16th minute. Captain Salem Al Dawsari delivered a pinpoint first-time cross to the far post, where Musab Al Juwayr — recently named Saudi Pro League Young Player of the Season — calmly sidefooted the ball home. Bahrain responded with long-range efforts from Komail Al Aswad and Mohamed Marhoon, but neither troubled Saudi keeper Nawaf Al Aqidi. Al Dawsari had a chance to double the lead in the 40th minute after a clever through-ball from Aiman Yahya, but his chipped finish drifted just over the bar. After the break, Saudi Arabia pressed for a second. Feras Albrikan had the ball in the net just before the hour mark, but the goal was disallowed for offside in the buildup. Bahrain nearly equalized in the 68th minute, but Marhoon's strike off a low cross from Ebrahim Alkhatal struck the post. Five minutes later, Al Aqidi produced a double save to deny Vincent Emmanuel and Mahdi Abduljabbar in quick succession. With Bahrain pushing forward in search of a goal, Saudi Arabia capitalized. In the closing minutes, Majrashi played a through ball to substitute Abduralrahman Alobud, who finished clinically to seal the 2-0 win. Saudi Arabia now face a high-stakes final group match against Australia, where only a convincing +5 goals win will send them directly to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
