IFFHS REPORT - AFC ASIAN CUP (Round 1)
Picture : Saudi Arabia earned a late victory !
AFC Asian Cup, Qatar 2023
Week 1 Review
Host Qatar and Socceroos dash into the knockout
The Blue Tigers - India are almost out of the tournament with both the games lost!
Doha, Qatar
Most of the Asian powerhouses kicked off their AFC Asian Cup mission with a winning note .
The AFC Asian Cup, which was earlier scheduled in China had to be moved out to Qatar following COVID 19 pandemic.
Qatar had all the world class logistics , infrastructure and stadium ready at the disposal, which was well appreciated by the football world during the FIFA World Cup in November-December 2022.
Host Qatar seized the opportunity on the ground too by winning both the games played so far and booking their place in the knockout. The defending champions, Qatar became the first team to book a place in the AFC Asian Cup knockout stage after a 1-0 win against Tajikistan in a Group A game.
Qatar star Akram Afif was star of the show with the winning goal .
Socceroos, Australia too cruised to the knockout following winning wave in both the opening game in group B. Indian Blue Tigers though made Aussies fight hard for their opener win. Win over Syria has gauranteed Aussies the knockout birth.
India on the other hand, almost have to pack their bags following both the defeats in their opening games against Australia and Kazakhstan. Win over India and draw with Syria has almost put kazakistan's one foot in the knockout.
Asian powerhouses like Japan, South Korea who stunned the world with shocking wins over European giants in the FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022, dribbled AFC Asian Cup challenge with elegant wins in other groups.
Yellow card to Kim Son of Korea was a matter of concerned for their coach Jurgen Klinsmann. Japan's European stars like Minimino shined in their first outing in AFC Asian Cup, Qatar in a six goal galore match.
Iran, Iraq and United Arab Emirates, Jordan another Asian strong challengers resumed their flawless performances in their opening games with emphatic wins .
Emerging South East Asian talent Thailand made the promising winning start and were the most eye-catching outfit.
All results at a glance till Thursday 18th January 2024 -
Grp A
Qatar 3 vs Lebanon 0
(A. Afif 45', 90
+6,
A. Ali 56')
...
Grp B
Australia 2 vs India 0
(J. Irvine 50'
J. Bos 73')
...
Grp A
China 0 vs Tajikistan 0
...
Grp B
Uzbekistan 0 vs Syria 0
...
Grp D
Japan 4 vs Vietnam 2
(T. Minamino 11', 45'
K. Nakamura 45+4'
A. Ueda 85')
(Đ. Nguyễn 16'
T. H. Phạm 33)
....
Grp C
United Arab Emirates 3 vs Hongkong 1
(S. Alamiri 34' (P)
Z. S Jassim 52'
Y. Al-Ghassani 90+5' (P))
Goals
(S. Chan 49')
...
Grp C
Iran 4 vs Palestine 1
(K. Ansarifard 2'
S. Khalilzadeh 12'
M. Ghayedi 38'
S. Azmoun 55')
Goals
(T. Seyam 45+6')
...
Grp E
South Korea 3 vs Bahrain 1
(I. HWANG 38'
K. Lee 56', 68')
Goals
(A. Al Hashash 51')
...
Grp D
Indonesia 1 vs Iraq 3
(M. Ferdinan 37')
Goals
(M. A 17'
O. Rashid 45+7'
A. Hussein 75)
...
Grp E
Malaysia 0 vs Jordan 4
(A. Al Mardhi 12', 32'
M. Al-Taamari 18' (P), 85')
...
Grp F
Thailand 2 vs Kyrgyzstan 0
(S. Jaided 26', 48')
Goals
...
Grp F
Saudi Arabia 2 vs Oman 1
(A. Ghareeb 78'
A. Al Bulaihi 90+6')
Goals
(S. Al-Yahyaei 14' (P))
...
Grp A
Lebanon 0 vs China 0
...
Grp A
Tajikistan 0 vs Qatar 1
(A. Afif 17')
...
Grp B
Syria 0 vs Australia 1
(J. Irvine 59)
...
India 0 vs Kazakhstan 3
........
Match of the Week
Saudi Arabia 2 vs Oman 1
Second half injury-time last minute goal, VAR drama saved the day for Saudi Arabia as they came from a goal behind to beat gutsy Oman in AFC Asian Cup encounter.
Goals from Abdulrahman Ghareeb and Ali Al Bulayhi earned Saudi Arabia a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Oman in Group F of the AFC Asian Cup, Qatar 2023 at Khalifa International Stadium.
Saudi Arabia recently is making waves in international football world with signing global superstars for Roshn Saudi Pro League (SPL) and succesful organisation of the FIFA Club World Cup.
They have great memories of Qatar, when Saudis also shocked the World by defeating Lionel Messi's eventual FIFA World Cup winners Argentina in the FIFA World Cup opener game.
But, Oman tested them their own shocker medicine, and led for over an hour of the match. But, a late resurgence from the Saudis secured their first three points.
The crowd thought Saudi Arabia had equalised when Ahmed Al Khamisi missed his attempt to clear Saud Abdulhamid’s cross from the right and the ball found its way to Sami Al Naji who had the goal at his mercy from five yards out, but the attacking midfielder was caught off-guard and was unable to take his chance.
Oman had to be rescued by goalkeeper Ibrahim Al Mukhaini when Mohammed Kanno sent a diagonal ball into the box that was headed back across by Abdulhamid and Abdullah Fawaz’s attempt to intercept it almost resulted in an own goal if it wasn’t for the quick reflexes of Al Mukhaini who kept his side in the lead at the break.
Saudi Arabia continued pushing forward in pursuit of an equaliser after the restart and came close after eight minutes when Kanno cut inside from the left and looked to find the bottom corner, but Al Mukhaini was alert to the threat and made the save. Saleh Al Shehri nearly found the leveller when he chested down the ball inside the box and hit it on the half-volley, but his effort passed just over the crossbar.