Tag: AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023

by Abhishek Shukla

Ma Ning to referee AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Final

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed that Ma Ning from China PR will take charge of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Final on Saturday, which will be staged at the iconic Lusail Stadium.
 
Ma will become the first match official from China PR to oversee an AFC Asian Cup™ Final when he blows the whistle at 6pm to kick off the showdown between Jordan and Qatar in the 18th edition of Asia’s crown jewel.
 
This will be Ma’s fourth assignment at Qatar 2023, having refereed the Group E fixture between Korea Republic and Bahrain, the Round of 16 match between Qatar and Palestine, and the Quarter-final between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Japan. It will be his fifth AFC Asian Cup™ match, after his debut at the 2019 edition.
 
Having started his refereeing journey in college, Ma became a national referee a few years after graduating in 2003 and began to officiate in the Chinese Super League in 2010 before becoming a FIFA referee in 2011.
 
He has refereed 37 matches at the AFC Champions League, including the second leg of the 2022 Final between Urawa Red Diamonds and Al Hilal SFC, having also officiated at the AFC Cup, AFC U23 Asian Cup and FIFA U17 World Cup Poland 2019.
 
The Liaoning native featured at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as a fourth official in six matches – marking the first appearance of China PR officials at a FIFA World Cup in 20 years.
 
In the Final, Ma will be well supported by assistant referees Zhou Fei and Zhang Cheng, both from China PR, while Uzbekistan duo Tantashev Ilgiz and Tsapenko Andrey are the fourth official and reserve assistant referee respectively. China PR’s Fu Ming is the Video Assistant Referee and will be assisted by Japan’s Iida Jumpei.

by Abhishek Shukla

Jordan Dominates Malaysia in AFC Asian Cup Group E Opener

Al Wakrah, 16th January 2024: Jordan’s AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 campaign in Group E commenced with a resounding 4-0 victory over Malaysia at Al Janoub Stadium. The Jordanian team showcased a dominant performance, taking a strong 3-0 lead into halftime against a Malaysian side that struggled to match their intensity.

Jordan’s tactical prowess and high energy were evident throughout the match, as they consistently outmaneuvered the Malaysian defense. This comprehensive win sets a strong precedent for Jordan in the tournament, as they look to build on this momentum in their subsequent group stage matches.

For Malaysia, the match was a challenging introduction to the competition, highlighting areas for improvement as they progress through the tournament. The Malaysian team will aim to regroup and strategize for their upcoming fixtures, drawing lessons from this defeat.

Overall, the match was a clear demonstration of Jordan’s capabilities on the Asian football stage, and it will be interesting to see how they fare in their upcoming encounters in the AFC Asian Cup.

by Abhishek Shukla

Iraq Triumphs Over Indonesia in AFC Asian Cup Group D Clash

Al Rayyan, 16th January 2024: Iraq marked a victorious start in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Group D journey with a decisive 3-1 win against Indonesia at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. The match held special significance as it marked Indonesia’s first appearance in the tournament after a 16-year hiatus.

Despite a spirited exchange of attacks from both sides, Indonesia, under the guidance of coach Shin Tae-yong, gradually lost momentum as the match progressed. Iraq capitalized on this, demonstrating superior stamina and strategy, leading to their commanding win.

This victory sets a positive tone for Iraq as they continue their campaign in the AFC Asian Cup. For Indonesia, the match served as a challenging yet valuable experience on the international stage, providing insights and lessons for the upcoming fixtures in the tournament.

by Abhishek Shukla

Korea Republic Secures Convincing Win Against Bahrain in AFC Asian Cup

In the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, Korea Republic made a strong start with a 3-1 victory over Bahrain at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Group E. The win was fueled by a remarkable performance from Paris Saint-Germain winger Lee Kang-in, who scored twice in the second half to lead his team to success.

Hwang In-beom opened the scoring for Jurgen Klinsmann’s side in the 38th minute. Bahrain responded early in the second half with a goal from Abdulla Al Hashash, leveling the score. However, Korea Republic regained control thanks to Lee Kang-in’s brilliance. His first goal was a stunning strike from 25 yards in the 56th minute, and he then clinched the win with a clinical finish into the bottom corner of Ebrahim Lutfalla’s goal with 21 minutes remaining.

The victory sets a positive tone for the two-time AFC Asian Cup champions. Lee Kang-in, only 22 years old, showcased his technical skill and composure under pressure, proving to be a key asset for the Korean team in the tournament.

Korea Republic’s win is a significant step as they aim to progress further in the competition. With a solid start in Group E, the team looks poised to build on this performance and make a deep run in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

by Abhishek Shukla

Philip Chan scores 1000th goal of AFC Asian Cup

A significant milestone was reached in AFC Asian Cup™ history on Sunday evening when the showpiece tournament of Asia witnessed its 1000th goal at the Khalifa International Stadium.
 
The landmark strike was scored by Philip Chan for Hong Kong, China in the 49th minute to draw them level against the United Arab Emirates in the Group C encounter at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, which ended 3-1 to the West Asians.
 
Serendipitously, Chan’s goal came over 67 years on from the first ever goal in tournament history – scored by compatriot Au Chi Yin, who etched his name into the annals of the AFC Asian Cup™ after 12 minutes in the opener by breaking the deadlock at Government Stadium on 1 September 1956 in front of 30,000 spectators. Au would add a second for the hosts, thereby scoring the first ever brace in the competition’s history as well, although they were eventually defeated 3-2.
 
Chan’s opportunistic finish was the 13th goal of the current edition and made him the ninth player from Hong Kong, China to score in the Continental flagship, with their fourth involvement ending a 56-year absence since their previous participation in 1968.
 
The overall goal tally at the AFC Asian Cup™ (excluding qualifiers) would reach triple digits for the first time at the 1972 edition. Korea Republic legend Lee Hoe-taik grabbed their second in the 59th minute against Cambodia (then Khmer Republic), which was the 100th goal, en-route to a 4-1 win in Group B at the National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on 10 May.
 
The turn of the millennium brought about the 500th goal in Asia’s crown jewel. Attacking midfielder Qi Hong drew China PR level at 1-1 against Japan in their Semi-final clash on 26 October at the Sports City Stadium in Beirut, with the Samurai Blue going on to prevail 3-2 to advance to the Final, where they defeated Saudi Arabia to lift the 2000 AFC Asian Cup™.
 
The magical 1000 figure moved into clearer view after the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™, which finished with a remarkable 130 goals – the first time that any edition had broken the 100-goal mark – and saw the all-time total surge to 987.
 
Reigning champions Qatar made it 990 with their 3-0 victory over Lebanon on Friday evening, where Almoez Ali scored his 10th AFC Asian Cup™ goal to draw level with former Korea Republic forward Lee Dong-gook on the all-time scoring charts – second only to Islamic Republic of Iran icon Ali Daei’s 14.
 
With 44 matches left to play in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, passionate fans of Asian football can certainly look forward to many more goals in the tournament.

by Abhishek Shukla

UAE Overcomes Hong Kong in a Commanding 3-1 Victory

In their opening match of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group C, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) secured a convincing 3-1 win over Hong Kong, China at Khalifa International Stadium. This victory marks a positive start for the UAE in their quest for glory in the prestigious continental tournament.

Despite the defeat, Hong Kong had a historic moment with Philip Chan Siu Kwan scoring the 1,000th goal in AFC Asian Cup history. This milestone goal not only etched Chan’s name in the annals of the tournament but also highlighted the rising standards and competitiveness of Asian football.

The match saw the UAE exerting their dominance early on, showcasing their technical superiority and tactical discipline. The Emirati team’s cohesive play and strategic maneuvering on the field were evident as they maintained control throughout the game.

Hong Kong, despite being the underdogs, displayed commendable resilience and determination. They challenged the UAE with a spirited performance, reflecting their growth and potential in Asian football. The historic goal by Chan was a high point for the team, bringing a sense of achievement amidst the challenging match.

As the tournament progresses, the UAE’s strong start positions them as a team to watch, with their eyes set on advancing further and making a significant impact. On the other hand, Hong Kong, though facing a setback, will look to build on their positive aspects and continue their development in the highly competitive landscape of Asian football.

This match not only provided an entertaining spectacle for the fans but also underlined the evolving dynamics and increasing parity in Asian football, promising an exciting and unpredictable AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

by Abhishek Shukla

We need to be clinical against superior opponents, says Igor Stimac

DOHA, QATAR: Landing on Saturday evening, India became the first of the 23 visiting teams to arrive in Qatar for the AFC Asian Cup 2023. With less than two weeks until the Blue Tigers’ first game against Australia, head coach Igor Stimac and his boys have no time to waste.

Ahead of the team’s first training session on New Year’s Eve, Stimac spoke to the media in a pre-tournament press conference from the team hotel in Doha. “We wanted to come here early, settle down properly, and not waste time travelling later. We start our work together today. We’ve planned our schedule with four sessions in two days, rest on the third day, and so on. On 7th January, we will have a training game among us.”

The batch of 26 players come to Doha on the back of a demanding domestic season, which has also seen some key names like Anwar Ali, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Ashique Kuruniyan and Rohit Kumar miss out on the Asian Cup due to injuries. Expanding more on how that will shape up the team, Stimac said, “Things changed dramatically for us with injuries in the last few months. We are not as good as we could be at the moment. We have lost physicality and passing ability. But we have no time to think about that and need to focus on those who we have here.

“We need good height and strong players to defend against set pieces and crosses as all our opponents pose a real threat in that sense. There’s no option of experimenting and bringing new faces in at this point in time. We have players who have been with us in the past. Never mind the fact that for 17 of the 26 players, it’s their first time being on a big stage like this. It will be a great experience for them,” the Croatian added.

Skipper Sunil Chhetri is set to partake in his third Asian Cup campaign. The 39-year-old is India’s top-scorer at the tournament, having netted twice each in 2011 (also in Qatar) and 2019. Apart from Chhetri, goalkeepers Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh and Vishal Kaith, defenders Sandesh Jhingan, Pritam Kotal and Subhasish Bose, and midfielders Udanta Singh and Anirudh Thapa make up the nine players who have been part of a past Asian Cup squad.

“The first part we need to work on is bringing the focus back to the national team and raising our fitness levels. We will then see where we stand and decide on our approach against Australia. We have many players from Mohun Bagan, who have had poor results recently. So we need to bring the confidence back in the players who have low self-esteem. But I’m also happy with how some of our players have performed with their clubs, like Sahal (Abdul Samad), who has been assisting a lot and Sandesh (Jhingan), who has stabilised FC Goa’s defence,” said Stimac.

Mental development aside, Stimac also has a clear idea of what needs to be done on the pitch and stressed the aspects of the game which need redressal ahead of the three big games. Former England international Trevor Sinclair has joined Stimac’s staff as an assistant coach, which could prove fruitful considering the short preparation time.

“We are rank outsiders in our group. What can I say about Australia, they are one of the favourites here. Uzbekistan are the dark horses with some excellent recent results. We know that we will not have much ball possession and will not get many chances to come near their goal. But whatever we get, we need to be clinical and have a clear idea.

“But first, we need to work on not conceding from set pieces, and then on scoring them. It’s great to have Trevor with us. He has great experience. He has been part of player development programs and academies which have produced great players. We needed a guy like him to help us in a short time,” shared Stimac.

All in all, as India gear up for a second straight Asian Cup campaign for the first time, Stimac has only one message for his boys – enjoy yourselves. A tournament like this comes only once every four years, and you’ve got to make the most out of it.

“I want our boys to enjoy the tournament, get great experience, keep their shape tight, and not think about the results. I’m not putting any pressure on players. We will go out and fight.”

by Abhishek Shukla

India’s 26-member squad for AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 announced

NEW DELHI: The Indian senior men’s team head coach Igor Stimac, on Saturday, December 30, 2023, announced India’s 26-member squad for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023.

The Blue Tigers are due to arrive in Doha later on Saturday, ahead of marking their fifth appearance in the Asian Cup. India will play their opening Group B match against Australia on January 13, 2024 (17:00 IST), at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan before facing Uzbekistan on January 18 (20:00 IST) at the same venue. Stimac’s men will then move to the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor to take on Syria on January 23 (17:00 IST).

“All these boys are very similar in terms of football quality. We are a team, a family. But no matter the talent, if there is no character, nothing can be achieved,” Stimac said.

Sharing the areas he would want to improve upon ahead of the tournament, Stimac said, “The things we are looking to work on are defensive compactness, offensive transitions, and the set pieces, mostly. It will be very important to work on man-marking inside the box because I was not happy with that part of our game. In the last few games, we started leaking some unnecessary goals inside the box.”

“All three of our opponents are very good technically, physically stronger with great speed. So, we are not going to have much difference in approach to all these three games, I can tell you that. We need to check the fitness level of our players at present and see how much we can develop in the next two weeks,” he added.

Off the pitch, encouraging the Indian contingent will be their passionate fans. The Blue Tigers are no stranger to competing in Qatar, playing four of their 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers matches there, including two against the hosts. Moreover, Sunil Chhetri and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu were part of the Indian squad at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup which was also held in Qatar. Chhetri scored a goal each against Bahrain and South Korea.

“I’m looking forward to seeing our Indian fans in Doha. They came in massive numbers to support the Indian team during the qualifiers, and that was one of the reasons why we had two great performances against Qatar here. So, I’m well aware that there will be massive support for our boys. Hopefully, we can pay them back and celebrate some good results,” said Stimac.

India’s 26-member squad for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023

Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Vishal Kaith.
Defenders: Akash Mishra, Lalchungnunga, Mehtab Singh, Nikhil Poojary, Pritam Kotal, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose.
Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Udanta Singh.
Forwards: Ishan Pandita, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Sunil Chhetri, Vikram Partap Singh.


India’s Group B fixtures at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023

January 13, 2024: Australia vs India (17:00 IST, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan)
January 18, 2024: India vs Uzbekistan (20:00 IST, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan)
January 23, 2024: Syria vs India (17:00 IST, Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor)