Tuesday 11 October 2011
Park Chu-Young scored for the fifth time in 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying today as Korea Republic beat United Arab Emirates 2-1.
The South Koreans stay top of Group B with two victories and one draw. Korea Republic captain Park, who also scored both goals in a 2-2 friendly draw with Poland last week, found the net in the 50th minute.
And the home side were gifted a 2-0 lead in the 63rd minute thanks to an own goal from defender Ismail Hamdan, who was hit by a corner kick from Ki Sung-Yueng.
One minute into injury time, Ismaeil Matar scored a consolation but UAE remain at the bottom of Group B after three successive defeats.
Asian favourites seek soccer dominance
Monday 10 October 2011
Titanic clashes loom large as Asia's third qualifying round for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ reaches its midway stage on Tuesday. Topping the list is Iran’s meeting with Bahrain with both sides desperate to stamp their authority on the section with victory, while another epic clash takes place in Shenzhen as China PR seek to return to winning ways against 2007 Asian champions Iraq.
A third straight win will see Australia and Jordan edge closer to early progression, but pointless Singapore, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates and Tajikistan face must-win scenarios if they are to keep their qualifying hopes alive. FIFA.com previews the mouth-watering clashes across Asia.
The match Iran-Bahrain Iran enter the first of their back-to-back meetings against Bahrain with an old score to settle, having lost 3-1 in Manama on the road to Korea/Japan 2002, a defeat which ultimately ended their qualification hopes. Under Carlos Queiroz, Team Melli have seen their fortunes rise recently and, boosted by their 7-0 rout of Palestine in the build-up to this match, they must be confident of exacting revenge this time around.
Few Asian teams have left the intimidating Azadi Stadium unscathed, yet the Bahrainis are one of the few to have bucked the trend managing a goalless draw in Tehran during the aforementioned qualifying campaign a decade ago. Peter Taylor's visiting side can also take heart from the recent return of captain Mohamed Salmeen from injury, while Swiss-based midfielder Abdulla Omar is expected to make his international debut.
The other attractions Should Iran and Bahrain share the spoils, Qatar can move top of Group E with victory in Indonesia. The west Asians boast a proud historic record heading into the game in Jakarta, having won four of their six previous meetings. Sebastiao Lazaroni's side enter the match undefeated in the qualifying campaign, having drawn against both Bahrain and Iran. However, they will be wary of the south-east Asian's recent form, which saw them hold Saudi Arabia to a goalless draw in a warm-up.
In Group A, a 2-1 friendly defeat of UAE offers China with a much-needed morale-booster as Jose Antonio Camacho's side seek to put their campaign back on track by defeating Iraq, having lost the previous outing 2-0 in Jordan. However, it is Zico's charges that travel to China with a mental edge, having drawn at home and won away against the Chinese on the road to South Africa 2010. In the section's other match, Jordan have fixed their sights on another three points in Singapore, which will leave the rejuvenated west Asians sitting pretty at the top of the group.
The same can also be said of Group D's Australia, who are looking to continue their perfect run with a home win over Oman. Despite missing the services of goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and midfielder Tim Cahill due to injury, Holger Osieck's Socceroos still look very much the side to beat, particularly on the evidence of their recent 5-0 demolition of Malaysia. Saudi Arabia, though, face a tough trip to Thailand having come up with a solitary point from two matches. Frank Rijkaard’s charges arrive in Bangkok as historical favourites having prevailed in all their 12 previous meetings but the hosts, boosted by their latest 3-0 triumph over Oman, have form on their side.
In Group B, both Korea Republic and UAE disappointed in pre-match warms-up, with the former conceding a late goal to draw 2-2 with Poland, while the latter lost to China. A home win will see the Koreans on the edge of progression, while the visiting west Asians are left with no option but to go for three points as they seek to remain in contention. The group's other match pits in-form Kuwait against hosts Lebanon, with the home side determined to pull off a surprise despite conceding six unanswered goals against the visitors in a friendly in July.
Elsewhere, Japan may be entering uncharted waters in Tajikistan, however the Asian champions will undoubtedly expect to stamp their authority on Group C with a second win. However, Alberto Zaccheroni's side must overcome not only the hosts, but also their recent lacklustre form which saw them conjure a narrow 1-0 win over Vietnam in a recent match. In the other group encounter, Uzbekistan face a tricky test against Korea DPR at Pyongyang with a win enough to ensure temporary status in the section's top two.
The player Having scored the match and tournament winner against Australia in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup final, Tadanari Lee proved the difference in their recent friendly against Vietnam by netting the only goal.
The stat
4 - Korea Republic talisman Park Chu-Young has been on target four times so far to top the third stage's scoring chart.
What they said
"Bahrain coach has announced they come here to beat us but we are not scared of them. We will answer them with our performance on the pitch," Iran coach Carlos Queiroz
Asian third qualifying round matchday 3 fixtures:
11 October Group A: China PR-Iraq, Singapore-Jordan
Group B: Lebanon-Kuwait, Korea Republic-United Arab Emirates
Group C: Korea DPR-Uzbekistan, Tajikistan-Japan
Group D: Thailand-Saudi Arabia, Australia-Oman
Group E: Indonesia-Qatar, Iran-Bahrain
A third straight win will see Australia and Jordan edge closer to early progression, but pointless Singapore, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates and Tajikistan face must-win scenarios if they are to keep their qualifying hopes alive. FIFA.com previews the mouth-watering clashes across Asia.
The match Iran-Bahrain Iran enter the first of their back-to-back meetings against Bahrain with an old score to settle, having lost 3-1 in Manama on the road to Korea/Japan 2002, a defeat which ultimately ended their qualification hopes. Under Carlos Queiroz, Team Melli have seen their fortunes rise recently and, boosted by their 7-0 rout of Palestine in the build-up to this match, they must be confident of exacting revenge this time around.
Few Asian teams have left the intimidating Azadi Stadium unscathed, yet the Bahrainis are one of the few to have bucked the trend managing a goalless draw in Tehran during the aforementioned qualifying campaign a decade ago. Peter Taylor's visiting side can also take heart from the recent return of captain Mohamed Salmeen from injury, while Swiss-based midfielder Abdulla Omar is expected to make his international debut.
The other attractions Should Iran and Bahrain share the spoils, Qatar can move top of Group E with victory in Indonesia. The west Asians boast a proud historic record heading into the game in Jakarta, having won four of their six previous meetings. Sebastiao Lazaroni's side enter the match undefeated in the qualifying campaign, having drawn against both Bahrain and Iran. However, they will be wary of the south-east Asian's recent form, which saw them hold Saudi Arabia to a goalless draw in a warm-up.
In Group A, a 2-1 friendly defeat of UAE offers China with a much-needed morale-booster as Jose Antonio Camacho's side seek to put their campaign back on track by defeating Iraq, having lost the previous outing 2-0 in Jordan. However, it is Zico's charges that travel to China with a mental edge, having drawn at home and won away against the Chinese on the road to South Africa 2010. In the section's other match, Jordan have fixed their sights on another three points in Singapore, which will leave the rejuvenated west Asians sitting pretty at the top of the group.
The same can also be said of Group D's Australia, who are looking to continue their perfect run with a home win over Oman. Despite missing the services of goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and midfielder Tim Cahill due to injury, Holger Osieck's Socceroos still look very much the side to beat, particularly on the evidence of their recent 5-0 demolition of Malaysia. Saudi Arabia, though, face a tough trip to Thailand having come up with a solitary point from two matches. Frank Rijkaard’s charges arrive in Bangkok as historical favourites having prevailed in all their 12 previous meetings but the hosts, boosted by their latest 3-0 triumph over Oman, have form on their side.
In Group B, both Korea Republic and UAE disappointed in pre-match warms-up, with the former conceding a late goal to draw 2-2 with Poland, while the latter lost to China. A home win will see the Koreans on the edge of progression, while the visiting west Asians are left with no option but to go for three points as they seek to remain in contention. The group's other match pits in-form Kuwait against hosts Lebanon, with the home side determined to pull off a surprise despite conceding six unanswered goals against the visitors in a friendly in July.
Elsewhere, Japan may be entering uncharted waters in Tajikistan, however the Asian champions will undoubtedly expect to stamp their authority on Group C with a second win. However, Alberto Zaccheroni's side must overcome not only the hosts, but also their recent lacklustre form which saw them conjure a narrow 1-0 win over Vietnam in a recent match. In the other group encounter, Uzbekistan face a tricky test against Korea DPR at Pyongyang with a win enough to ensure temporary status in the section's top two.
The player Having scored the match and tournament winner against Australia in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup final, Tadanari Lee proved the difference in their recent friendly against Vietnam by netting the only goal.
The stat
4 - Korea Republic talisman Park Chu-Young has been on target four times so far to top the third stage's scoring chart.
What they said
"Bahrain coach has announced they come here to beat us but we are not scared of them. We will answer them with our performance on the pitch," Iran coach Carlos Queiroz
Asian third qualifying round matchday 3 fixtures:
11 October Group A: China PR-Iraq, Singapore-Jordan
Group B: Lebanon-Kuwait, Korea Republic-United Arab Emirates
Group C: Korea DPR-Uzbekistan, Tajikistan-Japan
Group D: Thailand-Saudi Arabia, Australia-Oman
Group E: Indonesia-Qatar, Iran-Bahrain
Favourites shocked across Asia
Tuesday 6 September 2011
Tuesday’s Matchday 2 proved a miserable night for Asia’s big boys with four of the five group seeds dropping points away. Japan, Korea Republic and Iran were all held to 1-1 draws by their respective opponents, while China PR were edged out 2-1 by Jordan. Australia were the only seeded side to remain perfect with a 3-1 win in Saudi Arabia. Join FIFA.com as we review a night full of thrillers, surprises and upsets.
The big game
Jordan 2-1 China
Baha Suleiman(49), Amer Deeb (54); Hao Junmin(56)
The meeting between Group A’s opening-day winners ended in the hosts' favour, with Jordan prevailing 2-1 over China to top the section. The visitors proved the dominant side throughout, but it was the Jordanians that took the lead against the run of play, Baha Suleiman opening the scoring with a ferocious long-distance shot. It took the home side only five minutes to double the lead, with Amer Deed slotting home from a fine cross.
The Chinese quickly pulled one back through Hao Junmin and continued to press forward, with both Yu Hai and Yu Dabao going close to drawing things level. However, their lack of accuracy and composure took a toll and their efforts were for naught. In the group’s other game, Zico's Iraq defeated hosts Singapore 2-0 to move level with China on three points.
The surprise
Lebanon 3-1 United Arab Emirates
Mohamed Ghadar 37 (PEN), Akram Moghrabi 52, Roda Antar 83; Mohamoud Al Hammadi 15
On a night of surprises, Lebanon's 3-1 comeback victory over United Arab Emirates stood out, with the result even more impressive given that they had conceded six unanswered goals against Korea Republic in their opener. The win also came as sweet revenge against their rivals, at whose hands the hosts were humiliated 6-2 in a recent friendly.
The visitors took the lead on the quarter-hour mark through Mohamoud Al Hammadi, but Mohamed Ghadar drew the hosts level on 37 minutes by earning and converting a spot-kick. With so much at stake, Lebanon captain Roda Antar proved the difference, setting Akram Moghrabi up to make the score 2-1 on 52 minutes, before he sealed the 3-1 win with a header seven minutes from time. In Group B's other game, Kuwait held Korea Republic 1-1 at home, with Hussain Ali on target on 53 minutes to cancel out Park Chu-Young's early opener.
The other attractions
Group C lived up to its billing as one of the toughest sections on the continent, with seeded team Japan held to a 1-1 draw in Uzbekistan, while Korea DPR bounced back to defeat Tajikistan 1-0 at home. In today's earliest game, a first-half goal by defender Pak Nam-Chol was enough for the Korea DPR to see off Tajikistan. Having saved their blushes with Maya Yoshida's last-ditch strike in their first game, Japan once again had Lady Luck to thank, with Shinji Okazaki scoring on 65 minutes to cancel out Server Djeparov's eighth-minute opener.
In Group D, Australia maintained pole position in the section after crushing Saudi Arabia 3-1. Thailand, having gone so close to stunning the Socceroos in their opener, pulled off a resounding 3-0 home triumph over Oman to move into second place. Striking duo Sompong Soleb and Teerasil Dangda were on target to give the hosts a 2-0 first-half lead, before Rashid Al Farsi gifted them an own-goal in stoppage time.
Elsewhere, Sayed Shubbar and Ismaeel Latif struck in each half as Group E's Bahrain beat hosts Indonesia 2-0 for their first win. In the section's other match, Iran drew 1-1 in Qatar but remain group leaders by edging the Bahrainis on goal difference. Languishing at the bottom, pointless Indonesia must win against Qatar in their next outing on 11 October if they are to keep hope alive.
Player of the day
Having netted the crucial equaliser against Thailand in the opener, Joshua Kennedy went on to prove Australia's key man up front. The Nagoya Grampus striker fired a brace against the Saudis.
The stat
1 - Lebanon recorded their first win against UAE, while Jordan’s victory also marked their first against China.
What they said
“I started working with the team two weeks ago, so I started from scratch. Last week we suffered a big loss in Korea Republic but today we could have won with a bigger result. I'm not surprised with the level of UAE because I know them. We deserved this win,” Lebanon coach Theo Bucker.
Asia's third qualifying round, matchday two results
6 September
Group A: Singapore 0-2 Iraq, Jordan 2-1 China
Group B: Lebanon 3-1 United Arab Emirates, Kuwait 1-1 Korea Republic
Group C: Uzbekistan 1-1 Japan, Korea DPR 1-0 Tajikistan
Group D: Thailand 3-0 Oman, Saudi Arabia 1-3 Australia
Group E: Indonesia 0-2 Bahrain, Qatar 1-1 Iran
The big game
Jordan 2-1 China
Baha Suleiman(49), Amer Deeb (54); Hao Junmin(56)
The meeting between Group A’s opening-day winners ended in the hosts' favour, with Jordan prevailing 2-1 over China to top the section. The visitors proved the dominant side throughout, but it was the Jordanians that took the lead against the run of play, Baha Suleiman opening the scoring with a ferocious long-distance shot. It took the home side only five minutes to double the lead, with Amer Deed slotting home from a fine cross.
The Chinese quickly pulled one back through Hao Junmin and continued to press forward, with both Yu Hai and Yu Dabao going close to drawing things level. However, their lack of accuracy and composure took a toll and their efforts were for naught. In the group’s other game, Zico's Iraq defeated hosts Singapore 2-0 to move level with China on three points.
The surprise
Lebanon 3-1 United Arab Emirates
Mohamed Ghadar 37 (PEN), Akram Moghrabi 52, Roda Antar 83; Mohamoud Al Hammadi 15
On a night of surprises, Lebanon's 3-1 comeback victory over United Arab Emirates stood out, with the result even more impressive given that they had conceded six unanswered goals against Korea Republic in their opener. The win also came as sweet revenge against their rivals, at whose hands the hosts were humiliated 6-2 in a recent friendly.
The visitors took the lead on the quarter-hour mark through Mohamoud Al Hammadi, but Mohamed Ghadar drew the hosts level on 37 minutes by earning and converting a spot-kick. With so much at stake, Lebanon captain Roda Antar proved the difference, setting Akram Moghrabi up to make the score 2-1 on 52 minutes, before he sealed the 3-1 win with a header seven minutes from time. In Group B's other game, Kuwait held Korea Republic 1-1 at home, with Hussain Ali on target on 53 minutes to cancel out Park Chu-Young's early opener.
The other attractions
Group C lived up to its billing as one of the toughest sections on the continent, with seeded team Japan held to a 1-1 draw in Uzbekistan, while Korea DPR bounced back to defeat Tajikistan 1-0 at home. In today's earliest game, a first-half goal by defender Pak Nam-Chol was enough for the Korea DPR to see off Tajikistan. Having saved their blushes with Maya Yoshida's last-ditch strike in their first game, Japan once again had Lady Luck to thank, with Shinji Okazaki scoring on 65 minutes to cancel out Server Djeparov's eighth-minute opener.
In Group D, Australia maintained pole position in the section after crushing Saudi Arabia 3-1. Thailand, having gone so close to stunning the Socceroos in their opener, pulled off a resounding 3-0 home triumph over Oman to move into second place. Striking duo Sompong Soleb and Teerasil Dangda were on target to give the hosts a 2-0 first-half lead, before Rashid Al Farsi gifted them an own-goal in stoppage time.
Elsewhere, Sayed Shubbar and Ismaeel Latif struck in each half as Group E's Bahrain beat hosts Indonesia 2-0 for their first win. In the section's other match, Iran drew 1-1 in Qatar but remain group leaders by edging the Bahrainis on goal difference. Languishing at the bottom, pointless Indonesia must win against Qatar in their next outing on 11 October if they are to keep hope alive.
Player of the day
Having netted the crucial equaliser against Thailand in the opener, Joshua Kennedy went on to prove Australia's key man up front. The Nagoya Grampus striker fired a brace against the Saudis.
The stat
1 - Lebanon recorded their first win against UAE, while Jordan’s victory also marked their first against China.
What they said
“I started working with the team two weeks ago, so I started from scratch. Last week we suffered a big loss in Korea Republic but today we could have won with a bigger result. I'm not surprised with the level of UAE because I know them. We deserved this win,” Lebanon coach Theo Bucker.
Asia's third qualifying round, matchday two results
6 September
Group A: Singapore 0-2 Iraq, Jordan 2-1 China
Group B: Lebanon 3-1 United Arab Emirates, Kuwait 1-1 Korea Republic
Group C: Uzbekistan 1-1 Japan, Korea DPR 1-0 Tajikistan
Group D: Thailand 3-0 Oman, Saudi Arabia 1-3 Australia
Group E: Indonesia 0-2 Bahrain, Qatar 1-1 Iran
Eight qualify but big boys are denied
Saturday 8 October 2011
Angola, Ghana, Guinea, Libya, Mali, Niger, Tunisia and Zambia all qualified for the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations today, while Nigeria and South Africa were eliminated after a day of drama.
South African footballers, coaches, supporters and media celebrated after a 0-0 home draw with Sierra Leone, believing Bafana Bafana had qualified, only to discover later that Niger had topped the table on the head-to-head rule despite a 3-0 drubbing in Egypt.
Early goals from Asamoah Gyan and John Mensah earned four-time champions Ghana a 2-0 victory in near 40 degrees celsius temperatures in Sudan, and top place in their group with 16 points from six matches.
Ibrahima Traore levelled in the final minute as Guinea salvaged a 2-2 draw against Nigeria after a dramatic second half in Abuja saw Ismael Bangura put the visitors ahead, before goals from Obinna Nsofor and Ikechukwu Uche swung the game in favour of the home team.
Zambia, Angola seal spots
Although Zambia and Libya failed to score in Chingola, the 0-0 draw took the home team through as group winners, while the north Africans are sure to fill one of two places reserved for the best runners-up.
Although Zambia and Libya failed to score in Chingola, the 0-0 draw took the home team through as group winners, while the north Africans are sure to fill one of two places reserved for the best runners-up.
Angola won 2-0 in Guinea-Bissau via goals from Manucho and Mateus, to finish a point ahead of long-time group leaders Uganda, who could only draw 0-0 at home against Kenya and so a 33-year wait to get back to the Cup of Nations continues.
Mali drew 2-2 in Liberia to pip Cape Verde Islands on the head-to-head rule and Tunisia, who triumphed 2-0 at home against Togo, were grateful to Chad, whose last-gasp 2-2 draw prevented Malawi from qualifying.
Ethiopia completed a miserable campaign for winless Madagascar with a 4-2 victory in Addis Ababa, Mozambique finally found their scoring boots to outclass Comoros Islands 3-0 in Maputo, and Congo defeated Swaziland 1-0 in Lobamba.
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