Latest news with #AFCAsianQualifiers-Roadto26
Observer
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Observer
Ali Olwan hits hat-trick as Jordan blank Oman
MUSCAT, June 5 The Jordanian star striker Ali Olwan delivered a crucial victory to his team as Jordan blanked Oman 3-0 in their AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 Group B tie on Thursday night at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. The emphatic win boosted Jordan's chances of securing direct berth qualification to the Fifa World Cup next year for the first time in their history as they reached 16 points. On the other hand, the defeat meant Red Warriors dashed their hopes for a top-two finish and now redirects their efforts toward the playoff spot route as they remained at ten points. The first half saw a cautious start from both sides with each team tightening their defensive lines to avoid an early setback. Jordan dominated midfield possession and had the first significant threat when Moosa al Tamari found the net in the 11th minute only to be flagged offside. Oman's first reply came moments later, as Abdulrahman al Mushaifri fired a powerful effort that narrowly missed the left post. In the 23rd minute, Essam al Subhi had a clear opportunity to score but was denied by a brilliant save from Jordanian goalkeeper Yazeed Abu Laila. The Red Warriors mounted more pressure, with Thani al Rushaidi heading over from a corner and al Mushaifri again being blocked from long range. However, momentum shifted in Jordan's favor after Khalid al Buraiki conceded a penalty following a VAR review. Ali Olwan converted from the spot in the 35th minute to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. The first half concluded with Oman pushing for an equaliser but unable to break through a disciplined Jordanian defense. The second half saw Jordan coach Jamal Selami bring on Saleem Obaid for Mohammad Abu Al Nadi in a move that revitalised Jordan's attack. In the 52nd minute, Olwan doubled the lead with a calm finish off a pinpoint assist from Yazan Al Naimat. Twelve minutes later, Olwan completed his hat-trick, latching onto a perfectly timed pass from Moosa al Tamari and converting from close range to make it 3-0 in a scoreline that proved insurmountable. Final Push Oman coach Rasheed Jaber reacted quickly as he introduced Hatim al Roshdi for Harib al Saadi, Al Mundher al Alawi for Salah Al Yahyaei and Zaher Al Aghbari for Jameel Al Yahmadi. Despite the changes, Jordan's disciplined defensive line absorbed the pressure well. Oman's efforts, particularly from Ali al Busaidi and Abdulrahman al Mushaifri lacked the final touch, as Jordan held firm to seal a clinical 3-0 victory in Muscat.
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Sport
- Gulf Today
UAE and Uzbekistan play draw at Asian Qualifiers as Australia, Jordan close in
Uzbekistan qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the nation's history on Thursday as a 0-0 draw with the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi ensured Timur Kapadze's side claimed a top two finish in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26. A trio of saves by goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov kept the Emiratis at bay in the second half to take Uzbekistan onto 18 points from nine games and maintain their four-point lead over third-placed UAE with only Tuesday's matches remaining in the third phase of qualifying. The qualification is Uzbekistan's first in eight attempts since the Central Asian nation joined the Asian Football Confederation. The UAE, meanwhile, will advance to the fourth phase of qualifying, where new head coach Cosmin Olaroiu will continue the nation's attempt to book a FIFA World Cup berth for the first time since 1990. With the UAE needing a win to keep alive their hopes of automatic qualification alongside Group A leaders the Iran, it was Fabio Lima who had an early sight of goal for the hosts, the striker shooting straight at Yusupov. An early injury saw Oston Urunov replaced by Abbosbek Fayzullaev and the substitute almost unlocked the UAE defence in the 26th minute, exploiting the space down the left to pull the ball across the face of goal. But none of his teammates were able to capitalise. It was Uzbekistan who went closest in the 54th minute as Khojiakbar Alijonov slipped the ball through Majed Hassan's legs before curling over a cross that Fayzullaev rose to meet with a powerful header, only for the ball to thump back off the bar. The hosts, however, started to turn the screw as Olaroiu's side pushed for the goal that would deliver a win that would keep the UAE's dwindling chances of automatic qualification alive. Yusupov was on hand to prevent the UAE from taking the lead as the game approached the hour mark, diving to his left to keep out Lucas Pimenta's close range header after Fabio Lima's testing free kick into the penalty area. And the Uzbekistan goalkeeper saved another strike by Fabio Lima that the Brazil-born attacker attempted to bend into the bottom corner with time ticking down, Yusupov pushing the ball to safety to seal his nation's historic progress. Earlier, Aziz Behich's last-minute winner earned Australia a 1-0 victory over already-qualified Japan in Perth on Thursday as the Socceroos took a huge stride towards claiming an automatic berth at next year's FIFA World Cup from Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26. The Melbourne City defender bent in a 90th minute winner from 12 yards out to delight the 57,226 crowd at Perth Stadium, moving Tony Popovic's side onto 16 points from nine games with the Socceroos due to play Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Tuesday. Australia now stand on the cusp of qualifying after handing the Japanese their first defeat of the campaign, and Saudi Arabia must win against Bahrain later on Thursday to delay the Socceroos' celebrations. Popovic made three changes to the side that won 2-0 against China PR in March, with Jackson Irvine and Nishan Velupillay ruled out due to injury, prompting the selection of Connor Metcalfe and Alessandro Circati. With qualification secured, Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu made a host of changes to his starting line-up with Daichi Kamada and Koki Machida the only recognisable regulars selected. Despite fielding a side featuring newly capped players Hiroki Sekine, Yu Hirakawa and Kota Tawaratsumida, it was the Samurai Blue in the ascendancy throughout the opening 45 minutes as Moriyasu's side dominated without possessing a cutting edge. Yuki Ohashi, making only his second appearance for Japan, launched a speculative effort from wide on the left in the 16th minute that flew over Maty Ryan's crossbar while Sekine was quick to snuff out a glimmer of an opportunity for Martin Boyle at the other end. Yuito Suzuki powered towards the Australian goal in the 29th minute only to pull his shot wide of Ryan's left post from the edge of the area. The Socceroos had seen little of the ball but, on a rare sortie into Japanese territory, Ryan Teague delivered a corner into the penalty area that Connor Metcalfe glanced wide of Kosei Tani's goal. A diving Ryan was relieved to see Hirakawa's low strike from 25 yards out drift wide while Kamada dragged his attempt off target on the turn with a little over two minutes left in the half. Hirakawa then warmed Ryan's hands with another effort moments later. Australia failed to make the most of a mistake by Tani early in the second half, the goalkeeper gifting possession to the Socceroos but Behich thumped woefully off target as he ventured forward. Ohashi blazed another attempt wide before the introduction of Takefusa Kubo and Keito Nakamura briefly injected added creativity into the Japan team. Kubo almost struck with 10 minutes remaining after the Australian defence only half-cleared a ball into the penalty area, the Real Sociedad man shooting wide with Ryan little more than a spectator. Suzuki ballooned his attempt into the sky soon after. Australia pushed forward in the dying moments and, after substitute Riley McGree cut the ball back from the byeline towards Behich, the full-back swept his right-foot shot past Tani to spark scenes of jubilation on the bench. Meanwhile, a year out from kick-off, Iranian football fans are watching their World Cup dream slip away after a US travel ban barred them from entering the land of "Great Satan" to cheer on their team. The 2026 tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, but most matches, including the final, are scheduled to be played on American soil. Many in Iran had clung to hopes of cheering from the stands until Wednesday when US President Donald Trump rolled out a new travel ban on 12 countries including Iran, which will take effect from Monday. "My friends and I have been waiting for years to watch Team Melli (a nickname for the national team) play in a World Cup on US soil, and when they qualified, it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Sohrab Naderi, a real estate agent in Tehran, told AFP. Now with the new travel ban, that dream is shattered because of politics that we don't care about and have no control over," said the 46-year-old who attended the 2022 World Cup in Qatar which saw the US side defeat Iran 1-0 in the group stage. The prospect of Iran competing in a US-hosted tournament comes against the backdrop of a decades-long enmity, with diplomatic ties broken since the 1979 Islamic revolution. The two sides are currently engaged in high-stakes talks over Iran's nuclear programme, with the United States threatening military action if no deal can be reached. Trump said the new travel ban was prompted by a makeshift flamethrower attack on a Jewish protest in Colorado that US authorities blamed on a man they said was in the country illegally. The ban will not apply to athletes competing in either the 2026 World Cup or the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the order said. Nonetheless, supporters who had dreamed of crossing the Atlantic to cheer on their team will no longer be able to make the trip. "Every Iranian has the right to support their team, just as much as any other country, whether the game is in America or in any other country," said Hasti Teymourpour, a 16-year-old football fan. Since his return to office in January, Trump has reinstated his "maximum pressure" policy of sanctions against Iran and vowed that "something bad" would happen unless the Iranians "move quickly" towards a nuclear deal. Naderi, who called the ban "inhumane" and "degrading to all Iranians", still hopes the Iran-US nuclear talks will yield a deal that might persuade Trump to reconsider. The outcome of the US-Iran talks that began in April remains unclear, and many fans worry that even if they result in a deal, it may be too late for them. Some Iranians have refused to give up hope, however, seeing in the World Cup an opportunity to thaw relations. "Sports diplomacy can act as a strong catalyst and bring the efforts of political diplomats to fruition sooner," said political commentator Mohammad Reza Manafi. It could be "a great opportunity to help advance diplomacy between the two countries". In a memorable 1998 World Cup clash, Iranian players handed flowers to their American adversaries and posed together for photos -- a rare public gesture of goodwill between the nations. Iran won 2-1, a victory celebrated in Tehran as a source of both sporting and political pride. With the 2026 draw expected in December, it remains unclear whether Iran and the United States will face off again, but anticipation is building. "The two countries are not hostile to each other, this political discussion is for the governments," said 44-year-old day labourer Siamak Kalantari. Another fan, Mahdieh Olfati, said: "If we face the US again, we'll definitely win." "Ours are real players," the 18-year-old added. Manafi, the commentator, said a friendly before the tournament, possibly hosted by a third country, could help ease tensions. Such a game, he said, could help "achieve what politicians from both sides have not managed to do for years". Agencies
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Jordan at doorstep of qualifying
AFC Muscat Jordan defeated Oman 3-0 in their penultimate AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 Group B tie on Thursday to move within touching distance of qualifying for an inaugural appearance at the FIFA World Cup. Ali Olwan starred with a hat-trick with the victory moving Jordan to 16 points and their place at next year's global showpiece will be confirmed should Iraq lose to Korea Republic in their tie later on Thursday. Jordan will remain in pole position even if Iraq defeat Korea Republic as they only have to avoid defeat when the two West Asian sides meet on Tuesday. Oman, meanwhile, still have some work to do if they are to seal a place in the playoffs. Both sides tested each other in the first 10 minutes, and Oman captain and keeper Faiyz Al Rusheidi had his first shot of adrenaline when Mousa Al Ta'mari put the ball past him in the 11th minute only for the Ligue 1 midfielder to be ruled offside. The hosts' slow and steady build-up was hampered by poor finishing, with Abdul Al Mushaifri and Harib Al Saadi both fluffing their shots in the 15th and 19th minutes respectively. Issam Al Sabhi then had a golden opportunity to put Oman ahead, but his close range shot in the 24th minute was resolutely palmed away by keeper Yazeed Abulaila. A brilliant through ball from Al Saadi from his own half in the 31st minute found Al Sabhi, who controlled the pass with his first touch but then stumbled under pressure in the box. Jordan, who only had two shots at goal in regulation, were awarded a penalty five minutes into time added on after a VAR review found Mohannad Taha had been brought down, with Olwan duly converting to give his side the advantage going into the break. It got even better for Jordan six minutes into the second half as a quick break saw Olwan getting his second when he side-footed home Yazan Al Naimat's pass from the left beyond the reach of a diving Al Rusheidi. Olwan completed his hat-trick in the 64th minute when he gleefully put the ball into an empty net after Al Rusheidi was caught off-position on the right by Al Ta'mari's pass. Oman made five substitutions but it proved a little too late and the West Asians will have to give it their all in their final match against Palestine on Tuesday.
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Miguel's strike against Iran secures Qatar progress into the playoffs
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar kept their FIFA World Cup qualification hopes alive on Thursday as Pedro Miguel scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over the 10 men of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Thursday to confirm his side's progress to the playoffs of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26. The back-to-back AFC Asian Cup champions made the most of Milad Mohammadi's 35th minute sending off to secure a win against the already-qualified Iranians as Qatar moved into fourth place in Group A and advance to the playoffs, where an additional two slots to the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be at stake. Miguel netted in the 41st minute and victory in Julien Lopetegui's first game in charge takes Qatar onto 13 points from nine games and leaves the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts a point behind the United Arab Emirates with Tuesday's clash with Uzbekistan remaining. The Iranians went into the game having confirmed their progress to a seventh FIFA World Cup in March and Saeid Ezatolahi twice tested Meshaal Barsham inside the first 10 minutes, the goalkeeper dealing with both efforts as the visitors started the game on the front foot. It took Qatar time to settle and Ahmed Al Ganehi hit a rising shot over the bar in the 17th minute at the end of a fluent move that had seen Edmilson Junior find Almoez Ali in the area, allowing the AFC Asian Cup winner to lay off possession to his team mate. Two quick yellow cards in succession saw Iranian defender Mohammadi sent off, the veteran dismissed with more than 10 minutes remaining in the first half for a clumsy challenge on Edmilson Junior that saw him fly into the back of the Belgium-born winger. Alireza Beiranvand was at full stretch to keep out Akram Afif's low effort from the edge of the area soon after Mohammadi was dismissed and, with four minutes left in the half, the Iranian goalkeeper was beaten as Qatar took the lead. Karim Boudiaf clipped the ball into the penalty area for Correia and the persistent full-back slotted past Beiranvand from close range at the second attempt after the goalkeeper had saved his initial header from close range. Roozbeh Cheshmi had a sight of goal for the Iranians midway through the half as he nodded Saman Ghoddos' cross wide of Barsham's goal in a reminder to the Qataris of the threat their visitors presented despite being a man down. But Qatar held on to take the three points to maintain their FIFA World Cup qualifying dream by handing the Iranians their first defeat of the third phase of the preliminaries.
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- Gulf Today
UAE bid to keep World Cup hopes alive with victory over Uzbekistan
The UAE stand in Uzbekistan's way with the Central Asian nation on the verge of securing FIFA World Cup qualification for the first time. Timur Kapadze's Uzbekistan only need to avoid defeat against UAE in their AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 Group A tie to join Islamic Republic of Iran at next year's global extravaganza. The UAE, however, will go into the tie at the Al Nahyan Stadium determined to - at the very least - delay Uzbekistan's celebrations. Seeking a second appearance at the FIFA World Cup, UAE still have an outside chance of securing an automatic ticket and will have Romanian tactician Cosmin Olariu leading them for the first time. They sit on 13 points, four behind Uzbekistan but with just two matches remaining, their fate is out of their hands but Olariu has vowed they will do their best to keep their dream of automatic qualification alive. Stopping history-seeking Uzbekistan won't be easy, with the White Wolves having suffered defeat only once in their qualifying campaign. The players, said defender Rustam Ashurmatov, are determined to realise the dreams of their nation. 'We give our all in every match. We go to the field only to win. I think our team is capable of this - we will win,' said Ashurmatov to local media. Meanwhile, Julen Lopetegui will be aiming to get his tenure off to a winning start when Qatar host Islamic Republic of Iran in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 on Thursday. While Iran have already confirmed their FIFA World Cup 2026 appearance, Qatar's hopes depend on them advancing from the playoffs, with automatic qualification no longer an option. Such have two-time AFC Asian Cup winners Qatar's troubles been that Lopetegui will be the third head coach in charge of their qualifying campaign. With an automatic spot out of reach, former Spain and Real Madrid manager Lopetegui has to ensure the West Asian side finish a minimum fourth to book a spot in the playoffs, where an additional two FIFA World Cup tickets will be at stake. On a positive note, they sit four points ahead of Kyrgyz Republic but with Iran and then Uzbekistan to follow, Qatar must tread with caution. Iran will head into the tie in relaxed mode after securing a fourth consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup. In what has been a sterling qualifying campaign, the only points Team Melli dropped were in two stalemates with Uzbekistan and they aren't likely to hold back despite having already secured their FIFA World Cup slot. The corresponding fixture last November ended 5-0 in Iran's favour and they will be aiming for another statement win. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia both know the score - only victory will suffice when they meet in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 on Thursday. Bahrain are chasing a playoff spot while Saudi Arabia need the three points to keep their hopes of automatic qualification alive going into next Tuesday's final round of matches. Defeats against Indonesia and Japan in the March fixtures ended Bahrain's hopes of an automatic spot, with the West Asian side going into their tie against Saudi Arabia on six points. They sit three point behind Indonesia, with the third and fourth-place teams to advance to the playoffs which offer an additional two spots to the global showpiece. While their fate is no longer in their hands, Bahrain will be determined to remain in the race for as long as they can as they look to make up for their March defeats. With Japan having already confirmed their spot in next year's Finals, Saudi Arabia are in a two-horse race with Australia - with the Socceroos in prime position to advance automatically. That, however, could change if Australia fail to beat Japan on Thursday as a win for Saudi Arabia against Bahrain will mean the two will face off in a winner-takes-all showdown on Tuesday. Oman will aim to maximise home ground advantage when they welcome Jordan to the Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex for their AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 Group B tie on Thursday.
