Latest news with #AFCAsianQualifiers–Roadto26
Saudi Gazette
2 days ago
- 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.
Edinburgh Reporter
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Four Hibs players named in Socceroos training camp
Jack Iredale is one of four Hibs players named in a 23-man Socceroos squad for an intensive training camp in Abu Dhabi. Iredale joins teammates Martin Boyle, Lewis Miller and Nectar Triantis in the United Arab Emirates. Greenock born Iredale who was capped at under-17 level back in 2012 has consistently expressed his desire to force his way into the Australia squad. His outstanding performances for Hibs this season has made that ambition come true. The camp which begins on May 20 will form a key part of Australia's preparations for the upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 fixtures against Japan and Saudi Arabia. Credit: Ian Jacobs Credit: Ian Jacobs Credit: Ian Jacobs After the camp head coach Tony Popovic will pick a 26-man squad to face Japan in Perth and Saudi Arabia in Jeddah. The Socceroos will take on Japan at Optus Stadium here in Perth on Thursday, 5 June (kick-off 7.00pm local / 9.00pm AEST) and Saudi Arabia at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah on Tuesday, 10 June (9.15pm local / 2.15am WST – Wednesday, 11 June). Full squad: Maty Ryan, Joe Gauci, Paul Izzo, Tom Glover; Milos Degenek, Jason Davidson, Cam Burgess, Lewis Miller, Ryan Strain, Alex Gersbach, Jack Iredale; Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Keanu Baccus, Anthony Caceres, Max Balard, Nectar Triantis, Paul Okon-Engstler; Martin Boyle, Adam Taggart, Brandon Borrello, Kusini Yengi, Nicolas Milanovic. Like this: Like Related
Observer
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Jaber focuses on fitness in early training sessions
MUSCAT: The coaching staff of the national football senior team focused on enhancing players' physical fitness and overall readiness as Red Warriors began their training session on Wednesday night as part of the team's preparatory programme for the remaining matches at AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26. Under the guidance of head coach Rasheed Jaber and his technical staff, the initial phase of the camp started with more highlight on fitness training sessions particularly as the domestic season has only recently concluded. After the opening training session on Wednesday at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, the players went to the gymnasium on the following day aiming to build their physical condition ahead of upcoming tactical and technical sessions. The players work out in the gymnasium. The introductory training session on Wednesday featured participation of all the players in the squad except Seeb and Bahla players as they are gearing up for the OFA Cup final clash on Sunday. Also, the professional players will not take part in the first stage of the domestic camp due to club commitments including: Essam al Subhi (Iraq's Al Quwa Al Jawiya), and Al Mundher al Alawi (Al Zawra Club) while Salah al Yahyaei (Bahrain's Al Khalidiya SC) may join during May end. Mohsin al Ghassani (Bangkok United SC) ended his season at Thai league and he started the warm-up sessions with the national team besides the new joiner in the team, Tariq al Saadi (Spain's UE Sant Andreu SC). In the forthcoming days, Jaber and his assistant Yaqoob al Sabahi will move to technical and tactical preparations. The camp includes two friendly matches, beginning with a fixture against Niger on Tuesday in Muscat, followed by a warm-up match against Lebanon on May 28. In the coming days, coach Rasheed Jaber will move to technical and tactical preparations. These friendlies serve as critical preparation for Oman's decisive qualifiers in June. The Red Warriors will face Jordan in Muscat on June 5, followed by an away match against Palestine in Jordan on June 10. With qualification hopes reignited after a crucial 1-0 away victory against Kuwait and a hard-fought draw with South Korea in March, Oman aim to secure six points from the final two matches to raise their chances in securing direct berth to the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Oman currently sit fourth in the group with 10 points from eight matches, trailing group leaders South Korea by six points, with two rounds remaining. The players work out in the gymnasium. Jaber has called up 34 probables for the underway domestic camp. Squad: Ibrahim al Mukhaini, Thani al Rushaidi, Ghanim al Habshi, Amjad al Kaabi, Harib al Saadi, Abdullah Fawaz, Ahed al Mashakhey, Hussain al Shahri, Ahmed al Khamisi, Ali al Busaidy, Amjad al Harthy, Zaher al Aghbari, Arshad al Alawi, Jameel al Yahmadi, Abdulrahman al Mushaifri, Abdulmalik al Badri, Majid al Saadi, Khalid al Buraiki, Yousef al Malki, Mohammed al Ghafri, Hatim al Roushdi, Mulham al Sunaidy, Musab al Shaqsi, Mohammed Abdulhakeem, Abdulsalam al Sukhaili, Fayez al Rushaidi, Sultan al Marzooq, Hamed al Habsi, Essa al Naabi, Al Mundher al Alawi, Salah al Yahyaei, Tariq al Saadi, Mohsin al Ghassani and Essam al Subhi.
Gulf Today
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Adil's late goal helps UAE pip N.Korea to keep WC qualification hopes alive
Sultan Adil's late goal kept UAE's hopes of automatic qualification alive after they secured a last-gasp 2-1 win against North Korea in their AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 Group A match on Tuesday. Adil scored deep into stoppage time to secure the win that cut the gap to second-placed Uzbekistan in Group A to four points ahead of the meeting between the two countries in their penultimate third-round qualifier on June 5. Iran booked their spot at next year's global showpiece after a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan. UAE seized the early control and went ahead after only five minutes with Fabio de Lima notching his 21st international goal. Harib Abdalla played the ball behind North Korea's defence with Kim Yu Song's attempted clearance bouncing off goalkeeper Kang Ju Hyok to allow Lima to pounce on the rebound and knock home the opener. Paulo Bento's side had North Korea pinned in their own half with Caio Fernandes going close in the 15th minute with a diving header that had Kang beaten but was just slightly off target. The game turned midway through the first half with North Korea starting to ask questions of UAE's defence, Pak Hwang Hun produced a towering header that was inches away from finding the target. North Korea got themselves back on level pegging in the 43rd minute from a corner kick when Jong Hwi Nam's initial header crashed against the bar with Yu Song nodding the rebound home. The second half was a more balanced affair albeit one where chances were few and far in between. Bento and his counterpart, Sin Yong Nam, both made changes to their respective sides but the game looked no closer to producing another goal. There was finally some goalmouth action with 10 minutes left on the clock, Kang making back-to-back saves to stop Abdalla Ramadan's free-kick before catching Lucas Pimenta's overhead attempt. With seconds left in the seventh minute of added time, UAE found the winner with Adil glancing home a header from Abdalla's cross to break North Korea hearts. UAE and Bento part ways: The UAE sacked Portuguese Bento on Wednesday, the morning after his team kept alive their hopes of direct qualification to the World Cup. The top two from each of three Asian groups qualify automatically for the 2026 finals but Bento will not now be around for the conclusion of the campaign. 'The UAE Football Association has decided to dismiss the head coach of the national team, Portuguese Paulo Bento, along with his coaching staff,' UAEFA said in a message on social media on Wednesday. Bento, who guided Portugal to the semi-finals of Euro 2012 and South Korea to the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup, had led the Emirates to 14 wins, six draws and six losses since he took over in July 2023. The UAE are assured of a spot in the fourth round of qualifying should they fail to secure an automatic ticket after the Uzbekistan clash and their final qualifier in Kyrgyzstan five days later. Ihab urges Palestine to power on after historic triumph: Ihab Abujazar could not hide his pride after Palestine edged Iraq 2-1. Trailing for most of the match, two goals in the space of eight minutes turned despair into joy for Palestine after efforts from Wessam Abouli (88th) and Ahmed Mahajneh (90th+6) cancelled Aymen Hussein's first half opener for Iraq as they celebrated a first ever victory at this stage of the Asian Qualifiers. While victory wasn't enough to keep them in the race for the two automatic spots to the Finals, the three points mean they are in the mix for the two playoff spots from the group. 'We thank God for this victory, it is very important for us. We prepared well for the match after losing to Jordan (on Thursday),' said Ihab.
Times of Oman
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Oman beat Kuwait to boost World Cup qualification hopes
MUSCAT - Oman's Red Warriors continued their excellent run as they recorded a thrilling 1-0 win against hosts Kuwait to boost their chances of a place at the FIFA World Cup on Tuesday. Rasheed Jaber's side win in the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 consolidated their hold on fourth place in Group B as they now have 10 points from eight games. South Korea top the group with 16 and are followed by Jordan (13) and Iraq (12). Issam Al Sabhi scored the game's only goal in the 56th minute to open up a five point gap over fifth-placed Kuwait with two rounds remaining. Oman now have matches against the Jordanians and Palestine to come in June. The first two finishers in the group qualify directly to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico while the third and fourth placed teams progress into a fourth round. On the pitch at Jaber Al Ahmed International Stadium in Ardiyah in Kuwait, a blunder by Oman goalkeeper Ibrahim Al Mukhaini almost yielded a seventh minute opener for Kuwait, the ball landing at the feet of Khaled Hajiah as the Oman goalkeeper attempted to launch a quick counterattack but the central defender's goal-bound shot was deflected over the bar. Hajiah then headed off target at the resulting corner while Al Sabhi pulled his effort wide moments later at the other end of the pitch. It took until the 32nd minute for the visitors to gain another sight of goal, Arshad Al Alawi crashing a right-foot shot from 20 yards out towards goal that had goalkeeper Khaled Al Rashidi scrambling across his line, only for the ball to find the side-netting. By the 11th minute of the second half the visitors had gone ahead. Amjad Al Harthi was released down the right before swinging in a first time cross that Al Sabhi powered past Al Rashidi with a downward header. The Omanis threatened again as the hour mark approached, Al Alawi shooting straight at Al Rashidi from outside the area after Jameel Al Yahmadi had scampered down the right wing. With a quarter of the game remaining Kuwait thought they had been awarded a penalty after Thani Al Rushaidi's challenge on Salman Al Awadhi only for the decision to be overturned on review. Eid Al Rashedi shot straight at Al Mukhaini while Mohammad Daham and Fahad Al Hajeri were off target with their attempts for the home side as the clock ticked down, leaving the Omanis to depart Kuwait City with the valuable points.
