June 16 – Iran overcame Iraq by a single goal in Bahrain to progress to the next round of Qatar 2022 qualifying last night and keep their hopes alive of a third consecutive appearance at the World Cup, and sixth overall qualification.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia also secured their positions in the final 12 of Qatar 2022 qualifying (to be played as two groups of 6 with the top two in each group going through).
The UAE overcame group leaders Vietnam 3-2 to take the group by a point. Saudi Arabia had an easier 3-0 win over Uzbekistan to secure their group win.
Iran finished their group campaign in style, winning all four matches in their return to the Qualifiers. The game against Iraq was tight from start to finish withSardar Azmoun’s first half goal proving enough to complete their turnaround.
Iranian head coach Dragan Skocic was pleased with his team, saying: “We ended a tough tournament because we were under pressure to win our four matches,” said Skocic. “I want to congratulate my players for their efforts.”
Iraq, visibly disappointed by the loss, were nevertheless consoled by qualifying for the next World Cup round as a best placed runner up. China PR, Lebanon, Oman and Vietnam also qualified as best placed runners up and join the already qualified Australia, Japan, South Korea and Syria.
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated the Asian teams on securing their places in the final round of World Cup qualifying as well as the AFC Asian Cup China 2023.
“On behalf of the Asian football family, I would like to congratulate our teams for showcasing incredible quality and consistency to clinch their places in the final round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar as well as the AFC Asian Cup China 2023,” said Shaikh Salman.
The Asian Qualifiers had been suspended from early 2020 when the pandemic hit, and rearranged in centralised venues. To complete the groups 57 matches were played over 19 days across the Continent.
Congratulating member nations for the their commitment to completing the group stages, he also thanks them for delivering the matches in safe environments at a time when covid cases have been surging in many of the AFC’s countries.
“These were extremely exceptional and challenging circumstances. For the first time, we decided to stage the qualifying matches in centralised venues, as part of our unwavering commitment to ensure above all else, the continued safety and wellbeing of our players, teams, officials and all our stakeholders,” said Salman.
“It was a bold but necessary decision under the most difficult circumstances, but through great unity and impeccable coordination, I am pleased to note that our Member Associations delivered on our promise.”
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