Asian Football News

Uzbekistan Name Squad For Bahrain 2010 Qualifier

zamakh — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:43:06 +0000

Uzbekistan have named their squad for Wednesday’s vital 2010 World Cup qualifier against Bahrain.Coach Mirdjalal Kasimov has called all his overseas-based players for the Tashkent clash, one that Uzbekistan, last in Group One with only one point from three games, must win.“We will choose 18 footballers who are in the best condition after the camp and we will not play any friendly till the Bahrain game,” Kasimov was quoted as saying by the AFC’s official site.Bahrain are in similar desperate need of points and it promises to be a tough match. “We have already played many matches and know each other very well,” said Kasimov. “We saw videos of their recent matches and hope to get a positive result from the match.” “Every match is very important for us. In final stage you must fight for every point.” Uzbekistan Squad: Goalkeepers: Ignatiy Nesterov, Temur Juraev (both Pakhtakor), Mikhail Naumov (Mashal)Defenders: Anvar Gafurov, Ruslan Melzitdinov, Hayrulla Karimov, Sahob Juraev (all Bunyodkor), Anzur Ismailov (Pakhtakor), Artyom Filiposyan (Mashal), Ismal Turahojaev (Neftchi), Hikmatjon Hoshimov (Metallurg), Vitaliy Denisov (Dnipro, Ukraine) Midfielders: Timur Kapadze, Jasur Hasanov, Server Djeparov (all Bunyodkor), Odil Akhmedov, Ildar Magdeev (both Pakhtakor), Vagiz Galiullin (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Fazil Musaev (Nasaf), Aziz Ibragimov (Bohemians, Prague) Forwards: Ulugbek Bakaev, Anvar Soliev (both Bunyodkor), Maksim Shatskikh (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine), Farhod Tadjiev (Pakhtakor), Shahboz Erkinov (Pas, Iran), Ilyas Kurbanov (Dynamo Samarqand)

Iran Coach Ali Daei: Park Ji-Sung Is Dangerous

zamakh — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:33:54 +0000

Ahead of next Wednesday’s 2010 World Cup qualifier against South Korea, Iran coach Ali Daei has pinpointed the player that he fears the most.The former Bayern Munich striker was in Dubai to watch Korea take on Bahrain in a friendly earlier this week which ended 2-2.“The game between Bahrain and Korea was played with a second-string team.The result of that was not important,” Daei said. Team Melli’s boss knows that the Taeguk Warriors will be a different proposition in Tehran on February 11 as Park Ji-sung lines up. “He is a very dangerous player. When he plays, Korea are a better team,” Daei said and added. “Korea are a very good team and it will be a very tough match, even so, we can win.”South Korea are on top of the group with seven points from three games, Iran are two points behind in second. Daei believes that his team is getting better all the time. “We have improved a lot since the last stage of qualifying, our young players are becoming more experienced.”(goal.com)

Saudi Arabia Defeat Thailand In World Cup Warm-Up

zamakh — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:32:58 +0000

Saudi Arabia warmed up for next week’s 2010 World Cup qualifier in North Korea by defeating Thailand 2-1 in Japan. The Arabians chose to play in the northern city of Sendai to prepare for Pyongyang and controlled most of the game.Saudi Arabia couldn’t find a way past the excellent Thai goalkeeper Kosin Hathairattanakool until two minutes past the hour.Rayan Bilal headed home the opener after good work from Abdo Atif and just three minutes later, Sultan Al Namri doubled the lead. Thailand, without some of their key players, netted a consolation courtesy of Teerasil Dangda in the last minute. Saudi Arabia have four points from three games in Group Two of qualification, the same as North Korea. South Korea lead with seven points.

Iran Call Up Some, Not All, Overseas Stars For Korean Clash

zamakh — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:31:37 +0000

Iran have named their 25-man squad for next week’s 2010 World Cup qualifier against South Korea in Tehran. Iran are in second in Group Two, two points behind the visitors and have called up some - but not all - of their big guns for the clash. Osasuna pair Javad Nekounam and Masoud Shojaei will fly home together and will join Vfl Bochum striker Vahid Hashemian in Tehran. There is no room for Mahdi Mahdavikia of Eintracht Frankfurt, Barnsley’s new loan signing Andranik Teymourian and Fereydoon Zandi of Alki Larnaca, Cyprus. Ali Daei hopes that the fans will play their part at the Azadi Stadium.“I am sure that Team Melli fans realise the importance of our match against Korea and I hope they will pack the Azadi Stadium to support us.” Iran Squad:Goalkeepers: Mehdi Rahmati (Mes Kerman), Vahid Talebloo (Esteghlal), Rahman Ahmadi (Sepahan). Defenders: Hadi Aghili (Sepahan), Jalal Hosseini (Saipa), Pirouz Ghorbani (Esteghlal), Mohsen Bengar (Sepahan), Hossein Kaebi (Saipa), Majid Gholamnejad (Pas), Sattar Zare (Bargh), Hasan Ashjari (Zob Ahan). Midfielders: Maziar Zare (Perspolis), Kianoush Rahmati (Saipa), Hossein Kazemi (Esteghlal), Karim Bagheri (Perspolis), Reza Khalatbari (Zob Ahan), Mohamad Nouri (Saba Battery), Meysam Baoo (Abu Moslem), Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan), Masoud Shojaei (Osasuna, Spain), Javad Nekounam (Osasuna, Spain). Strikers: Arash Borhani (Esteghlal), Seyed Salehi (Peykan), Siavash Akbarpour (Esteghlal), Vahid Hashemian (VfL Bochum, Germany). (goal.com)

Late Lee Earns South Korea Draw In Bahrain Friendly

zamakh — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:30:35 +0000

In-form striker Lee keun-ho struck in the last minute to give South Korea a 2-2 draw against Bahrain in a Wednesday night friendly in Dubai.The match was a warm-up for next week’s World Cup qualifiers when Bahrain take on Uzbekistan and Korea travel to Iran. After a quiet first half, the action got going after the break. Abdulla Abdo was adjudged to have been brought down just after the hour and Faouzi Aaish fired home from the spot. With ten minutes remaining, Kim Jung-woo fired home the visitor’s equalizer but soon after, substitute Adrulrahman Mubarek restored Bahrain’s lead from close range. Bahrain looked to be heading for a second successive win against the 2002 World Cup semi-finalists but in the fourth minute of injury time, Lee Keun-ho headed home the equaliser. (goal.com)

Australia Recall Grella And North For Japan World Cup Showdown

zamakh — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:28:35 +0000

Australia Head Coach Pim Verbeek has selected 22 players in his squad for the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier Round 4 match against Japan in Yokohama on Wednesday 11 February 2009.Midfielder Vincenzo Grella returns to the Socceroos having missed the past three 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier Round 4 matches against Uzbekistan, Qatar and Bahrain due to injury. Jade North also returns to the squad having recently transferred from the Newcastle Jets to Incheon United in the Korea Republic. The Socceroos will go into the match sitting at the top of Group A of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Round 4.In the other Group A match on Wednesday night, Uzbekistan host Bahrain in Tashkent, whilst Qatar have the Bye. (goal.com)

Japan Thrash Finland In World Cup Warm-Up

zamakh — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:26:43 +0000

Shinji Okazaki was the hero on Wednesday night as Japan warmed up for next week’s vital 2010 World Cup qualifier against Australia with a 5-1 thrashing of Finland in Tokyo.After recent struggles in front of goal, Japan went to town on their opponents, who were fielding an understrength team.Striker Shinji Okazaki opened the scoring after 15 minutes and then doubled the host’s lead just after the half hour. There was still time before the break for Shinji Kagawa to score a fine individual goal to put Japan three goals to the good.The Finns hit back just after the break thanks to Roni Porokara but it was a short-lived revival as seven minutes later, Yuji Nakazawa headed home a fourth. Coach Takeshi Okada was a happy man after the match. ”This is a Test match. But Australia are a stronger team than Finland and we still have some more days to improve,” Okada told reporters.“First of all, we must eliminate their chances off set-piece plays. Hopefully, we can play our best football next week,” he added.(goal.com)

South Korea Announce 2018/2022 World Cup Bid

zamakh — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:54:50 +0000

South Korea has declared that it will bid for the 2018 or 2022 World Cups.The Korean Football Association (KFA) announced on Tuesday that FIFA had been informed that the 2002 co-hosts will make another attempt. “There is a strong chance that either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup will come to Asia but even if there was only a 10% chance, we would have to get ready,” recently elected Korean Football Association chief Cho Chung-yun told Sports Chosun. “We want to make the people excited. It was not a sudden decision, we have been looking into this for some time.” “We all know the effect that 2002 had on the people. If we do it host the World Cup once again, the effect will be huge,” added Cho. Japan, the United States, Spain-Portugal, Netherlands-Belgium, Mexico, Australia, England, Russia, Indonesia and Qatar have also thrown their hats in the ring for the 2018 or 2022 finals. FIFA will simultaneously announce the hosts of both tournaments in December 2010. with this bid, there’s four asian country bid for 2018 / 2022 finals (if we count australia as asia, which is i don’t really feel like that). that is Qatar, Indonesia, Australia and South Korea.

Australia Formally Enter 2018 World Cup Race

zamakh — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:52:13 +0000

Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chairman, Frank Lowy AC, announced today that Australia has now formally entered the field in its bid to host the FIFA World Cup.Initial expressions of interest to FIFA, the world governing body for the sport, are required from bidding nations by tomorrow. “We have submitted Australia’s expression of interest in hosting either the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup tournaments,” Mr Lowy said. “This marks the beginning of a long and important journey, not just for football but for Australia, until we know the outcome in December next year. “As a nation, sport has provided some of our most compelling and defining national memories. “We believe this is a passion and commitment that can be shared with the world, and it would form part of a living and lasting legacy to the world from Australia,” Mr Lowy said. ”The bid will also help the world understand that Australia is a ‘can do’ country, where important, major events can happen with a minimum of fuss and a minimum of worry. “This has always been a very important attribute, but will become increasingly more so in this century,” Mr Lowy said. Mr Lowy said FFA is unperturbed by reports of bids from a large and growing number of other countries. “We are not surprised by the interest from across the world in hosting this prestigious event. “Football is a truly global sport, and sport not only has the power, but also a responsibility, to help unite people and nations. “Australia understands this intuitively, and we know we have the capacity, experience and expertise to deliver a successful FIFA World Cup.” Mr Lowy said the next milestone in the journey to host the FIFA World Cup will occur in mid-March when further Bid documentation is required.

Jakarta’s Famous Stadium Gets Approval For Manchester United Match

zamakh — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 03:51:29 +0000

The Gelora Bung Karno Stadium has been given the thumbs up from representatives of Manchester United and promoters of the event who made an official visit to Jakarta recently. The English football club will be heading to Asia later this year and where they will play one game in the capital city of Jakarta, with the 80,000-capacity Gelora Bung Karno Stadium already identified as the venue.The delegates to Jakarta consisted of four representatives from Manchester United and three from promoters ProEvents.“The facility at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium is certainly impressive and I don’t think that we will need any improvements. We will just need to finalise the schedule,” said Julian Kam, the chief executive officer of ProEvents after the inspection.“They are very happy with the condition at the Gelora Bung Karno, which means that we are now just waiting for the kick-off time of the match against Manchester United,” said Nugraha Besoes, the general secretary of the Indonesia FA (PSSI).