AFC Qualification
Tuesday sees no less than 11 matches take place as teams attempt to qualify for the main draw of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
Palestine 2-1 Oman
Palestine made it two wins out of two with a victory over Pim Verbeek’s side at the Faisal Al Hussaini Stadium in the West Bank.
The hosts went ahead on 14 minutes when Jonathan Zorilla headed in a Shadi Shaban cross before Yaser Islame doubled Palestine’s lead seven minutes later with a rising shot.
Oman pulled one back just before the break through Ahmed Mubarak, but they could not find the equaliser despite dominating the second half.
Nepal 0-0 Yemen
Yemen stopper Mohammed Ebrahim Al Ayash earned his team a draw away from home as he pulled off a number of superb saves to deny the Nepalese strikers.
Yemen remain in the top two in Group F, thanks to their 2-1 win over Tajikistan in March.
Cambodia 1-0 Afghanistan
A second half strike from midfielder Udom Prak Mony proved the difference between the two sides as Cambodia edged Afghanistan for their first win of their qualification campaign. Afghanistan remain winless in Group C.
Macau 0-4 Myanmar
Myanmar were too strong for rivals Macau in Group A, as a brace from defender Si Thu Aung saw them run out 4-0 victors. The White Angels controlled proceedings from the start and were 2-0 up at the break.
Bhutan 0-2 Maldives
The Maldives, led by manager Ricki Herbert, recorded a vital away win against Bhutan. A 42nd minute penalty from Ali Fasir as well as a 74th minute strike from Ahmed Abdulla were the difference between the two teams on the day. The Maldives have now played two matches in Group D – winning one and losing one while Bhutan have lost both their matches.
Hong Kong 1-1 North Korea
A break in concentration from Hong Kong cost them all three points against unknown quantity North Korea. Hong Kong went into the half-time break in control of the match having just taken the lead courtesy of a fine goal from Tan Chun-Lok. However, just seconds into the second-half and North Korea levelled matter after Yu-Song Kim made no mistake from close range. Both teams are struggling in Group B with just a single point each.
Vietnam 0-0 Jordan
There was at plenty at stake in Group C when Vietnam and Jordan locked horns – the winner was guaranteed of top spot after two games. And the tension showed as neither side were willing to throw numbers forward for fear of being caught on the counter. Consequently, this ended up being an extremely dull affair and the spoils were shared.
Turkmenistan 1-2 Bahrain
Mohamed Al Romaihi and Abdulla Yaser scored for bahrain as they remained unbeaten and moved to the top of 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying Group E. Murat Yakshiyev’s late consolation goal for Turkmenistan had no bearing on the final outcome.
Malaysia 1-2 Lebanon
A Rabih Ataya brace inside the final 10 minutes saw Lebanon deny Malaysia a winning start under new coach Eduardo ‘Nelo’ Vingada. The home team will be extremely frustrated by their poor finish to the match as they were in control for the most part after Mahalli Jasuli’s early goal.
India 1-0 Kyrgyzstan
Sunil Chhetri was on target for India as the skipper produced a brilliant goal in the 69th minute of this contest. That goal ultimately saved his team from a draw. With this result, India are top of Group A with two wins in their two matches.
Tajikistan 3-4 Philippines
Daisuke Sato’s spectacular solo strike with 11 minutes remaining gave Philippines a massive three points in what was without shadow of doubt game of the day. Phil Younghusband and Javier Patino (two) were the other goal scorers for the victorious team who almost squandered a 3-0 lead. Parvizdzhon Umarboev, Dilshod Vasiev and Manuchekhr Dzhalilov found the back of the net for Tajikistan in a losing cause.
