AFC
Vientiane
Head coach Marquez Lopez remained positive despite Qatar having to settle for a 2-2 draw against North Korea in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 on Tuesday.
Akram Affif canceled out Ri Il Song’s opener with Almoez Ali giving Qatar the lead just before the break, however, North Korea fought back to level the tie through Kang Kuk Chol as both teams registered their first point after opening day defeats.
“We started the match with the goal of winning, which was reflected in our attacking formation and our performance throughout the two halves,” said Lopez. “We controlled the match and dominated its course and were close to achieving victory but the circumstances changed after half-time, due to the rain, so the draw came with the taste of a loss.
“Both teams were on equal terms in the first half but we were better for most of the periods and managed to equalise early. After the red card for the Korean player, we made offensive changes in order to score and we came out winners in the first half.”
North Korea equalised in the second half following Kang’s set-piece but despite Qatar having the lion’s share of possession when the match resumed, the two-time AFC Asian Cup champions could not convert their chances.
“In the second half, DPR Korea equalised from a set-piece and it is true that we were superior in numbers but the rain-soaked pitch did not allow us to move quickly and pass the ball comfortably, especially with the defensive formation of the North Korea team, so we were unable to score.”
Lopez, however, remainsconfident of Qatar’s chances ahead of their fixtures against Kyrgyzstand Republic and Iran in October.
“Even though we have one point from two matches, we still have eight games ahead of us. We will do our best to achieve victories and gain the points that will enable us to compete strongly for qualification with the teams in Group A.”
Mixed emotions for
Iran’s coach Ghalenoei, UAE’s Bento
Al Ain: Head coach Amir Ghalenoei was left with mixed feelings after his Iran side remained perfect in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 with a 1-0 victory over United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.
For the second game running, Iran created plenty of chances but had to be satisfied with only a 1-0 win with the 60-year-old left pleased with the points collected but looking to improve his side’s finishing.
“I congratulate Mr. Bento for the good team he has built. It is one of the best teams that UAE has built,” said Ghalenoei. “It was a match that could have ended with a difference of three or four goals and at the same time, was almost a draw.
“Before the game, I said that we had identified the UAE’s strengths in (the match against) Qatar, neutralised them and scored from their weaknesses. In fact, we could have scored more goals.”
“We did not convert 90 percent of our chances. Sometimes football punishes you for that but fortunately, we were not punished today but it is a problem we have to solve.”
Mehdi Ghayedi scored in first half added time but Iran could have added more had Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Mehdi Taremi and Sardar Azmoun been more clinical in front of goal.
After the morale-boosting 3-1 win against Qatar in their opening game, a home defeat was not what head coach Paulo Bento wanted for his UAE side.
The Portuguese was clear where the game turned against his side, admitting the timing of Ghayedi’s goal played a crucial part in the final outcome.
“Of course the result was not good, but I am satisfied with the players’ performance,” said Bento.
“We conceded a goal in the last minute of the first half, and this was the worst moment for the UAE team in the match.
“I think that if we had succeeded in ending the first half goalless, the course of the game in the second half would have been completely different.”
