Nepal vs Kuwait
After a shock defeat on matchday one, can Kuwait get their Asia Cup qualification hopes back on track?
On Wednesday, despite taking the lead through Yousef Nasser, the Blue Wave were beaten 2-1 by Indonesia on home soil.
Kuwait have qualified for ten of the last 12 Asia Cups they’ve been eligible for, lifting the trophy in 1980.
Thus, especially as they have home advantage for all Group A matches, it would be a major shock if Vítězslav Lavička’s side didn’t make it.
If they are going to take a top two finish, this is very much must win at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium.
Nepal meanwhile were also beaten in Kuwait City on Wednesday, going down 2-0 against Jordan.
The Gorkhalis though have never qualified for the Asia Cup before, winning just eight of 66 qualification matches before.
So, Kuwait should be too strong.
Indonesia va Jordan
Who will make it two wins out of two in Kuwait City, thereby, almost, rubber stamping their place at next summer’s Asia Cup?
Indonesia caused one of the big upset of the opening round of games, beating hosts and group favourites Kuwait 2-1.
Dutch-born Marc Klok equalising before Rachmat Irianto scored the winner just after half time.
The Red-Whites qualified for four successive Asia Cups between 1996 and 2007, the later as co-hosts, but have missed the last three editions.
However, a win for Shin Tae-yong’s team here would put them on the verge of qualification.
Jordan meanwhile swatted aside Nepal on Wednesday with Ali Olwan and then Hamza Al-Dardour on target.
The Chivalrous have qualified for four of the last five Asia Cups, reaching the round of 16 in 2019, so full expect to qualify again.
A Jordanian victory seems the most likely outcome at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium.
Mongolia vs Philippines
RBM2B6 January 11, 2019 : Stephan Schröck of Philippines during Philippines v China at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE, AFC Asian Cup, Asian Football championship. Ulrik Pedersen/CSM.
Can the Philippines get their AFC Asia Cup campaign back on track?
On matchday one, the Street Dogs were held to a goalless draw by Yemen in Ulaanbaatar.
Philippines made their Asia Cup debut three years ago, led by Sven-Göran Eriksson, so are desperate to qualify once again.
However, having dropped two points on Wednesday, this is simply must win.
Mongolia meanwhile are hosting Group B’s matches but are the lowest-ranked side in this group and are already bottom.
The Blue Wolves held out for so long but eventually succumbed to Palestine, conceding an 85th minute penalty.
Ichiro Otsuka’s team have never qualified for an Asia Cup before, winning just three of their last 17 qualification fixtures.
Thus, Philippines should get the win they need at MFF Football Centre.
Yemen vs Palestine
Meanwhile in Group B, Palestine are looking to all but rubber stamp their place at next summer’s tournament with a second victory.
The Lions of Canaan needed an 85th minute penalty from Oday Dabbagh but did, eventually, beat minnows Mongolia on Wednesday.
Makram Daboub’s side have qualified for each of the last two Asia Cups and are now in a good position to make that three on the bounce.
Yemen meanwhile battled to a goalless draw against Philippines in their group opener.
The Qahtanite Arabs had lost five successive internationals before this, but did make their Asia Cup debut three years ago in the U.A.E.
So, Adel Amrouche’s side are hopeful of qualifying again but, in this one, Palestine should be too strong.
Sri Lanka vs Thailand
Will Thailand make it two wins out of two, thereby all but booked their ticket to the Asia Cup?
On Wednesday, they easily beat Maldives 3-0 with Sarach Yooyen, Teerasil Dangda and Pansa Hemviboon all on target.
The War Elephants made their Asia Cup return in 2019, having missed the previous two editions, reaching the round of 16 before defeat to China PR.
Thus, Alexandré Pölking’s side will be confident of winning this one and making sure they’re at next year’s tournament?
Here, they’re up against the lowest-ranked side still in contention to qualify.
Sri Lanka began this group with a 3-0 defeat to host Uzbekistan, meaning they’ve lost seven successive matches in this cycle, conceding 26 goals.
The Golden Army have never qualified for a major tournament, leaving them 205th in the World Rankings, out of 211.
So, Thailand should cruise to victory in Namangan.
Maldives vs Uzbekistan
Later on at Markaziy Stadium, Uzbekistan will also be aiming for their second victory in this group.
They swatted aside Sri Lanka on Wednesday with goals from Jaloliddin Masharipov, Dostonbek Khamdamov and then Farrukh Sayfiev.
The White Wolves have appeared at all seven Asia Cups since gaining AFC membership, reaching the semi-finals 11 years ago.
Thus, Srečko Katanec’s team are expected to win all three games in this group, and do well at next summer’s tournament.
Maldives, in contrast, were beaten 3-0 by Thailand on Wednesday, so have now lost six of their last eight games in this cycle.
The Red Snappers have never qualified for a major tournament and Francesco Moriero’s team aren’t likely to change that fact.
Uzbekistan should win comfortably.
Cambodia vs Hong Kong
Will Hong Kong move one step closer to Asia Cup qualification with another victory in Group D?
On Wednesday, Wong Wai and then Matt Orr were on target as Hong Kong beat Afghanistan 2-1 in Kolkata.
The Strength haven’t qualified for an Asia Cup since 1968, something Jørn Andersen’s team are on the cusp of changing.
As for Cambodia, they kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 defeat against hosts and group favourites India.
The Angkor Warriors have only appeared at one tournament to date, the Asia Cup 50 years ago, at which they lost to Iran in the semi-finals.
In more modern times, Cambodia have only won six of their last 49 qualification matches, so are rank-outsiders in this group.
Afghanistan vs India
India’s football team pose for a picture ahead of their World Cup 2022 and 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifying football match against Bangladesh at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on October 15, 2019. (Photo by DIBYANGSHU SARKAR / AFP) (Photo by DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP via Getty Images)
The other game in Group D features a similar scenario with India the side looking to make it two wins out of two.
37 year old Sunil Chhetri bagged a brace, including a penalty, as his team downed Cambodia at Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday.
The Blue Tigers have only qualified for four Asia Cups in their history but this does include appearing at the last edition three years ago.
As football continues to grow in India, Igor Štimac’s team are under big pressure to be at next year’s tournament too.
Afghanistan meanwhile need a win if their hopes are to stay alive after a 2-1 defeat to Hong Kong in their group opener.
Farshad Noor’s second international goal halved the deficit late on, but couldn’t spark a comeback.
The Lions of Khorasan have never qualified for an Asia Cup and have only won once of nine games in this cycle, defeating minnows Bangladesh.
So, the home crowd in Kolkata should have another victory to celebrate.
Bangladesh vs Turkmenistan
The two teams in Group E who were beaten on matchday one now meet in Kuala Lumpur, needing to get three points on the board.
First, Turkmenistan were beaten 3-1 by group hosts Malaysia with Altymyrat Annadurdyýew’s eighth international goal coming in vain.
The Greens have appeared at two Asia Cups in the past, 2004 and 2019, but this is now must win if Said Seýidow’s team are to qualify again.
Bangladesh meanwhile were expected to finish rock bottom of this group even before losing 2-0 to Bahrain on Wednesday.
The Bengal Tigers failed to win any of their eight World Cup second round qualifiers having narrowly defeated Laos in a play-off three years ago.
Thus, Turkmenistan should get the required victory.
Malaysia vs Bahrain
Later on at Bukit Jalil National Stadium, the top two will go head-to-head, with the winners booking their place at the Asia Cup.
Baring some mathematically miracle that is.
Hosts Malaysia made the perfect start on Wednesday, beating Turkmenistan with Safawi Rasid, Faisal Halim and La’Vere Corbin-Ong on target.
The Tigers last appeared at an Asia Cup in 2007, as co-hosts, but haven’t qualified for one abroad for 42 years.
Bahrain meanwhile edged out minnows Bangladesh in their first game with Ali Haram and Kamil Al-Aswad the scorers.
The Reds are very much the heavyweights in this group having qualified for each of the last five Asia Cups, last missing one in 2000.
So, will the home fans in Kuala Lumpur be celebrating a win, or will Bahrain be too strong?
Singapore vs Tajikistan
Will Tajikistan all but secure their place at a first-ever Asia Cup?
On Wednesday, they began by hammering Myanmar 4-0, courtesy of goals from Shervoni Mabatshoev, Manuchekhr Dzhalilov and Ehson Panjshanbe.
As mentioned, the Persian Lions have never qualified for an Asia Cup before, but did win four of eight World Cup qualifiers, finishing below only Japan.
Now, another victory for Petar Šegrt’s side would put them on the verge of history.
Singapore meanwhile were beaten 2-1 by Kyrgyz Republic on matchday one, despite actually taking the lead through Song Ui-young.
The Lions sole Asia Cup appearance came as hosts in 1984, winning just 17 of 60 qualification matches subsequently.
So, Tajikistan will fancy their chances of an historic victory at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium.
Myanmar vs Kyrgyz Republic
Later on in Bishkek, hosts and group heavyweights Kyrgyz Republic will also be looking to reach the six-point mark.
They beat Singapore on Wednesday, coming from a goal down, with Valery Kichin and then Viktor Mayer getting the goals.
Kyrgyz Republic made their Asia Cup debut three years ago but reached the round of 16, bowing out to hosts U.A.E. on penalties.
Now, Aleksandr Krestinin’s team are on the verge of a second successive qualification.
Myanmar meanwhile were demolished 4-0 by Tajikistan on Wednesday, leaving their hopes of a first Asia Cup since 1968 hanging by a thread.
The Chinthe finished bottom of their World Cup qualifying group last year, featuring a 10-0 defeat to Japan, their biggest-ever loss.
So, Kyrgyzstan supporters should be celebrating a home win here.
