AFC Asian Cup
The 24 teams hoping to advance to the continental showpiece will face double headers, with the reverse fixtures to be played on Tuesday.
With only the six groups winners to advance to the Finals, join the-AFC.com as we take a look at what can be expected on Thursday.
With only the six groups winners to advance to the Finals, join the-AFC.com as we take a look at what can be expected on Thursday.
Group A
Timor-Leste v Philippines
Venue: Territory Rugby League Stadium (Darwin)
Kick-off: 19:00 (UTC+9:30)
Tajikistan v Maldives
Venue: Hisor Central Stadium (Hisor)
Kick-off: 18:00 (UTC+5)
Philippines and Tajikistan will be aiming to continue their good starts, with both on four points with Timor-Leste one behind.
Philippines look to have the tougher test, playing Timor-Leste in the neutral venue of Darwin.
Timor-Leste kept themselves in the running for qualification with a 1-0 defeat of Maldives on Matchday Two and will not want their momentum to be derailed.
Tajikistan will welcome Maldives to the Hisor Central Stadium and will be confident of their chances, with the South Asian side having lost both their earlier matches.
Group B
Brunei Darussalam v Yemen
Venue: Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium (Bandar Seri Begawan)
Kick-off: 16:00 (UTC+8)
Lebanon v Bhutan
Venue: Grand Hamad Stadium (Doha)
Kick-off: 19:00 (UTC+3)
Lebanon will expect to maintain pole position in Group B with victory against Bhutan at the neutral venue of the Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha.
The West Asian side were held to a goalless draw by Yemen on Matchday Two and will not want to slip up again, especially as defeat could potentially see them conceding the top spot.
Bhutan, on one point, need victory if they are to stay in the race.
Yemen will be up against a buoyant Brunei Darussalam who scored a morale-boosting 2-1 win against Bhutan on Matchday Two.
Yemen have yet to register a win, with both their earlier matches ending in draws.
Group C
Singapore v India
Venue: National Stadium (Singapore)
Kick-off: 19:30 (UTC+8)
Bangladesh v Hong Kong, China
Venue: National Stadium Dhaka (Dhaka)
Kick-off: 20:00 (UTC+6)
Singapore and Hong Kong, China will enter Matchday Three with both on four points and victories could see Group C becoming a two-horse race at the end of Matchday Three.
Singapore will host India, who only have a point to show from what has been a difficult campaign so far.
Hong Kong, China, who ended a 55-year wait by qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, travel to face Bangladesh, who also need victory after garnering a single point from their earlier matches.
Group D
Sri Lanka v Turkmenistan
Venue: Race Course International Stadium (Colombo)
Kick-off: 15:45 (UTC+5:30)
Thailand v Chinese Taipei
Venue: Rajamangala Stadium (Bangkok)
Kick-off: 19:30 (UTC+7)
Turkmenistan will be out to further tighten their grip on Group D, with the Central Asian side holding a two-point lead after notching wins in their earlier matches.
They face Sri Lanka away and this could be a tricky tie as a win for the South Asian side will take them level with Turkmenistan.
Thailand will host Chinese Taipei at the Rajamangala Stadium knowing that victory is their only option after their 3-1 defeat to Turkmenistan on Matchday Two.
Chinese Taipei will be equally desperate for victory after suffering defeats on their earlier ties.
Group E
Pakistan v Afghanistan
Venue: Jinnah Stadium (Islamabad)
Kick-off: 14:00 (UTC+5)
Syria v Myanmar
Venue: Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium (Al Ahsa)
Kick-off: 19:15 (UTC+3)
Group E is set for an exciting matchday with Syria and Myanmar to square off in Al Ahsa.
Both are on six points, with Syria ahead on goal difference, and victories over the next two matchdays could well see the top spot decided well in advance.
Pakistan will welcome Afghanistan to the Jinnah Stadium with both sides desperately in need of points.
Group F
Laos v Malaysia
Venue: Lao National Stadium KM16 (Vientiane)
Kick-off: 19:00 (UTC+7)
Vietnam v Nepal
Venue: Binh Duong Stadium (Binh Duong)
Kick-off: 19:30 (UTC+7)
Malaysia travel to face Laos in Vientiane as the Group F leaders with six points.
Laos are three behind but will be up for the task, with their fans behind them.
Vietnam will face Nepal with both teams requiring wins to stay on track for qualification.
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