AFC Asian Qualifiers
Thrilling action across the continent saw 231 goals being scored in 90 matches at a ratio of 2.57 per match with several players being the creative fulcrum behind those goals.
The-AFC.com picks the best assists across the qualification campaign, brought to you by Qatar Airways, and asks you – the fans of Asian football – to vote for your favourite assist.
The-AFC.com picks the best assists across the qualification campaign, brought to you by Qatar Airways, and asks you – the fans of Asian football – to vote for your favourite assist.
Takefusa Kubo (Japan) vs Indonesia
Japan ended a near-perfect campaign with a 6-0 victory over Indonesia with Takefusa Kubo providing a moment of class when his incredible no-look lofted ball found Shuto Machino for Japan’s fifth goal.
Japan ended a near-perfect campaign with a 6-0 victory over Indonesia with Takefusa Kubo providing a moment of class when his incredible no-look lofted ball found Shuto Machino for Japan’s fifth goal.
Lee Kang-in (Korea Republic) vs Oman
Korea Republic broke the deadlock against Oman on Matchday Seven thanks to Lee Kang-in, whose pass from close to the centre circle split open the visitors’ defence and found Hwang Hee-chan who brilliantly brought the ball under control before applying the finish.
Korea Republic broke the deadlock against Oman on Matchday Seven thanks to Lee Kang-in, whose pass from close to the centre circle split open the visitors’ defence and found Hwang Hee-chan who brilliantly brought the ball under control before applying the finish.
Akram Afif (Qatar) vs DPR Korea
Another wonderful assist cut open the visitors’ backline as this time it was Akram Afif whose through ball from his own half was perfectly measured for Ahmed Al Ganehi and he finished clinically as the Maroons cruised to a 5-1 win in Doha.
Another wonderful assist cut open the visitors’ backline as this time it was Akram Afif whose through ball from his own half was perfectly measured for Ahmed Al Ganehi and he finished clinically as the Maroons cruised to a 5-1 win in Doha.
Gao Zhunyi (China PR) vs Indonesia
Next up on the list is China PR’s Gao Zhunyi whose magnificent outside-of-the-foot assist was the perfect example of vision and execution, finding the onrushing Zhang Yuning for the team’s second goal in a 2-1 success versus Indonesia.
Next up on the list is China PR’s Gao Zhunyi whose magnificent outside-of-the-foot assist was the perfect example of vision and execution, finding the onrushing Zhang Yuning for the team’s second goal in a 2-1 success versus Indonesia.
Salem Al Dawsari (Saudi Arabia) vs Bahrain
Saudi Arabia registered a crucial 2-0 win against Bahrain on the penultimate matchday that aided their progression to the fourth round with captain Salem Al Dawsari getting the wheels rolling when his lovely ball from just outside the box found Musab Al Juwayr, who side-footed home a volley with his first touch.
Saudi Arabia registered a crucial 2-0 win against Bahrain on the penultimate matchday that aided their progression to the fourth round with captain Salem Al Dawsari getting the wheels rolling when his lovely ball from just outside the box found Musab Al Juwayr, who side-footed home a volley with his first touch.
Junya Ito (Japan) vs China PR
The next assist comes from all the way back on Matchday One when Japan cruised to a 7-0 victory over China PR as Junya Ito turned from a goalscorer to a provider within 10 minutes, delivering a precise ball into the box from the right wing which was headed into the net by Daizen Maeda.
The next assist comes from all the way back on Matchday One when Japan cruised to a 7-0 victory over China PR as Junya Ito turned from a goalscorer to a provider within 10 minutes, delivering a precise ball into the box from the right wing which was headed into the net by Daizen Maeda.
Yazan Al Naimat (Jordan) vs Oman
Another touch of class as the ever-impressive Yazan Al Naimat played in an outside-of-the-foot pass from the left wing to Ali Olwan in the box for his second of the night, as Olwan went on to net a hat-trick to power Jordan to their first ever FIFA World Cup.
Another touch of class as the ever-impressive Yazan Al Naimat played in an outside-of-the-foot pass from the left wing to Ali Olwan in the box for his second of the night, as Olwan went on to net a hat-trick to power Jordan to their first ever FIFA World Cup.
Hwang In-beom (Korea Republic) vs Kuwait
Korea Republic navigated a tricky away test against Kuwait, emerging as 3-1 winners with Hwang In-beom proving to be the catalyst for the opener in the 10th minute when his measured cross into the box was headed into the back of the net by Oh Se-hun.
Korea Republic navigated a tricky away test against Kuwait, emerging as 3-1 winners with Hwang In-beom proving to be the catalyst for the opener in the 10th minute when his measured cross into the box was headed into the back of the net by Oh Se-hun.
Marselino Ferdinan (Indonesia) vs Bahrain
The Garuda picked up a pivotal 1-0 win against Bahrain on Matchday Eight as Ole Romeny scored the game’s only goal in the 24th minute, with Marselino Ferdinan the key after displaying wonderful touch to bring the ball under his control before laying it on a plate for his Oxford United teammate.
The Garuda picked up a pivotal 1-0 win against Bahrain on Matchday Eight as Ole Romeny scored the game’s only goal in the 24th minute, with Marselino Ferdinan the key after displaying wonderful touch to bring the ball under his control before laying it on a plate for his Oxford United teammate.
Abbosbek Fayzullaev (Uzbekistan) vs Kyrgyz Republic
Abbosbek Fayzullaev continues to improve with each passing game, as was displayed in Uzbekistan’s 1-0 win against neighbours Kyrgyz Republic when, despite being surrounded by six defenders, the 21-year-old managed to play in Khojiakbar Alijonov, whose finish just about trickled over the line.
Abbosbek Fayzullaev continues to improve with each passing game, as was displayed in Uzbekistan’s 1-0 win against neighbours Kyrgyz Republic when, despite being surrounded by six defenders, the 21-year-old managed to play in Khojiakbar Alijonov, whose finish just about trickled over the line.
Kaoru Mitoma (Japan) vs Bahrain
Japan’s star left winger Kaoru Mitoma provided a glimpse of his abilities against Bahrain on Matchday Two when he kept himself onside on the left wing, before laying the ball on a plate with his second touch for Hidemasa Morita to sweep home.
Japan’s star left winger Kaoru Mitoma provided a glimpse of his abilities against Bahrain on Matchday Two when he kept himself onside on the left wing, before laying the ball on a plate with his second touch for Hidemasa Morita to sweep home.
Mitchell Duke (Australia) vs Saudi Arabia
Socceroos forward Mitchell Duke teased Saudi defender Abdulelah Al Amri near the touchline before playing a neat reverse ball into the path of Connor Metcalfe as he slotted home the equaliser en route to Australia defeating Saudi Arabia 2-1 in Jeddah to seal their spot at next year’s FIFA World Cup.
Socceroos forward Mitchell Duke teased Saudi defender Abdulelah Al Amri near the touchline before playing a neat reverse ball into the path of Connor Metcalfe as he slotted home the equaliser en route to Australia defeating Saudi Arabia 2-1 in Jeddah to seal their spot at next year’s FIFA World Cup.
Poll ends at 17:00 (UTC+8) on Aug 1
