The disappointment of Kuwait national coach Mihai Stoichita was evident after his side failed to hang on to the lead as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Lebanon in their opening Group D game in the AFC Asian Cup 2007 qualifiers.

Saudi Arabia coach Marcus Paqueta expressed his dissatisfaction despite watching his side win for the first time since he took charge with a 4-0 away triumph over Yemen in their opening game of the AFC Asian Cup 2007 qualifiers.

Malaysia, who along with Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam will host the AFC Asian Cup 2007, were beaten 2-1 by New Zealand to record their second loss in four days at the hands of the All Whites.

Luka Peruzovic’s tenure as head coach of the Bahrain national team officially ended on Thursday in wake of the Gulf kingdom’s 3-1 Asian Cup 2007 qualifying defeat to Australia.

Provincial Electricity Authority, Thailand Tobacco Monopoly (both from Thailand) and Arema Malang and Persipura Jayapura (both from Indonesia) have been disqualified by the AFC from the AFC Champions League 2006 for failing to fill in their player registration forms in time.

Following Wednesday’s emphatic 6-0 drubbing of India in their opening Asian Cup 2007 qualifier, Japan head coach Zico has recalled a handful of Europe-based stars for his side’s friendly clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Germany next week.

J.League champions Gamba Osaka suffered a setback in their preparations for the AFC Champions League when they went down 3-1 to Urawa Reds in Japan’s Super Cup during the weekend.

Oman international defender Khalifa Ayil went from hero to villain in Al Sadd’s victory over Al Shamal in Round 22 of the 2005/06 Q-League after being sent off in the second half having previously cancelled out Samba N’Diaye’s opener.

Australia became the 16th and last team to qualify for the final rounds 2006 AFC Youth Championship after trouncing Sri Lanka 4-0 on Sunday.

Tobacco Monopoly and Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) lifted some of the gloom from being kicked out of the AFC Champions League with fine wins in the Thailand Premier League on Saturday.