Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Antalya: The first of Australia's players have arrived in Antalya, Turkey as preparation officially commences ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
With Bert van Marwijk and his staff getting their first training session under their belt, some big names included in the 26-man extended squad are still yet to arrive as they finish up their club commitments.
A total of 19 players have arrived in Antalya, while Josh Risdon, Mat Ryan, Matthew Jurman, Milos Degenek, Tom Rogic, and Mile Jedinak will make their way into camp shortly.
While Rogic helped Celtic lift the Scottish FA Cup over the weekend, skipper Mile Jedinak is another who can still help his club to glory when he will contest the English Championship play-off final for Aston Villa on Saturday.
Jedinak will be the final player to arrive into camp, with Huddersfield Town’s Aaron Mooy flying out from England overnight to join up with his teammates later on Monday.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/daniel_arzani-australia.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tokyo: New Japan coach Akira Nishino has flagged his 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia hopes by turning to his big hitters for the home friendly with Ghana on May 30.
Talismanic Japan forward Keisuke Honda and playmaker Shinji Kagawa were included by Nishino among a group of 27 players.
Nishino, who took over from Vahid Halilhodzic after the latter's firing last month, is scheduled to name his final 23-man World Cup squad on May 31.
"Of course I expect to pick the World Cup squad from these 27 players," Nishino said.
"Honda and Kagawa have been core players of the national team and I've called them up in the hope that they will be able to contribute."
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Rouzbeh Cheshmi's 17th minute effort secured Islamic Republic of Iran a 1-0 over Uzbekistan as Carlos Queiroz's men kick-started their final phase of preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
The win was a morale booster for IR Iran ahead of their 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia campaign where they are drawn in Group B alongside European champions Portugal, Spain and Morocco.
Saturday's win at the Azadi Stadium was IR Iran's fourth consecutive triumph over Uzbekistan, who narrowly missed out on qualifying for the FIFA World Cup.
Queiroz has named a training squad of 35 players and Saturday's friendly against Uzbekistan and the May 29 tie against Turkey will be the final avenues for the players to prove their selection worth. The final squad will be named by June 4.
IR Iran will open their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 15 before taking on Spain (June 20) and Portugal (June 25).
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia coach Juan Antonio Pizzi is closer to finalising his 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia roster after announcing a 28-man squad to participate in their upcoming camp and friendly matches.
The Green Falcons will feature in the World Cup’s Opening Match against the hosts on June 14, before further Group A outings against Uruguay on June 20 and Egypt on June 25.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Zurich: Bert van Marwijk will be one of the most experienced coaches at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia when he leads Australia into their fourth successive tournament and fifth overall.
The 65-year-old famously led his native Netherlands all the way to the FIFA World Cup Final eight years ago, following a scintillating run through the knockout stage at South Africa 2010.
More recently, Van Marwijk helped Saudi Arabia end their 12-year World Cup drought, only to resign following qualification for Russia 2018.
He then assumed the Australia role left vacant by Ange Postecoglou’s surprise exit last November, after Saudi Arabia had edged the Socceroos on goal difference for an automatic ticket to Russia 2018.
Van Marwijk, who will be Australia’s third Dutch coach in the past four World Cups, has so far had just 10 days and two matches with his new side ahead of an upcoming training camp in Turkey.
Van Marwijk speaks about his new side’s characteristics, the qualities of the France team that Australia will face, the value of experience for a World Cup coach and his memories of South Africa 2010.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Seoul: Korea Republic have unveiled a tentative roster for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 on Monday, headlined by Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min.
Korea Republic head coach Shin Tae-yong announced the roster of 28 players for the World Cup in Russia, where they will face Germany, Sweden and Mexico in Group F.
Korea Republic are scheduled to open their Group F campaign with Sweden in Nizhny Novgorod on June 18 and will face Mexico five days later in Rostov-on-Don. The Taeguk Warriors will take on defending champions Germany in Kazan on June 27.
Shin's preliminary squad has three goalkeepers, 12 defenders, nine midfielders and four forwards.
Shin said he decided to add five more players to his World Cup list because of injured players. Korea Republic lost defenders Kim Jin-su, Kim Min-jae and midfielder Yeom Ki-hun due to injuries.
"I first wanted to select 23 players and build up our teamwork in the upcoming weeks, but because of injured players, I had to change it," Shin said at a press conference at Seoul City Hall.
"I was told that Kim Min-jae and Yeom Ki-hun have to be sidelined for eight to 10 weeks. As for Kim Jin-su, he can jog at this moment, but I will have to decide whether he can stay with us after watching him in our training."
Among the 28, half of them play in the domestic K League, with four players selected from the defending champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
The list also includes a handful of Europe-based players like Son, Ki Sung-yueng of Swansea City, Kwon Chang-hoon of Dijon FCO, Hwang Hee-chan of Red Bull Salzburg and Koo Ja-cheol of FC Augsburg.
There were also surprise selections, Lee Seung-woo of Hellas Verona, Moon Seon-min of Incheon United and Oh Ban-suk of Jeju United. All three have been named to the senior national team for the first time.
"These three players never played for us, but they can also go to the World Cup if they can show impressive performances with us (in the upcoming tuneup matches)," the coach said.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: For the first time in history, we will witness five Asian teams in the FIFA World Cup when Russia 2018 kicks off in Moscow on June 14, with Saudi Arabia playing in the opening match against Russia.
The-AFC.com spoke to former Korea Republic captain and Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung about his expectations of the tournament and how he sees Korea Republic’s chances as they take part in the Finals for the 10th time.