Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Seoul: Red-hot Tottenham forward Son Heung-min will lead Korea Republic at two pre-World Cup friendly matches set for later this month in Europe.
Son was among 23 players named to head coach Shin Tae-yong's squad on Monday. Korea Republic, ranked 58th in the world, will face 26th-ranked Northern Ireland in Belfast on March 24, and then take on World No. 7 Poland in Chorzow four days later.
These matches will be good litmus tests for Korea Republic before they face Germany, Mexico and Sweden at the FIFA World Cup in Moscow in June. They will also be the last matches before Shin finalises his World Cup roster in May.
Son has netted seven goals in his last four games in all competitions, including two against Bournemouth in English Premier League action on Sunday.
Son's scoring run is surely a welcome sight for Shin, who also named a pair of other in-form forwards, Kim Shin-wook of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Hwang Hee-chan of Red Bull Salzburg.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/ki_sung-yueng-korea_republic_1.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: Graham Arnold will take over as Australia coach after the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018, replacing Dutchman Bert van Marwijk who was hired on a short-term basis to guide the team in Russia, it was announced on Thursday.
The Sydney FC coach was one of the main candidates to replace Ange Postecoglou, who quit in November after the Socceroos beat Honduras in an intercontinental play-off to qualify for Russia 2018.
But "Arnie", a former Socceroos caretaker boss, wanted to see out his contract with the A-League side and ruled himself out of contention.
Instead Van Marwijk, who took the Netherlands to the 2010 World Cup final, was appointed in January on a five-month contract.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sochi: Though Vahid Halilhodzic has coached several clubs and the Ivory Coast national team, his name continues to be associated with Algeria, whom he led to the Round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, before eventual champions Germany ended their run.
Following his fine results with Les Fennecs, the Bosnian was given the task of leading Japan to Russia 2018. Eliminated in the first round at Brazil 2014, Samurai Blue duly booked their return to the world finals under Halilhodzic, whose goal now is to lead them to the last 16 when they take on the world’s best later this year.
Discussing Japan’s group draw with FIFA.com, Halilhodzic said: “It’s tight, like all the groups at the World Cup. Poland are seventh in the world rankings, Colombia 13th and Senegal 27th. We’re down in 55th, which tells you everything about the challenge we’re facing.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sochi: Islamic Republic of Iran are all set to make their second consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance in a few months, the first time they will have graced two world finals in a row.
And as was the case at Brazil 2014, the Iranians will have Carlos Queiroz at the helm. The experienced Portuguese coach was recently in Sochi attending the Russia 2018 Team Workshop, where preparations for the tournament are being finalised.
“It’s essential for us to have detailed information on the technical aspects of the World Cup and how it’s going to unfold,” said Queiroz.
Absent from the big stage for eight years, Team Melli made their return to the world finals four years ago and built on that achievement by becoming the first Asian team to book their place at Russia 2018, following a near-perfect qualification campaign.
Looking ahead to the competition, the Iran coach spoke to FIFA.com about the new challenges facing his side and the test they will face in a tough Group B, where he will come up against his compatriots, having coached them at South Africa 2010.