Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: As coaches announce their national team squads ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the eight AFC Champions League quarter-finalists are sending 14 players to the global event in Russia.
With the final eight of the 2018 AFC Champions League decided and the draw conducted, eyes of Asian football fans turn to Russia for the FIFA World Cup, where five Asian nations will be present. Fans of AFC Champions League quarter-finalists will have one eye on their respective clubs' players looking to make a name for themselves in Russia.
A total of 14 players will be representing seven of the eight finalists, testament to the growing profile of the top club competition in Asia. Qatar's Al Duhail are the only side of the eight with no representatives amongst the 736 players competing for international glory next month.
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ACL Players in 2018 World Cup
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: As the countdown to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia starts to heat up, we take a look at five Asian players that could make a name for themselves next month.
The FIFA World Cup is without a doubt the grandest stage in world football, and it comes as no surprise that a strong showing at just one tournament could massively shape a player's career in the years to come. As such, here are a number of players that could possibly propel themselves into the spotlight when the tournament kicks off in just over two weeks' time.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
The FIFA World Cup is an occasion in which players can turn into heroes for their nations, writing their names in the history books for decades. Here are five Asian players who have done just that over the years.
Leading from the back or scoring memorable goals at the grandest of stages, these 5 players set the bar high for Asian players as five Asian countries head to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
The FIFA World Cup always produces a collection of sensational and memorable goals, and over the years a number of Asian players have contributed to this rich collection of historic FIFA World Cup moments.
With the 2018 FIFA World Cup just weeks away from kicking off in Russia, with Saudi Arabia playing the host nation in the opening match in Moscow on 14 June, we take a look at five iconic goals scored by Asian players in FIFA World Cup history.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hosted the Saudi Arabia squad ahead of their participation in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia next month.
Chairman of Saudi Arabia's Sport Authority Turki Al-Sheikh, tweeted a photograph of the meeting on Wednesday.
"His Highness the Saudi Crown Prince receives players of the national team before their World Cup mission. God willing, they will fulfil our expectations," tweeted Al-Sheikh.
Saudi Arabia, who are in Group A, will have the honour of appearing in the tournament opener when they face hosts Russia on June 14. Also in the group are Egypt and Uruguay.
Saudi Arabia will be appearing in the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2006.
Photo: Turki Al-Sheikh
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Beijing: Fabio Cannavaro is not prone to giving out undue recognition but he passed on strong praise to a member of Korea Republic’s coaching staff when the Taeguk Warriors came to China PR last July to watch Tianjin Quanjian's Kwon Kyung-won.
"He is a good player," the then Tianjin coach told the Korean visitor about Kwon. "He is capable of playing in European leagues. It would be the national team's loss should he not be called up."
It is little known how much of his advice was taken into account. But sure enough, Kwon earned his first national team cap a couple of months later, debuting in a friendly against Russia during which he was on target.
Just last week, the Tianjin centre-back was named in Shin Tae-yong's 28-man provisional squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, an interesting inclusion for a relatively new face who has just four international appearances to his name.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Antalya: They say being there is everything, but it's not enough for Australia.
As the Socceroos continue their build-up for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia next month, they're not content to just make up the numbers.
“We definitely want to keep implanting our impression in the world,” Melbourne Victory attacker James Troisi said after the squad completed a double session at Antalya's impressive Gloria Sports Arena in Turkey.
“We did that in Brazil and we want to do it again in Russia.
“We've taken small steps and obviously we're playing against some of the best players in the world.
“But every time we play these games, we want to stamp our flag in the world.”