Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kazan: Australia talisman Tim Cahill shot down talk of retirement on Thursday as he targets becoming just the fourth player to score at four FIFA World Cups alongside luminaries such as Pele.
But first he has to hope Australia's Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk gives him the nod from the substitutes' bench.
Socceroos great Cahill is responsible for nearly half of Australia's 11 World Cup goals to date.
And although he is expected to start all three Group C games -- against France, Peru and Denmark -- on the bench, Cahill's dream of becoming just the fourth player after Brazil's Pele and Germans Uwe Seeler and Miroslav Klose to score in four World Cups remains intact.
At 38 years old, time is against the Australian, who says he has "spent a whole year getting ready for three games".
Cahill underlined his personal ambitions, and those of an Australia team hoping to stun Euro 2016 finalists France in Kazan, on Saturday.
www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_world_cup/video/all_you_need_to_know_australia.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Moscow: Australia will go into the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia as Asia's top-ranked team and the Socceroos are clear of their target - to achieve another new high.
Their best achievement in the FIFA World Cup was their appearance in the Round of 16 in the 2006 edition and Australia, who qualified for Russia 2018 after a gruelling campaign, are quietly optimistic of their chances of equalling, if not bettering, that.
They will have to be at their best though for 1998 World Cup winners France, Denmark and Peru will be formidable opposition.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kazan: A one-time A-League reject who sought to reignite his career in Malaysia's top flight, Australia's Andrew Nabbout is poised to cap a remarkable career revival with a 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia debut against France on Saturday.
And if the rookie Australia striker gets the nod from coach Bert van Marwijk, he has pledged to make it count.
"If I do get the honour to lead the line, you know what you're going to get out of me," Nabbout said at the Socceroos training camp in Kazan on Wednesday.
"I'm going to work hard up there and do exactly what I've been doing the last few games."
The 25-year-old front man from Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds scored his maiden goal for Australia in a recent 4-0 friendly win over the Czech Republic.
He now has a golden chance to stake his claim for the sole striker's spot in van Marwijk's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation during this FIFA World Cup campaign.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kazan: Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan has warned France that a new, improved Australia team are plotting an early 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia shock when the sides meet in Kazan on Saturday.
"Come the France game, we're going to be ready... and giving ourselves opportunities to win this game," the Brighton stopper warned."We can't wait for Saturday."
Australia arrived in Kazan on Sunday, and Bert van Marwijk's side - fresh from two morale-boosting wins over the Czech Republic (4-0) and Hungary (2-1) - are on a high.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Saint Petersburg: The awe-inspiring Saint Petersburg Stadium will be the setting for Morocco and IR Iran’s first experience of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia roller coaster, a ride that is a little bit special for both of them.
The last time the Atlas Lions took part, it was two decades ago at France 1998, and under the tutelage of Herve Renard they are desperate to make the most of this opportunity.
IR Iran enter having reached successive World Cups for the very first time. With Carlos Queiroz set to end his seven years at the helm post-tournament, his charges will be equally motivated.
The three-time AFC Asian Cup winners will be without the suspended Saeid Ezatolahi, and Team Melli will also be sweating on Mehdi Taremi's and Askhan Dejagah's injuries. Morocco, meanwhile, will be hoping Nabil Dirar is passed fit.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Japan coach Akira Nishino has fired a warning shot at Colombia, his team’s first opponents at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, saying the South Americans should expect the unexpected from the Samurai Blue in their Group H encounter on June 19 in Saransk.
Nishino’s side picked up their first win on Tuesday in their third game under their new coach – following losses to Ghana and Switzerland – since replacing Vahid Halilhodzic with a 4-2 victory over Paraguay in their final warm-up before travelling to Russia.
“In the three games I’ve just been experimenting, whether it’s with the formation or the players I picked,” Nishino said. “I completely changed the team from the Swiss game and I wanted to see how they responded.
“As you might be able to imagine, we’ve kept a few things to ourselves, including set-pieces. If I were Colombia, I think I’d have a hard time reading into our team. There are things we’ve been able to show and things we haven’t been able to show up until now.
“Everything we’re doing right now is for the Colombia game.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
St. Petersburg: Korea Republic captain Ki Sung-yueng is one of those players who isn't afraid to express his thoughts and feelings.
In a recent friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ki threw away his captain's armband in the locker room during the halftime break after his side conceded two goals at home.
After Korea Republic were held to a 0-0 draw against Bolivia in their pre-2018 FIFA World Cup Russia tune-up match in Austria, the Swansea City midfielder told reporters that he felt like he was a "liar" since he couldn't keep his word to fans with the poor results.