Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Istanbul: Islamic Republic of Iran produced a fighting performance as they went down 2-1 to Turkey in a pre-2018 FIFA World Cup Russia friendly match at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium on Monday.
Cenk Tosun, of English Premier League club Everton, fired a brace but Carlos Queiroz's team would have been pleased with their performance.
IR Iran, Asia's top ranked team, suffered an early blow as Tosun fired Turkey ahead after just six minutes, beating Rouzbeh Cheshmi before unleashing a powerful shot which found the back of the net.
IR Iran fought back, with Alireza Jahanbakhsh setting up Ehsan Haji Safi but his shot was saved by the Turkey goalkeeper.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
St. Gallen: Mario Balotelli scored for Italy as they beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in an international friendly in St. Gallen on Monday.
The friendly was part of Saudi Arabia's preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, where they will face hosts Russia in the tournament opener on June 14.
Saudi Arabia coach Juan Antonio Pizzi was pleased with his team's performance despite the defeat.
"In the second half we held our own against one of the best teams in the world," said Pizzi. "Although they are not in the World Cup, they have a great coach, an unparalleled history."
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Istanbul: Carlos Queiroz may have signalled his intention to stand down as Islamic Republic of Iran coach upon the completion of the country’s involvement in the FIFA World Cup Finals, but the Portuguese tactician does not believe his impending departure will have a negative impact on his side’s performance in Russia 2018 next month.
The former Real Madrid head coach will lead his team into matches with Morocco, Spain and his native Portugal in the group phase of this summer’s tournament with the goal of taking the Iranians into the second round for the first time in the country’s history.
And the 65-year-old is confident his players will be fully focused on achieving that goal when they kick off their 2018 campaign in St. Petersburg against Morocco on June 15 despite stating his desire to end his seven-year stint with Iran.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Daegu: Korea Republic defeated Honduras 2-0 in a pre-2018 FIFA World Cup Russia friendly match in Daegu on Monday, with Tottenham Hotspur attacker Son Heung-min delivering a picture-perfect opener in the second half.
Son broke the scoreless deadlock near the hour mark at Daegu Stadium, some 300 kilometres southeast of Seoul, firing a shot off his left foot from just outside the top of the circle. Then substitute Moon Seon-min, in his international debut, netted the insurance goal in the 71st.
This was the first of two tune-up matches for the FIFA World Cup-bound Korea Republic. They'll next face Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday in Jeonju, before head coach Shin Tae-yong whittles down his training camp roster of 26 to the squad of 23.
Korea Republic extended their undefeated home streak to 16 matches, with 13 wins and three draws, a run that dates back to March 2015.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Japan will kick off their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign against Colombia on June 19, before taking on Senegal and Poland in their second and third Group H ties. The-AFC.com takes a look at the Samurai Blue’s top three moments at the World Cup so far.
Ever since making their debut at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, Japan have experienced many highs and lows over the years. Here are some of their best moments on the global stage in the five tournaments they have featured in since then:
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.
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.