Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riyadh: On September 5, 2017, Fahad Al Muwallad scored the most important goal of his career - a scorching shot that propelled Saudi Arabia all the way to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Finals.
It was the only goal in Saudi Arabia's 1-0 qualifying win against Japan but it was enough to secure the side a place in the Finals for the first time in 12 years.
It was a heady moment for the 23-year-old, originally a substitute, who was feted as a national hero at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.
Since then the Al-Ittihad midfielder, who grew up in the port city of Jeddah, has emerged as one of the kingdom's brightest young talents, and was among key players sent off to Spain to hone their skills for the second half of this season.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/fahad_al-muwallad2-saudi_arabia.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: After qualifying for two consecutive editions of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history, Islamic Republic of Iran will aim to spring a major surprise in Russia, in a fiercely competitive Group B.
IR Iran are joined by 2010 FIFA World Cup winners Spain, 2016 European champions Portugal, as well as Morocco, who did not concede a single goal in six CAF qualifying group games. The Iranians will need to draw on past successes for inspiration, and we look back at their finest World Cup moments so far:
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With the best record of any Asian nation at the FIFA World Cup, Korea Republic will be expected to make waves in Russia this summer. Nine World Cup participations have thrown up many a memorable moment, and the-AFC.com recalls some of their best ones over the decades.
Making their FIFA World Cup debut as far back as 1954, when they finished bottom of Group 2, Korea Republic have qualified for a record 10 tournaments, including the upcoming edition in Russia. Here are their best moments in the World Cup so far:
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Having been drawn into Group A alongside hosts Russia, Uruguay and Egypt, Saudi Arabia will be looking to impress at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. the-AFC.com looks back at the Green Falcons' greatest moments on the world’s grandest stage.
Saudi Arabia made their World Cup bow in 1994 in the United States, and have only missed out on two editions since then, namely South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014. Here are the top three highlights of their four World Cup campaigns.
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
Sydney: Aaron Mooy will provide the midfield spark for Australia as the Socceroos once again attempt to punch above their weight at their fourth straight FIFA World Cup.
The tenacious 27-year-old played a significant role as Huddersfield Town dodged relegation from the English Premier League, most notably in attack but also with his defensive qualities.
Relatively small and slightly built, Mooy's game is based around incisive passing and using a sharp footballing brain to be in the right place at the right time, scoring four league goals this season.
"He has the tenacity of a young boy who just won't quit," said Erik Paartalu, a former teammate of Mooy's at Melbourne City.
"He just wants to win at any cost and if things don't go well he'll push and push and push."
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Sardar Azmoun has been piling up the international goals and has the potential to be the stand-out 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia player for an Iranian squad that has regularly outperformed expectations.
The 23-year-old striker has already racked up 23 goals for IR Iran since making his debut against Montenegro in May 2014.
That has put him in the top five of Team Melli's all-time goalscorers, helped by his great leaping ability and bursts of acceleration.
Born in the remote city of Gonbad-e Kavus in northeastern Iran, Azmoun was a volleyball star in his teenage years before landing a place at the Sepahan football academy in Isfahan.
He made a serious impact with IR Iran's youth teams between 2009 and 2013 and was snapped up by Russian club Rubin Kazan at the age of 17, becoming the first Iranian to play in the Russian Premier League.
Azmoun stayed with the team despite reported interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, among others. He left for Russia's Rostov in 2015 before returning to Rubin Kazan two years later.