Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The five Asian teams concluded their participation at the 2018 FIFA World Cup with the highest points tally in the continent's history, and there were some memorable moments along the way.
Heroic individual and team performances, famous victories and record breaking moments. It was all present in Russia 2018 as Japan, Korea Republic, Australia, Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia represented Asia on the world stage. We relive some of the best moments from the tournament after the Samurai Blue were the last Asian side to depart the World Cup, ending their participation at the round of 16.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Japan’s last-gasp elimination to Belgium in the Round of 16 ended Asia’s hopes at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, but the Continent’s five sides produced some excellent performances on the global stage.
As the competition now enters the latter stages, the-AFC.com looks back to highlight that stats and facts that stood out from our teams' thrilling contribution to football’s biggest showpiece.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tokyo: Japan captain Makoto Hasebe has announced his retirement from the national team, on the heels of the squad's heartbreaking ejection from the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match against Belgium.
"I have decided to end the chapter of my career with the national team with this tournament," Hasebe wrote on his Instagram account.
The 34-year-old defensive midfielder's departure from the Blue Samurai could mean a changing of the guard for the team, with former AC Milan striker Keisuke Honda, 32, also saying he plans to retire from the national squad.
Hasebe, who won the German Cup with Eintracht Frankfurt last season, has been on the national team for more than 12 years under five coaches.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Rostov-On-Don: Japan Football Association President Kohzo Tashima hailed the Samurai Blue spirit despite a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Monday.
Goals from Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui handed Japan a 2-0 lead in the second half at Rostov Arena but Belgium hit back with three goals, including a 94th-minute winner that knocked out the last Asian side remaining at this FIFA World Cup.
Although Japan failed to get past the last 16 once again – they also came up short in 2002 and 2010 – Tashima gushed with praise for Akira Nishino’s men, who had the Belgians sweating and were on the cusp of reaching their nation’s first-ever FIFA World Cup quarter-final.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: After two weeks of scintillating action, the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup ended on Thursday with Japan progressing to a last 16 clash against Belgium on Monday.
Many of the Samurai Blue shone in the first round while, although departed, a number of players from Asia’s four other representatives grabbed the world’s attention. The-AFC.com has chosen five for you to vote for your standout performer.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sochi: The FIFA World Cup dream is over for Australia after Bert van Marwijk’s side were defeated 2-0 by Peru in Sochi on Tuesday but the Socceroos final stand at the Fisht Stadium did provide fans an unforgettable moment thanks to Tim Cahill.
When Cahill arrived into the fray for Tomi Juric in the 53rd minute, he became the first Socceroos player in history to play in four FIFA World Cups.
And although the 38-year-old was unable to provide Australia with another heroic FIFA World Cup moment on this occasion, Cahill’s unparalleled aerial ability was once again on display for the world to see.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Juan Antonio Pizzi will chart Saudi Arabia's AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 campaign after his contract was extended on Tuesday.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation announced the extension, which will see Pizzi in charge till the end of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia snatched a late 2-1 victory over Egypt in their final 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group A match on Monday.