Qatar 2022: So near yet so far for Japan

Sat, 24 Dec, 2022

Qatar 2022: So near yet so far for Japan

Kuala Lumpur: Japan came within a penalty shoot-out of reaching the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals for the first time at Qatar 2022.

Head coach Hajime Moriyasu had unhesitatingly stated that the last eight stage was his target, with Japan having fallen in the Round of 16 on three previous occasions.
 
The-AFC.com takes a look at how Japan just missed out on reaching their target.

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Qatar 2022: Heartbreak but IR Iran show quality

Fri, 23 Dec, 2022

Qatar 2022: Heartbreak but IR Iran show quality

Kuala Lumpur: A spot in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time may have eluded Islamic Republic of Iran but it was not for the lack of trying.

Iran gave Qatar 2022 their all and despite suffering disappointment, Carlos Queiroz's side won many hearts with their resilience and determination.
 
The-AFC.com revisits Iran's FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 campaign.

Qatar 2022: Australia scale new peak

Thu, 22 Dec, 2022

Qatar 2022: Australia scale new peak

Kuala Lumpur: The curtains came down on the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Sunday with Argentina lifting the trophy for a third time after a thrilling win over France at the Lusail Stadium.

In masterminding Argentina's triumph, Lionel Messi ensured his trophy cabinet now has the one title that he really craved.

While Messi and Argentina bask in glory, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 also saw Asia's cast making their impact felt in the global showpiece. The-AFC.com revisits the Asian performance, starting with Australia.

Qatar 2022: Asia in Numbers

Wed, 21 Dec, 2022

Qatar 2022: Asia in Numbers

Doha: The 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup will be remembered as one of the finest as Qatar hosted a spectacular festival of football that produced classic matches, incredible upsets, late drama and, in the end, saw Lionel Messi finally get his hands on the prize he craved most.

For the Asian Football Confederation, meanwhile, it was collectively a best-ever campaign as the six sides from the continent posted some of the greatest results in their history as they broke new ground on the world stage. 

With the sun now set on Qatar 2022, the-AFC.com highlights some of the stats and facts that caught the eye with Asia’s six representatives.

Asian Highs at Qatar 2022

Tue, 20 Dec, 2022

Asian Highs at Qatar 2022

Doha: The dust is settling on an exceptional FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and Asia can look back at the tournament with much pride as teams from the continent produced some of the most stunning results in their history. 

Four years ago at Russia 2018, Asia recorded its highest points tally in a FIFA World Cup and that feat was topped in Qatar as, for the very first time, three teams representing the Asian Football Confederation made it to the knockout stages.
 
Australia, Japan and Korea Republic were the nations who scripted history with their Round of 16 appearances, but the Islamic Republic of Iran, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, who hosted a truly superb FIFA World Cup, all had tournaments which they can look back on with fond memories. 
 
With Argentina’s triumph over France in a thrilling finale at Lusail Stadium on Sunday bringing the curtain down on a competition that will live long in the memory, the-AFC.com looks back at some of Asia’s best moments from Qatar 2022 as the FIFA World Cup visited the continent for only the second time.