Preview: Vietnam favourites but challengers lurk

Tue, 20 Dec, 2022

Preview: Vietnam favourites but challengers lurk

Kuala Lumpur: Vietnam are the overwhelming favourites to win the 2022 AFF Cup in what will be the final tournament for long-serving head coach Park Hang-seo.

The two-time winners will be desperate to send their Korean mentor off on a high by savouring regional honours once again following their previous triumphs in 2008 and 2018.

With 10 nations fighting to be crowned champions of the 2022 AFF Cup, the-AFC.com takes a look at the contenders ahead of the tournament kicking off on Tuesday.

Scaloni tells fans to enjoy amazing victory

Mon, 19 Dec, 2022

Scaloni tells fans to enjoy amazing victory

Lusail: Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni, who masterminded the South Americans' penalty shoot-out victory over France in Sunday's FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final, called on his compatriots to enjoy the glory.

"It hasn't yet sunk in but this is a moment to enjoy, especially the people," Scaloni told the official FIFA World Cup media channel in Doha.

"We who live by this have had ups and downs, we're used to these things happening to us, taking blows," he added after the remarkable topsy turvy final in the Lusail stadium.

Deschamps rues 'cruel' defeat

Mon, 19 Dec, 2022

Deschamps rues 'cruel' defeat

Lusail: France head coach Didier Deschamps said the way his team lost Sunday's FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final against Argentina was "cruel" after they came from behind twice over the course of the game only to succumb in a penalty shoot-out.

"We were not as good in the first 60 minutes against top-quality opponents who had a lot more energy, but we came back from nowhere and turned the game around from a very difficult situation. That leaves us with even more regrets," said Deschamps after France failed in their bid to become the first team in 60 years to retain the trophy.

'We're world champions' cries joyous Messi

Mon, 19 Dec, 2022

'We're world champions' cries joyous Messi

Lusail: Lionel Messi saluted the Argentina fans in Doha's Lusail Stadium on Sunday after helping inspire his country to their first FIFA World Cup victory in 36 years.

"We're champions of the world!" exclaimed Messi on the stadium microphone after his two goals and successful shootout spot-kick helped Argentina to the Qatar 2022 title.

'It's our destiny,' says goalkeeper Martinez

Mon, 19 Dec, 2022

'It's our destiny,' says goalkeeper Martinez

Lusail: Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said it was "destiny" to win the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 after starring in the nail-biting penalty shootout victory over France in Sunday's final.

Martinez, 30, saved from Kingsley Coman in the shootout to help Argentina to a 4-2 win after the thrilling final ended 3-3 in extra-time.

Heartbreak for Lloris after final 'boxing match'

Mon, 19 Dec, 2022

Heartbreak for Lloris after final 'boxing match'

Lusail: France captain Hugo Lloris admitted Sunday's FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final defeat to Lionel Messi's Argentina was "cruel" and likened the pulsating showpiece to a "boxing match".

Argentina triumphed 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the final ended 3-3 in extra time.

Hurst hails Mbappe on joining hat-trick club

Mon, 19 Dec, 2022

Hurst hails Mbappe on joining hat-trick club

London: Geoff Hurst said he had enjoyed a "good run" after France's Kylian Mbappe became just the second player after the England great to score a hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup final.

Hurst had stood alone for 56 years as the only player to score three goals in the showpiece match, with his treble central to England's 4-2 extra-time win over the then West Germany at Wembley in 1966.

But his feat was equalled on Sunday when Mbappe's treble helped France fight back from 2-0 down and then 3-2 behind at the Lusail Stadium as the final finished level at 3-3 after extra-time before Argentina prevailed in a penalty shoot-out that capped a dramatic match.

Messi wins Golden Ball

Mon, 19 Dec, 2022

Messi wins Golden Ball

Lusail: Lionel Messi on Sunday won the Golden Ball for the best player at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 after leading Argentina to victory in the final against France.

Messi scored twice in the final in Doha, taking his tally of goals at the tournament to seven, and also scored in the shoot-out as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties following a 3-3 draw after extra time.

Messi inspires Argentina past France for third title

Mon, 19 Dec, 2022

Messi inspires Argentina past France for third title

Lusail: Lionel Messi crowned his glittering career with victory in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Sunday as Argentina beat France on penalties in a final for the ages, triumphing 4-2 after Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick ensured the game ended level following extra time.

Gonzalo Montiel rolled in the deciding penalty to give Argentina their third FIFA World Cup and prevent France becoming the first team in 60 years to retain the trophy.

But a truly remarkable game saw Messi and Mbappe both live up to their billing, with Messi scoring twice and Mbappe becoming the first player since England's Geoff Hurst in 1966 to net a FIFA World Cup final hat-trick in a game that ended 3-3 after extra time.