Torabi on target for Team Melli; Saudi Arabia share spoils with Panama

Fri, 11 Nov, 2022

Torabi on target for Team Melli; Saudi Arabia share spoils with Panama

Tehran: An early strike by Mehdi Torabi steered Islamic Republic of Iran to a 1-0 win over Nicaragua in an international friendly at the Azadi Stadium on Thursday.

The win was Iran’s second victory in as many matches with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022-bound Team Melli to play their final friendly against Tunisia next Wednesday.

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Queiroz primed to guide IR Iran into untravelled territory

Fri, 11 Nov, 2022

Queiroz primed to guide IR Iran into untravelled territory

Kuala Lumpur: Carlos Queiroz’s return to the helm of the Islamic Republic of Iran may have come late in the day, but the former Real Madrid head coach’s influence has already been felt within a team that has become synonymous with the Portuguese tactician.

Team Melli and Queiroz have become entwined with one another over the last decade, the 69-year-old leading the Iranians to the FIFA World Cup Finals in both 2014 and 2018 as he forged a unique bond with one of Asia’s leading footballing nations.

Korea Republic's Bento raring to face unique challenge

Thu, 10 Nov, 2022

Korea Republic's Bento raring to face unique challenge

Kuala Lumpur: Paulo Bento will take Korea Republic to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 looking to overcome his own disappointing memories of a previous tournament while taking on his homeland in the group phase in a highly personal clash.

Capped 35 times as a player for Portugal, the former midfielder experienced reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2000 with his nation while claiming the Portuguese league title with Sporting before taking over as an academy coach at the Lisbon-based club in 2004.

Japan's Moriyasu gets his date with destiny

Tue, 08 Nov, 2022

Japan's Moriyasu gets his date with destiny

Kuala Lumpur: Hajime Moriyasu overcame doubts about his tenure midway through the qualifiers to steer Japan to Qatar 2022 and maintain his nation’s record of qualifying for the Finals every time since the Samurai Blue made their FIFA World Cup debut in France in 1998.

The 54-year-old’s time in charge looked destined to end when, after losses against Oman and Saudi Arabia in their first three games of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™, the calls for a new head coach were growing louder by the day.

Arnold's opportunity to chart new course for Australia

Wed, 09 Nov, 2022

Arnold's opportunity to chart new course for Australia

Sydney: Graham Arnold will not be appearing at his first FIFA World Cup when he leads Australia out for their opening game in Qatar 2022 against defending champions France on November 22, but the former striker will finally be the man calling the shots for the Socceroos.

The 59-year-old has been present at the tournament in the past, working as an assistant alongside Guus Hiddink in 2006 when the Australians reached the knockout stage before also serving as deputy to Pim Verbeek in South Africa four years later.
 
But this time will be different for the former Sydney FC and Vegalta Sendai coach as he makes the decisions that will determine Australia’s fate at the game’s greatest event.

Qatar 2022 - Know Your Group A Teams

Tue, 08 Nov, 2022

Qatar 2022 - Know Your Group A Teams

Doha: The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 kicks off in less than two weeks with the squads either finalising their preparations or getting set to assemble ahead of the global showpiece.

Qatar 2022 promises to be a fiesta of football so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the 32 teams, kicking off the series with Group A.

Qatar 2022 - Know Your Group B Teams

Wed, 09 Nov, 2022

Qatar 2022 - Know Your Group B Teams

Doha: Group B of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 promises thrilling action with Islamic Republic of Iran looking to advance into the knockout stage for the first time. 

Team Melli will have to be at their best with England, the United States of America and Wales also looking to advance. 

Qatar 2022 - Know Your Group C Teams

Thu, 10 Nov, 2022

Qatar 2022 - Know Your Group C Teams

Doha: Group C of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is set to be a blockbuster with Saudi Arabia in the fray. 

With two-time champions Argentina, Mexico and Poland to contend with, Herve Renard's side know they will have to hit the ground running in their bid to advance to the knockout stage.

Asian Moments at the FIFA World Cup: 2018

Mon, 07 Nov, 2022

Asian Moments at the FIFA World Cup: 2018

Kuala Lumpur: With less than two weeks to go until the kick-off of the FIFA World Cup™ Qatar 2022, the-AFC.com continues its look back at how the Asian teams have performed at the global showpiece over the years. 

Four years ago, Russia 2018 marked the first time the Asian Football Confederation had five representatives as Australia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia all advanced to the 2018 edition. 

And it was to be a campaign that produced a number of memorable moments, from Son Heung-min eliminating Germany to Alireza Beiranvand denying Cristiano Ronaldo and much more.