Arnold: France were too good for Australia

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Arnold: France were too good for Australia

Al Wakrah: Graham Arnold conceded his Australia team could do little to match the quality of defending champions France as the Socceroos slipped to a 4-1 loss in their opening FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 clash on Tuesday.

The defeat equalled Australia’s worst-ever result at a FIFA World Cup – a 4-1 loss against Germany in South Africa in 2010 – as Olivier Giroud’s double and efforts from Adrien Rabiot and Kylian Mbappe earned France a comprehensive win after Craig Goodwin’s early opener.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2934125.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2934127.html

Kim Min-jae: Korea Republic's highly rated 'Monster' defender

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Kim Min-jae: Korea Republic's highly rated 'Monster' defender

Doha: Son Heung-min's facial injury has dominated Korea Republic's build-up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, but it's a "Monster" at the heart of their defence who could prove just as critical in Qatar.

Imposing central defender Kim Min-jae has earned rave reviews since moving from Fenerbahce in Turkey to Napoli in the summer for just over 18 million euros.

The 26-year-old has since played a crucial role in Napoli going unbeaten in Serie A and streaking away at the top before the league paused for the FIFA World Cup.

Loss a very heavy blow, says Messi

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Loss a very heavy blow, says Messi

Doha: Lionel Messi said Argentina's shock loss to Saudi Arabia was a "very heavy blow" but vowed the South American champions would bounce back from the defeat.

"It's a very heavy blow, a defeat that hurts, but we must continue to have confidence in ourselves," Messi said after Argentina crashed to a stunning 2-1 loss in Group C of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Tuesday.

"This group is not going to give up. We will try to beat Mexico," he added.

Australia undone by France flair

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Australia undone by France flair

Al Wakrah: Olivier Giroud scored twice to join Thierry Henry as France’s all-time leading scorer and steer France to a come-from-behind 4-1 win over Australia in the Socceroos’ Group D opener at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Al Janoub Stadium on Tuesday.

The AC Milan striker took his tally for France to 51 career goals after Adrien Rabiot had cancelled out Craig Goodwin’s opener for Australia while Kylian Mbappe was also on target for Didier Deschamps reigning champions.

Poland's Lewandowski misses penalty in Mexico stalemate

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Poland's Lewandowski misses penalty in Mexico stalemate

Doha: Robert Lewandowski suffered fresh FIFA World Cup misery as the Poland striker's penalty was saved by Guillermo Ochoa in a 0-0 draw against Mexico on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia's stunning 2-1 win over Argentina earlier in the day had blown open the race to progress to the last 16 from Group C of Qatar 2022.

But this was a frustrating draw for both teams, with Lewandowski wasting the best chance of a cagey game and Mexico ruing their failure to turn territorial dominance into goals.

Saudi star Al Dawsari writes name in lights

Tue, 22 Nov, 2022

Saudi star Al Dawsari writes name in lights

Doha: Saudi Arabia's Salem Al Dawsari grabbed the world's attention with his match-winning wonder strike against Argentina on Tuesday but the winger has been a star in Asia for years.

The 31-year-old helped the Saudis to a stunning 2-1 victory over the twice world champions in Group C of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, when he took out two defenders with a clever turn before rifling the ball into the net.

It was a typical piece of brilliance from a player who has long been known as one of Asia's best.

Feisty Tunisia hold Eriksen's Denmark

Tue, 22 Nov, 2022

Feisty Tunisia hold Eriksen's Denmark

Al Rayyan: Tunisia held Denmark to a goalless draw in their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 opener on Tuesday, kicking off their Group D campaign with a strong performance against one of the pre-tournament favourites.

Tunisia have never reached the FIFA World Cup knockouts in five previous attempts but Jalel Kadri's side will be encouraged both with a point at Education City Stadium and with how they performed against the fancied Danes.

Denmark had come into the match as favourites but Tunisia tore into their more illustrious opponents from kick-off, flying into tackles.