Flashback: Saudi Arabia's Al Owairan recalls taking on the world in 1994

Fri, 28 Oct, 2022

Flashback: Saudi Arabia's Al Owairan recalls taking on the world in 1994

Kuala Lumpur: Saudi Arabia were not expected to make an impact when they made their FIFA World Cup Finals debut in USA '94.

While the West Asian nation had already made a name for themselves at the continental level, with two AFC Asian Cup titles in 1984 and 1988, a tough group meant expectations were low going into the global showpiece.

The tournament, however, did not go according to the script as forward Saeed Al Owairan fondly recalls in this 30 June 2020 interview with the-AFC.com. 

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Asian Moments at the FIFA World Cup: 1998

Tue, 01 Nov, 2022

Asian Moments at the FIFA World Cup: 1998

Kuala Lumpur: With the FIFA World Cup™ Qatar 2022 drawing ever closer, the-AFC.com continues its series of looking back at how the Asian teams have performed at the global showpiece over the years.

With the World Cup expanding into 32 teams for the first time, Asia benefited from 3.5 seats at France 1998. Just as they did in the previous edition, Saudi Arabia and Korea Republic were present, while Japan took the third spot and Islamic Republic of Iran ensured the AFC had a four-team contingent for the first-time ever, snatching the qualification ticket in the Intercontinental Playoff from Australia, then representing the OFC.

Asian Moments at the FIFA World Cup: 1994

Sun, 30 Oct, 2022

Asian Moments at the FIFA World Cup: 1994

Kuala Lumpur: As we move ever closer towards the FIFA World Cup™ Qatar 2022 and the football world converging on Asia for the global showpiece, the-AFC.com continues its series where we look back at the displays of Asian teams in the tournament over the years.

Having reviewed the 1990 competition last time round, we turn our focus to the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States which was the last one with just two representatives from Asia and where the displays by both Saudi Arabia and Korea Republic only justified the inclusion of more Asian nations in the later editions.

Asian Moments at the FIFA World Cup: 1990

Fri, 28 Oct, 2022

Asian Moments at the FIFA World Cup: 1990

Kuala Lumpur: The FIFA World Cup returns to Asia for the second time as Qatar welcomes the world in the exceptional November-December edition in which they are set to become the 13th different team to represent the continent in the global football showpiece.

As we count down towards the opening game between Qatar and Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium, the-AFC.com goes on a journey down memory lane to remember some of the most memorable moments for Asian football at the FIFA World Cup.

The 1990 FIFA World Cup saw Korea Republic and the United Arab Emirates make strides forward in their footballing histories.

Despite not winning a single game, Korea Republic ended up unearthing two players who would forever become icons of Korean football, while the UAE’s rise to prominence in Asian football was marked with a debut FIFA World Cup appearance six years before they reached the AFC Asian Cup final.

Asian Moments at the FIFA World Cup: 1986

Fri, 28 Oct, 2022

Asian Moments at the FIFA World Cup: 1986

Kuala Lumpur: With the FIFA World Cup™ Qatar 2022 drawing ever closer, the-AFC.com continues its series of looking back at how the Asian teams have performed at the global showpiece over the years.

Having looked at the early editions last time out, we turn our focus to the 1986 tournament in Mexico when Iraq made their first and, to date, only appearance at the FIFA World Cup and Korea Republic returned 32 years after making their debut in 1954.

Asian Moments at FIFA World Cup: The Early Years

Sat, 22 Oct, 2022

Asian Moments at FIFA World Cup: The Early Years

Kuala Lumpur: The FIFA World Cup returns to Asia for the second time in a month's time as Qatar welcomes the world in the exceptional November-December edition in which they are set to become the 13th different team to represent the continent in the global football showpiece.

With just under 30 days to go to the hotly-anticipated opening game between Qatar and Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium, the-AFC.com goes on a journey down memory lane to remember some of the most memorable moments for Asian football at the FIFA World Cup.

Flashback: Troussier relives Japan's amazing 2002 campaign

Mon, 31 Oct, 2022

Flashback: Troussier relives Japan's amazing 2002 campaign

Kuala Lumpur: With the countdown for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 gaining pace, the-AFC.com has dug into its archives in search of classic matches and momentous occasions involving Asian teams.

We kick-off the series with a look back at 2002 when the FIFA World Cup was first held in Asia. 

Co-hosting the global showpiece with Korea Republic, Japan were aiming to make heads turn on and off the pitch in. Philippe Troussier was the man in charge as head coach and we reproduce an interview with the Frenchman which was published on 14 June, 2020 to get a grip on how Japan's historical campaign unfolded.