Bento bids emotional farewell to Korea Republic

Wed, 14 Dec, 2022

Bento bids emotional farewell to Korea Republic

Seoul: Paulo Bento has bid an emotional farewell to Korea Republic, calling his four years as head coach of the national football team a "beautiful experience which I will never forget".

The Portuguese former international midfielder took the Koreans to the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, where they were beaten 4-1 by Brazil last week.

The 53-year-old said in the immediate aftermath that he would not be staying on as coach.

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Messi hails Argentina character

Wed, 14 Dec, 2022

Messi hails Argentina character

Lusail: A delighted Lionel Messi hailed his side's strength of character after he starred in Tuesday's 3-0 FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi-final win over Croatia.

Messi scored the opener from the penalty spot and then had a hand in two goals scored by Julian Alvarez at Lusail Stadium as Argentina eased through to Sunday's final where they will face either France or Morocco.

The victory continued a remarkable turnaround from Lionel Scaloni's team after they started their campaign in Qatar with a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of Saudi Arabia.

Modric's dream over

Wed, 14 Dec, 2022

Modric's dream over

Doha: Luka Modric is Croatia's greatest-ever player, but he was upstaged by arguably the best of all time, Lionel Messi, as Argentina crushed his FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 dreams on Tuesday.

After orchestrating his country's run to a second straight FIFA World Cup semi-final, 37-year-old Modric's team were swept aside 3-0 by the South American side.

Preview - Semi-final: France v Morocco

Thu, 15 Dec, 2022

Preview - Semi-final: France v Morocco

Al Khor: Defending world champions and title favourites France face African history-makers Morocco on Wednesday in what is sure to be a high-octane FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi-final at the Al Bayt stadium.

France, who defeated England on Saturday, are looking to become the first team in 60 years to retain the trophy but they can expect fierce resistance from the surprise package of the tournament.

Morocco's giant-killing run to the last four, the first time an African nation has made it this far, has electrified fans at home and delighted the Moroccan diaspora in Europe and beyond.

Tchouameni emerges as new leader of France midfield

Tue, 13 Dec, 2022

Tchouameni emerges as new leader of France midfield

Al Khor: Aurelien Tchouameni might do most of his work in the shadows, but the France midfielder lit up the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with his brilliant opening goal in Saturday's quarter-final win over England.

The 22-year-old later gave away the first penalty of the game at Al Bayt Stadium which Harry Kane scored to equalise for England, yet France eventually ran out 2-1 winners and Tchouameni's role for the holders has been vital given the problems they faced coming into the tournament.

The outlook for head coach Didier Deschamps and his side appeared grim when they were struck by an avalanche of injuries, not least with their starting midfield duo of Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante both being ruled out.

Ounahi poised for bigger things after Qatar 2022 breakout

Tue, 13 Dec, 2022

Ounahi poised for bigger things after Qatar 2022 breakout

Al Khor: Azzedine Ounahi has been at the heart of Morocco's run to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi-finals, tirelessly stamping his authority on the midfield and emerging as one of the revelations of the tournament.

Yassine Bounou's penalty-saving heroics stole the headlines in the last 16, but it was Ounahi who caught the eye of Spain head coach Luis Enrique following his side's shootout loss to Morocco.

Varane: Les Bleus will not be complacent

Tue, 13 Dec, 2022

Varane: Les Bleus will not be complacent

Al Khor: France defender Raphael Varane has insisted that there will be no complacency from the FIFA World Cup holders when they take on surprise package Morocco in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

Having edged out England in the last eight, Les Bleus are strong favourites to return to the final even though Morocco have already eliminated Spain and Portugal in the knockout phase in Qatar.

Bounou takes long and winding road to Morocco stardom

Tue, 13 Dec, 2022

Bounou takes long and winding road to Morocco stardom

Doha: Yassine Bounou has learned to be patient in his career, but the Morocco goalkeeper with a show-stopping nickname is proving he more than belongs on the big stage at this FIFA World Cup.

An unused squad member at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Bounou - or "Bono" as the name on his shirt reads - has played a fundamental part in helping Morocco set a new benchmark for African football in Qatar 2022.

With 14 foreign-born players in the squad, it has been a case of unity in diversity for Morocco - there is no better example of that solidarity than a defence which has conceded just once in five matches here.