Asian Highs at Qatar 2022

Tue, 20 Dec, 2022

Asian Highs at Qatar 2022

Doha: The dust is settling on an exceptional FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and Asia can look back at the tournament with much pride as teams from the continent produced some of the most stunning results in their history. 

Four years ago at Russia 2018, Asia recorded its highest points tally in a FIFA World Cup and that feat was topped in Qatar as, for the very first time, three teams representing the Asian Football Confederation made it to the knockout stages.
 
Australia, Japan and Korea Republic were the nations who scripted history with their Round of 16 appearances, but the Islamic Republic of Iran, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, who hosted a truly superb FIFA World Cup, all had tournaments which they can look back on with fond memories. 
 
With Argentina’s triumph over France in a thrilling finale at Lusail Stadium on Sunday bringing the curtain down on a competition that will live long in the memory, the-AFC.com looks back at some of Asia’s best moments from Qatar 2022 as the FIFA World Cup visited the continent for only the second time. 

Qatar 2022: Asia in Numbers

Wed, 21 Dec, 2022

Qatar 2022: Asia in Numbers

Doha: The 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup will be remembered as one of the finest as Qatar hosted a spectacular festival of football that produced classic matches, incredible upsets, late drama and, in the end, saw Lionel Messi finally get his hands on the prize he craved most.

For the Asian Football Confederation, meanwhile, it was collectively a best-ever campaign as the six sides from the continent posted some of the greatest results in their history as they broke new ground on the world stage. 

With the sun now set on Qatar 2022, the-AFC.com highlights some of the stats and facts that caught the eye with Asia’s six representatives.

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.

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.