Carvajal: Spain must beat Japan for right knockout form

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Carvajal: Spain must beat Japan for right knockout form

Al Khor: Dani Carvajal said Spain must try and beat Japan in their final FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match, even though a point would clinch qualification for the last 16.

Luis Enrique's side conceded a late equaliser against Germany in a 1-1 draw on Sunday, meaning Spain are top on four points, above Costa Rica and Japan on three, and Germany on one.

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Yoshida rallies Japan after Costa Rica disappointment

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Yoshida rallies Japan after Costa Rica disappointment

Al Rayyan: Japan captain Maya Yoshida urged his team to stick together after their 1-0 loss to Costa Rica on Sunday and believes a place in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 knockout round is still within their reach.

Yoshida said the Blue Samurai struggled to come down from the high of beating Germany in their opening Group E game and found it "difficult" to prepare for Costa Rica, who were coming off a 7-0 thrashing by Spain.

Japan will likely now need at least a point in their final group game against Spain to progress and Yoshida urged his teammates to pull off another famous win.

Duke, journeyman goal hero spearheading Australia

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Duke, journeyman goal hero spearheading Australia

Doha: Mitchell Duke wouldn't be high on anyone's list of FIFA World Cup stars but the journeyman forward is pivotal to Australia's hopes of reaching the last 16 for only the second time.

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Robert Lewandowski all scored crucial goals in Qatar on Saturday - and so did Duke, who plays in Japan's second tier and turns 32 in January.

Duke gave Tunisia's defence a torrid time with his physicality but his 23rd-minute header for what turned out to be the winner was a thing of beauty as he deftly glanced the ball over his shoulder and into the net.

Japan dealt a blow by Costa Rica

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Japan dealt a blow by Costa Rica

Al Rayyan: Japan dominated from start to finish but were unable to take their chances against Costa Rica at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, succumbing to a 1-0 loss in Group E of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Sunday.

Japan face Spain on Thursday at the Khalifa International Stadium with their chances of qualification to the knockout stage for the second time running depending on the outcome of that clash against the 2010 world champions.

Spain drew 1-1 with Germany later on Sunday to lead the standings with four points, having defeated Costa Rica 7-0 in their opener. 

Germany snatch draw with Spain

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Germany snatch draw with Spain

Al Khor: Niclas Fuellkrug's late equaliser snatched Germany a morale-boosting 1-1 draw with Spain in a heavyweight FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 clash on Sunday, leaving both sides' hopes of qualifying for the last 16 still in the balance.

Alvaro Morata's flicked finish had Spain on course to secure qualification from Group E, but the electric Jamal Musiala and Fuellkrug combined to foil La Roja and restore some German pride.