Croatia's Dalic says Brazil squad 'scary'

Wed, 07 Dec, 2022

Croatia's Dalic says Brazil squad 'scary'

Doha: Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic called Brazil's squad "scary" but says his team are not big underdogs in Friday's quarter-final against the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 favourites.

Dalic's side, runners-up four years ago, beat Japan on penalties on Monday to guarantee at least their third best finish at the tournament.

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Captain Son apologises after Taeguk Warriors' bid ends

Wed, 07 Dec, 2022

Captain Son apologises after Taeguk Warriors' bid ends

Doha: Son Heung-min apologised after Korea Republic exited the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 following a sobering 4-1 defeat to favourites Brazil in the last 16.

The captain and talisman was powerless as Brazil scored four times in the first half on Monday, before Paik Seung-ho netted a 76th-minute consolation for the Taeguk Warriors.

Triumphs count for nothing after exit - Doan

Tue, 06 Dec, 2022

Triumphs count for nothing after exit - Doan

Al Wakrah: Forward Ritsu Doan said Japan's historic FIFA World Cup wins over Germany and Spain counted for nothing after the Blue Samurai were eliminated by Croatia in the last 16 on Monday.

Japan missed out on a first-ever place in the quarter-finals after a 3-1 penalty shootout defeat to the Croatians, following a gruelling encounter that finished 1-1 after extra-time.

Japan beat both Germany and Spain in the goup stage in Qatar but Doan took no consolation from his team's achievements.

Brazil dedicate victory to ailing Pele

Tue, 06 Dec, 2022

Brazil dedicate victory to ailing Pele

Doha: Brazil's players paid tribute to legend Pele, who is receiving hospital treatment in Sao Paulo due to his ailing health, after sauntering to a 4-1 FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 victory over Korea Republic.

Following Monday's last-16 match at Stadium 974 in Doha, the players unfurled a huge banner to the 82-year-old, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.

First-half goals from Vinicius Junior, Neymar, Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta saw Brazil put the game to bed long before Paik Seung-ho's stunning consolation in the second period.

Croatia can't win 'without drama', says Modric

Tue, 06 Dec, 2022

Croatia can't win 'without drama', says Modric

Al Wakrah: Croatia captain Luka Modric said his team "can't do it without a drama" after they reached the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter-finals following a penalty shootout win against Japan on Monday.

Mario Pasalic struck the winning spot-kick after Dominik Livakovic saved three penalties.

Earlier, Ivan Perisic had pulled Croatia level in the 55th minute of normal time following Daizen Maeda's opener for Japan just before the break.

But no side could find a winner either in 90 minutes or in extra-time as it finished 1-1.

Bento steps down as Korea Republic head coach

Tue, 06 Dec, 2022

Bento steps down as Korea Republic head coach

Doha: Paulo Bento announced he would not be staying on as head coach of Korea Republic after they were eliminated from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Brazil on Monday.

"Now I need to think about the future, but I will not be with the Korea team. I am going to rest and then see," the 53-year-old former Portugal coach said after the loss in the last 16.

Moriyasu urges Japan players to rise from disappointment

Tue, 06 Dec, 2022

Moriyasu urges Japan players to rise from disappointment

Al Wakrah: Hajime Moriyasu called on Japan’s players to use their disappointment at exiting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in a penalty shootout against Croatia on Monday to fuel their future improvement as the Samurai Blue once again missed out on the quarter-finals.

Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved spot-kicks from Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida to ensure Zlatko Dalic’s side notched up a 3-1 shootout win after the teams had endured 120 minutes at Al Janoub Stadium and were locked in a 1-1 draw.
 
Japan’s exit is the fourth time the nation has missed out on a place in the last eight after losing to Turkey in 2002, Paraguay in 2010 and Belgium in Russia four years ago, when they lost out to the Europeans deep into injury time.