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.

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Arnold hails 'old Aussie way' after crucial victory

Sun, 27 Nov, 2022

Arnold hails 'old Aussie way' after crucial victory

Al Wakrah: Head coach Graham Arnold said "the old Aussie way" helped his side beat Tunisia 1-0 on Saturday to keep their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 alive but warned his players they had achieved nothing yet.

A Mitchell Duke header in the first half combined with some determined defending in the second revived the Socceroos' hopes of reaching the last 16 for only a second time.

They face Denmark - who were beaten 2-1 by reigning champions France on Saturday - in their last Group D game in Qatar with their fate in their own hands.

Missed penalty changed game, says Saudi Arabia's Renard

Sun, 27 Nov, 2022

Missed penalty changed game, says Saudi Arabia's Renard

Al Rayyan: Herve Renard called Salem Al Dawsari’s penalty miss a “game changer” as Saudi Arabia slumped to a 2-0 loss against Poland in Group C of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Saturday, but vowed his side would fight to achieve their dream of a place in the knockout rounds.

Poland scored through Piotr Zielinski and Robert Lewandowski while Al Dawsari saw his penalty saved by Wojciech Szczesny late in the first half as the Saudis slipped to a defeat after opening the competition with a 2-1 victory over two-time champions Argentina.
 
However, victory over Mexico - beaten 2-0 by Argentina on Saturday - in their final game on Wednesday would still take Saudi Arabia into the Round of 16 for the first time since 1994 and Renard remains bullish about his team’s prospects.

Mexico coach Martino braced for titanic clash with Saudi Arabia

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Mexico coach Martino braced for titanic clash with Saudi Arabia

Doha: Mexico coach Tata Martino said he was expecting a no-holds-barred clash with Saudi Arabia in their final FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C clash after defeat by Argentina on Saturday.

Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez's strikes helped the Albiceleste win 2-0 at the Lusail Stadium, leaving the Mexicans bottom of the group and desperate for a big win over Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

Mexico will likely need to win by at least three goals against Saudi Arabia to qualify, unless Poland beat Argentina, in which case any victory would suffice.

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. 

Preview - Group H: Korea Republic v Ghana

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Preview - Group H: Korea Republic v Ghana

Al Rayyan: Korea Republic head coach Paulo Bento said the team would see a "different" Son Heung-min against Ghana on Monday after the forward got used to his face mask during their opening FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 match.

Son wore the mask during his side's 0-0 draw against Uruguay in Group H following surgery to repair a fracture around his left eye he suffered earlier this month while playing for Tottenham.

Morocco upset Belgium to throw Group F wide open

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Morocco upset Belgium to throw Group F wide open

Doha: Morocco pulled off a surprise 2-0 win over Belgium at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Sunday to edge closer to a place in the last 16.

Second-half goals from Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukhlal sent Morocco to four points, level with Croatia who lead on goal difference and one ahead of Belgium. 

Croatia, the 2018 runners-up, defeated Canada 4-1 in Sunday's later game.  

Kramaric double fires Croatia as Canada crash out

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Kramaric double fires Croatia as Canada crash out

Doha: Croatia got their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 campaign back on track as Andrej Kramaric's double inspired a 4-1 win that eliminated Canada in Sunday's Group F match in Doha.

Zlatko Dalic's side were stunned by Alphonso Davies's second-minute opener at the Khalifa International Stadium but Hoffenheim forward Kramaric equalised and Marko Livaja put the 2018 World Cup runners-up ahead just before half-time.

Second-half goals from Kramaric and Lovro Majer ensured Croatia could celebrate their first win of the tournament after a goalless draw with Morocco in their first match.