Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Moscow: Boosted by a turnout of fans at their open training session in Moscow, Islamic Republic of Iran are raring to get their 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia campaign started.
Having been the first team to arrive for Russia 2018, IR Iran underwent a one-hour open session at the Strogino Stadium on Saturday and the presence of the fans has motivated Carlos Queiroz's squad even more as they await their first Group B match against Morocco on June 15.
"I am glad to see the supporters around. It really gives us energy. I am sure our fans' support will be an advantage for us in the World Cup," said midfielder Vahid Amiri.
Team Melli draw strength from their phenomenal fan base with matches in Tehran always drawing capacity crowds.
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/iran-wcup2018-qualify_2.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The Samurai Blue will make their sixth appearance at the FIFA World Cup at Russia 2018. Despite recent change at the helm, our Japanese journalist is cautiously optimistic of their chances.
A squad filled with big-name veterans and a vastly experienced coach in Akira Nishino at the helm, Japan will hope to channel the spirit of 2002 and 2010 when they reached the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup.
Our Japan expert is Etsuko Motokawa, a Japanese football journalist and author. Motokawa has covered football for over 24 years, attending her first FIFA World Cup in 1994, and she currently writes on Japanese football for several newspapers and websites.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Budapest: Australia boss Bert van Marwijk took encouragement from his side's reaction to an honest half-time assessment that ultimately led to a second successive victory.
Daniel Arzani netted his maiden international goal before Tamas Kalas put through his own net in stoppage time to give Australia a 2-1 friendly win over Hungary in Budapest on Saturday.
The second-half strikes came either side of an unfortunate Trent Sainsbury own goal and ensured van Marwijk's men head to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia with two wins in as many warm-up outings, having dispatched the Czech Republic 4-0 last week.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Just under 52 years ago, DPR Korea made World Cup history by becoming the first Asian nation to reach the quarter-finals. the-AFC.com rewinds to that historic achievement.
Eleven years after the foundation of AFC, DPR Korea were pitted against Australia, South Africa and Korea Republic in the first round of qualifying for the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England. South Africa was then banned by FIFA due to apartheid, and Korea Republic withdrew, leaving DPR Korea and Australia to compete for the World Cup ticket.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Moscow: Islamic Republic of Iran may be in one of the toughest groups in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia but that isn't going to stop Carlos Queiroz and his players from changing their goals.
Iran, who will be appearing in the FIFA World Cup Finals for the fifth time, did not advance past the group stage in their previous appearances and that is what they are looking to better in Russia 2018.
Iran lost their position as the top ranked Asian team on Thursday but it is a position they can reclaim by performing well in the FIFA World Cup.
"This is the reality that Group B is the hardest group in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. However, we cannot change our goals or let our supporters down," said Queiroz, who will be leading Iran to their second successive FIFA World Cup.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Asian nations and players have produced some of the biggest World Cup moments throughout the years, but some of the Continent's finest talents were unfortunate not to participate in the tournament. Here are six of the best, choose your favourite in the poll.
Hong Myung-bo, Sami Al Jaber, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Tim Cahill. Just some of the names of Asia's footballing elite to have left their mark on the global stage. But how about those stars of the Continental game who have not been so fortunate, for one reason or another, to represent their nation at the FIFA World Cup?
We review and recognise six of those players from Kirkuk in Iraq to Sydney, Australia and invite you to pick your favourite in the voting poll at the end of the article.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Australia climbed up four spots to 36th place to overtake Islamic Republic of Iran to be Asia’s top ranked team, in the FIFA World Ranking released on Thursday.
The remarkable achievement came at perfect timing for the Socceroos and will serve as a boost ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
Iran dropped one rung to 37th, followed by Korea Republic who moved four rungs up to 57th after their impressive 2-0 win over Honduras last month.
Japan fell one spot to 61, while Saudi Arabia’s ranking remain unchanged at 67th to complete Asia’s top five teams, who will begin their Russia 2018 campaigns next week.
Meanwhile, Jordan also made great strides to become Asia’s biggest mover, climbing eight spots to 110th
The next FIFA World Rankings are to be released on July 19.