'Home ground' experience took Australia through, says Arnold

Thu, 01 Dec, 2022

'Home ground' experience took Australia through, says Arnold

Doha: Graham Arnold credited Australia’s extensive experience of the Qatari conditions for his side’s 1-0 victory over Denmark on Wednesday that moved the Socceroos into the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Mathew Leckie’s solo effort with an hour on the clock was the difference between the teams and the win sealed the runners-up berth in Group D for the Australians, taking the team through to the next phase for the first time since 2006 with two-time champions Argentina awaiting.
 
The win was Australia’s latest in Qatar after playing in the country during the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ before securing their place at the Finals in a pair of playoffs against the United Arab Emirates and Peru that were hosted in Doha in June.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2935934.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2935938.html

Leckie strike sends Australia into knockout stage

Thu, 01 Dec, 2022

Leckie strike sends Australia into knockout stage

Al Wakrah: Mathew Leckie’s sensational 60th minute strike took Australia into the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2006 as Graham Arnold’s Socceroos claimed second place in Group D at Qatar 2022 with a 1-0 win over Denmark at Al Janoub Stadium on Wednesday 

Leckie slotted past Kasper Schmeichel on the hour mark after Riley McGree’s incisive pass to give Arnold’s side the win they needed to advance as runners-up behind defending champions France and set up an enticing Round of 16 meeting with Group C winners Argentina.
 
This is the first time the Australians have won two games at a single FIFA World Cup, surpassing the achievements of 2006 and 2010, when the country won once. 
 
The win means Australia finished Group D with six points, level with the French and two ahead of Tunisia with Denmark bottom and they are first team from the Asian Football Confederation to confirm their place in the Round of 16 at Qatar 2022.

Mexico end Saudi Arabia's campaign

Thu, 01 Dec, 2022

Mexico end Saudi Arabia's campaign

Lusail: Saudi Arabia’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 campaign was brought to an end at the Lusail Stadium after a 2-1 defeat to  Mexico in their final Group C match on Wednesday.

With both teams needing a win to guarantee they remained in the mix for progression to the round of 16, a depleted and injury-stricken Saudi Arabia lost footing under constant attacks from Mexico which eventually were converted into goals. 

There was, however, heartbreak for Mexico as they missed out on a place in the knockout stage with Poland - despite suffering a 2-0 defeat to Argentina - finished second on goal difference to advance. 

Argentina turn on the power in the second half to advance

Thu, 01 Dec, 2022

Argentina turn on the power in the second half to advance

Doha: Lionel Messi had a penalty saved but Argentina still advanced to the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as Group C winners after a 2-0 victory over Poland on Wednesday.

Poland also went through as runners-up although a 2-1 win for Mexico over Saudi Arabia in the group's other game meant Czeslaw Michniewicz's side advanced only on goal difference.

Alexis Mac Allister's 46th-minute goal settled Argentina's nerves after a tense first half, before Julian Alvarez doubled their lead just over 20 minutes later.

Tunisia stun France to finish on a high

Thu, 01 Dec, 2022

Tunisia stun France to finish on a high

Al Rayyan: French-born Wahbi Khazri scored the only goal of the game as Tunisia claimed a famous 1-0 win over FIFA World Cup defending champions France on Wednesday.

However, they needed Australia to drop points in the day's other Group D game to stand a chance of reaching the last 16 for the first time, but the Socceroos' 1-0 win over Denmark means it is they who go through with France.

The world champions and Australia finished level on six points, but France top the section on goal difference and meet Group C runners-up Poland in the last-16 on Sunday.

Preview - Group E: Japan v Spain

Fri, 02 Dec, 2022

Preview - Group E: Japan v Spain

Doha: Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda will be looking to push aside the disappointment of the Samurai Blue’s surprise loss against Costa Rica to secure a place in the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with victory over Spain when the nations meet on Thursday.

The Japanese have three points from their opening two games after claiming an impressive 2-1 win over Germany only to slip to the 1-0 loss against Costa Rica when victory would have sealed them a spot in the Round of 16.
 
Defeat against the Costa Ricans was greeted with despair among Japanese fans and the fate of Hajime Moriyasu’s team now hangs in the balance going into the game at Khalifa International Stadium.

Spain won't count chickens, must beat Japan: Luis Enrique

Wed, 30 Nov, 2022

Spain won't count chickens, must beat Japan: Luis Enrique

Doha: Luis Enrique said Spain will not count their chickens before they are hatched when they face Japan on Thursday, aiming to win and qualify for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 knockout phase.

La Roja are top of Group E on four points and are guaranteed to progress with a draw, but are aiming for all three points at the Khalifa International Stadium.

Japan dangerman Kamada struggling to find form

Wed, 30 Nov, 2022

Japan dangerman Kamada struggling to find form

Doha: Daichi Kamada was expected to be Japan's star man at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 but the forward has flopped so far and he faces a huge test against Spain on Thursday.

Kamada has made a big impact since joining German side Eintracht Frankfurt, winning the Europa League last season and scoring 12 goals in all competitions so far this term.

The 26-year-old has found success at his first FIFA World Cup harder to come by, despite playing in Japan's stunning 2-1 opening win over Germany.

'Injustice' fires up 'sorry' Son and Korea Republic

Wed, 30 Nov, 2022

'Injustice' fires up 'sorry' Son and Korea Republic

Doha: A "united" Korea Republic will be fired up by a burning sense of injustice when they face Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal on Friday as they fight to keep their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 campaign alive.

Head coach Paulo Bento and his players were left fuming at the conclusion of Monday's 3-2 defeat to Ghana after English referee Anthony Taylor blew the final whistle before they could take a corner.

The defeat, having stormed back from 2-0 down before Mohammed Kudus's 68th-minute winner for Ghana, left Son Heung-min's side on the brink of elimination ahead of their final Group H game against Portugal.

Queiroz only has praise for heartbroken IR Iran players

Wed, 30 Nov, 2022

Queiroz only has praise for heartbroken IR Iran players

Doha: Carlos Queiroz paid tribute to his players’ efforts to pull themselves back into their clash with the United States at Al Thumama Stadium on Tuesday as the Islamic Republic of Iran crashed out of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic scored the only goal of the game eight minutes before the end of the first half to take Greg Berhalter’s side into the Round of 16 as runners-up in Group B behind England with the Iranians having to settle for a third place finish.

Sanchez positive despite Qatar's early exit

Wed, 30 Nov, 2022

Sanchez positive despite Qatar's early exit

Al Khor: Qatar's debut FIFA World Cup campaign may have ended with three defeats but head coach Felix Sanchez was far from despondent.

The 2022 hosts' were denied a winning finish, falling 2-0 to Netherlands in their final Group A match on Tuesday.

The defeat followed losses to Ecuador (2-0) and Senegal (3-1) but Sanchez said there were only positives from their inaugural participation in the global showpiece.