Japan's Mitoma ready to make Germany sick in opener

Mon, 21 Nov, 2022

Japan's Mitoma ready to make Germany sick in opener

Doha: An illness meant Japan's Kaoru Mitoma arrived late in Qatar but the livewire winger insisted on Sunday he will be "100 percent" ready for his team's FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 opener against Germany.

The 25-year-old has shown glimpses of his talent in the Premier League since joining Brighton in the summer, causing havoc with his mazy runs and scoring goals against Wolves and Arsenal.

He has also proved his worth for his country, notching a brace against Australia in March to clinch Japan's place at their seventh straight FIFA World Cup.

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Sanchez: Nerves caused Qatar's defeat

Mon, 21 Nov, 2022

Sanchez: Nerves caused Qatar's defeat

Al Khor: Qatar head coach Felix Sanchez admitted his side suffered from stage fright as the FIFA World Cup 2022 hosts were handed a 2-0 defeat by Ecuador in their Group A clash at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday.

Enner Valencia’s first-half double earned the South Americans a deserved win to leave the reigning AFC Asian Cup™
champions needing to win against Senegal on Friday to reignite their hopes of a place in the next phase of the competition.

Preview - Group B: England v IR Iran

Mon, 21 Nov, 2022

Preview - Group B: England v IR Iran

Doha: Islamic Republic of Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz believes a fighting spirit is key if his side are to stand a chance against England in their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 campaign opener on Monday.

One of six AFC representatives taking part in the global showcase, Iran’s Group B campaign kicks-off against the 2018 semi-finalists at the Khalifa International Stadium before they take on the United States and Wales; three testing matches for Asia’s top placed nation in the FIFA rankings. 

Having faced the challenges of Spain, Portugal and Morocco back in 2018, walking away with four points and finishing third in the group, Queiroz’s young Iran side back then are four years more experienced now and look more capable of navigating the challenges presented in the current group stage. 

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Hougang lift Singapore Cup; JDT close in on treble

Mon, 21 Nov, 2022

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Hougang lift Singapore Cup; JDT close in on treble

Singapore: Kristijan Krajcek scored a hat-trick as Hougang United claimed their first-ever major trophy by defeating Tampines Rovers 3-2 in the Singapore Cup final at Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday. 

Johor Darul Ta’zim are now only one win away from an impressive domestic treble as they overcame Sabah in the semi-finals of the Malaysia Cup, while Buriram United extended their lead in Thailand.
 
Elsewhere, there were also matches in Vietnam, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Cambodia and Myanmar, so join the-AFC.com as we review the action from across ASEAN and East Asia. 

Qatar fall to Valencia brace

Mon, 21 Nov, 2022

Qatar fall to Valencia brace

Al Khor: Qatar made the worst possible start to their hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2022 on Sunday as Felix Sanchez’s Asian champions slipped to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Ecuador in their Group A opener at Al Bayt Stadium.

Enner Valencia’s first-half double sent the South Americans on their way to victory while the tournament organisers are left needing to bounce back in their next game when they take on Senegal on Friday. The African side face the Netherlands in their opener on Monday.

Spectacular opening ceremony kicks off Qatar 2022

Sun, 20 Nov, 2022

Spectacular opening ceremony kicks off Qatar 2022

Doha: The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 kicked off with a sizzling opening ceremony before 60,000 fans inside Al Bayt Stadium and millions more around the world on Sunday.

A sparkling opening ceremony invited the world to come together in Qatar as the FIFA World Cup kicked off for the first time in the Middle East and Arab world. 

Boyle withdrawn from Socceroos' squad

Sun, 20 Nov, 2022

Boyle withdrawn from Socceroos' squad

Doha: Socceroos winger Martin Boyle will not participate in this year’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tournament after he succumbed to a knee injury, Football Australia said on Sunday.

Head coach Graham Arnold said Boyle and the team medical staff had done everything to try and prepare the player for the tournament, but were forced to rule him out on Saturday night.

MD1: 6 things to look out for

Sat, 19 Nov, 2022

MD1: 6 things to look out for

Doha: We’re now just hours away from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 kicking off as the hosts prepare to make their tournament bow against Ecuador on Sunday while five other Asian nations begin their campaigns in the ensuing days.

It’s a record number of Asian Football Confederation members participating as the festival of football returns to the continent 20 years after being co-hosted by Japan and Korea Republic in the first time it was ever held in Asia. 

As excitement builds ahead of the opening round of group fixtures, the-AFC.com highlights six things to look out for.