Kim Min-jae: Korea Republic's highly rated 'Monster' defender

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Kim Min-jae: Korea Republic's highly rated 'Monster' defender

Doha: Son Heung-min's facial injury has dominated Korea Republic's build-up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, but it's a "Monster" at the heart of their defence who could prove just as critical in Qatar.

Imposing central defender Kim Min-jae has earned rave reviews since moving from Fenerbahce in Turkey to Napoli in the summer for just over 18 million euros.

The 26-year-old has since played a crucial role in Napoli going unbeaten in Serie A and streaking away at the top before the league paused for the FIFA World Cup.

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Saudi star Al Dawsari writes name in lights

Tue, 22 Nov, 2022

Saudi star Al Dawsari writes name in lights

Doha: Saudi Arabia's Salem Al Dawsari grabbed the world's attention with his match-winning wonder strike against Argentina on Tuesday but the winger has been a star in Asia for years.

The 31-year-old helped the Saudis to a stunning 2-1 victory over the twice world champions in Group C of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, when he took out two defenders with a clever turn before rifling the ball into the net.

It was a typical piece of brilliance from a player who has long been known as one of Asia's best.

Loss a very heavy blow, says Messi

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Loss a very heavy blow, says Messi

Doha: Lionel Messi said Argentina's shock loss to Saudi Arabia was a "very heavy blow" but vowed the South American champions would bounce back from the defeat.

"It's a very heavy blow, a defeat that hurts, but we must continue to have confidence in ourselves," Messi said after Argentina crashed to a stunning 2-1 loss in Group C of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Tuesday.

"This group is not going to give up. We will try to beat Mexico," he added.

Stunning Saudi Arabia silence Argentina

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Stunning Saudi Arabia silence Argentina

Lusail: Saudi Arabia have produced one of the biggest upsets of FIFA World Cup history as goals from Saleh Al Shehri and Salem Dawsari sealed a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Argentina to open their Group C campaign in stunning fashion on Tuesday.

A Lionel Messi penalty put Argentina in front inside 10 minutes at Lusail Iconic Stadium before the South American champions had three goals ruled out for offside as the Green Falcons went into the interval with only a one-goal deficit.

And an incredible five-minute spell after the break saw Al Shehri and Al Dawsari turn the game on its head as Saudi Arabia went 2-1 up by the 53-minute mark before withstanding an Argentina onslaught to end their opponents' 36-game unbeaten run and secure the greatest result in their history.

Poland's Lewandowski misses penalty in Mexico stalemate

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Poland's Lewandowski misses penalty in Mexico stalemate

Doha: Robert Lewandowski suffered fresh FIFA World Cup misery as the Poland striker's penalty was saved by Guillermo Ochoa in a 0-0 draw against Mexico on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia's stunning 2-1 win over Argentina earlier in the day had blown open the race to progress to the last 16 from Group C of Qatar 2022.

But this was a frustrating draw for both teams, with Lewandowski wasting the best chance of a cagey game and Mexico ruing their failure to turn territorial dominance into goals.

Feisty Tunisia hold Eriksen's Denmark

Tue, 22 Nov, 2022

Feisty Tunisia hold Eriksen's Denmark

Al Rayyan: Tunisia held Denmark to a goalless draw in their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 opener on Tuesday, kicking off their Group D campaign with a strong performance against one of the pre-tournament favourites.

Tunisia have never reached the FIFA World Cup knockouts in five previous attempts but Jalel Kadri's side will be encouraged both with a point at Education City Stadium and with how they performed against the fancied Danes.

Denmark had come into the match as favourites but Tunisia tore into their more illustrious opponents from kick-off, flying into tackles.

Preview - Group E: Germany v Japan

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Preview - Group E: Germany v Japan

Doha: Japan will be on a mission to show their footballing pedigree when they take on Germany in their opening FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match on Wednesday.

Germany will start as the overwhelming favourites at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha but head coach Hajime Moriyasu said Japan are determined to match the four-time world champions. 

Queiroz proud of IR Iran players despite heavy England defeat

Tue, 22 Nov, 2022

Queiroz proud of IR Iran players despite heavy England defeat

Al Rayyan: Head coach Carlos Queiroz expressed his pride in his players' fighting spirit, despite the Islamic Republic of Iran’s succumbing to a 6-2 loss against England in Group B of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Monday.

Mehdi Taremi got a brace from a second half strike followed by a very late penalty, while England had Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish, Marcus Rashford, and man of the match Bukayo Saka (brace) to thank for their half a dozen tally of goals. 

Team Melli could be without Alireza Beiranvand for the game against Wales, due to take place on Friday after he suffered a nose injury forcing him to be substituted early on in the game.