Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Having been drawn into Group A alongside hosts Russia, Uruguay and Egypt, Saudi Arabia will be looking to impress at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. the-AFC.com looks back at the Green Falcons' greatest moments on the world’s grandest stage.
Saudi Arabia made their World Cup bow in 1994 in the United States, and have only missed out on two editions since then, namely South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014. Here are the top three highlights of their four World Cup campaigns.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
St. Gallen: Mario Balotelli scored for Italy as they beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in an international friendly in St. Gallen on Monday.
The friendly was part of Saudi Arabia's preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, where they will face hosts Russia in the tournament opener on June 14.
Saudi Arabia coach Juan Antonio Pizzi was pleased with his team's performance despite the defeat.
"In the second half we held our own against one of the best teams in the world," said Pizzi. "Although they are not in the World Cup, they have a great coach, an unparalleled history."
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Istanbul: Islamic Republic of Iran produced a fighting performance as they went down 2-1 to Turkey in a pre-2018 FIFA World Cup Russia friendly match at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium on Monday.
Cenk Tosun, of English Premier League club Everton, fired a brace but Carlos Queiroz's team would have been pleased with their performance.
IR Iran, Asia's top ranked team, suffered an early blow as Tosun fired Turkey ahead after just six minutes, beating Rouzbeh Cheshmi before unleashing a powerful shot which found the back of the net.
IR Iran fought back, with Alireza Jahanbakhsh setting up Ehsan Haji Safi but his shot was saved by the Turkey goalkeeper.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Daegu: Korea Republic defeated Honduras 2-0 in a pre-2018 FIFA World Cup Russia friendly match in Daegu on Monday, with Tottenham Hotspur attacker Son Heung-min delivering a picture-perfect opener in the second half.
Son broke the scoreless deadlock near the hour mark at Daegu Stadium, some 300 kilometres southeast of Seoul, firing a shot off his left foot from just outside the top of the circle. Then substitute Moon Seon-min, in his international debut, netted the insurance goal in the 71st.
This was the first of two tune-up matches for the FIFA World Cup-bound Korea Republic. They'll next face Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday in Jeonju, before head coach Shin Tae-yong whittles down his training camp roster of 26 to the squad of 23.
Korea Republic extended their undefeated home streak to 16 matches, with 13 wins and three draws, a run that dates back to March 2015.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Istanbul: Carlos Queiroz may have signalled his intention to stand down as Islamic Republic of Iran coach upon the completion of the country’s involvement in the FIFA World Cup Finals, but the Portuguese tactician does not believe his impending departure will have a negative impact on his side’s performance in Russia 2018 next month.
The former Real Madrid head coach will lead his team into matches with Morocco, Spain and his native Portugal in the group phase of this summer’s tournament with the goal of taking the Iranians into the second round for the first time in the country’s history.
And the 65-year-old is confident his players will be fully focused on achieving that goal when they kick off their 2018 campaign in St. Petersburg against Morocco on June 15 despite stating his desire to end his seven-year stint with Iran.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Japan will kick off their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign against Colombia on June 19, before taking on Senegal and Poland in their second and third Group H ties. The-AFC.com takes a look at the Samurai Blue’s top three moments at the World Cup so far.
Ever since making their debut at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, Japan have experienced many highs and lows over the years. Here are some of their best moments on the global stage in the five tournaments they have featured in since then:
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
The FIFA World Cup always produces a collection of sensational and memorable goals, and over the years a number of Asian players have contributed to this rich collection of historic FIFA World Cup moments.
With the 2018 FIFA World Cup just weeks away from kicking off in Russia, with Saudi Arabia playing the host nation in the opening match in Moscow on 14 June, we take a look at five iconic goals scored by Asian players in FIFA World Cup history.