Resilient Japan shock Germany

Thu, 24 Nov, 2022

Resilient Japan shock Germany

Doha: Takuma Asano was the hero as Japan came from behind to stun four-time champions Germany and open their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E campaign with a 2-1 victory on Wednesday. 

Germany dominated the opening half at the Khalifa International Stadium and went in front through an Ilkay Gundogan penalty just after the half-hour before substitute Ritsu Doan levelled with 15 minutes to play.

And fellow substitute Asano then turned the game on its head with seven minutes remaining when he fired into the roof of the German net to secure a win for the ages on yet another historic day for Asian football in Qatar.

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Preview - Group H: Uruguay v Korea Republic

Thu, 24 Nov, 2022

Preview - Group H: Uruguay v Korea Republic

Al Rayyan: Korea Republic head coach Paulo Bento expects Son Heung-min to be fit to face Uruguay in his side’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H opener at the Education City Stadium on Thursday but there will be no place in the squad for Hwang Hee-chan.

Bento ruled Hwang out of the clash with the South Americans and revealed the Koreans would make a late decision over the selection of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors full back Kim Jin-su.

Solid Morocco hold Modric's Croatia

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Solid Morocco hold Modric's Croatia

Al Khor: Morocco held Croatia to a 0-0 draw in their opening Group F game of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Wednesday, producing a spirited display against the 2018 runners-up led by Luka Modric.

Backed by Qatar's large Moroccan community at the Al Bayt Stadium, the Atlas Lions followed up north African rivals Tunisia's strong performance against Denmark a day earlier to frustrate Croatia.

Arnold: France were too good for Australia

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Arnold: France were too good for Australia

Al Wakrah: Graham Arnold conceded his Australia team could do little to match the quality of defending champions France as the Socceroos slipped to a 4-1 loss in their opening FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 clash on Tuesday.

The defeat equalled Australia’s worst-ever result at a FIFA World Cup – a 4-1 loss against Germany in South Africa in 2010 – as Olivier Giroud’s double and efforts from Adrien Rabiot and Kylian Mbappe earned France a comprehensive win after Craig Goodwin’s early opener.

Saudi Arabia's Renard not dwelling on 'crazy' win

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Saudi Arabia's Renard not dwelling on 'crazy' win

Doha: Saudi Arabia's French coach Herve Renard warned his players not to celebrate for too long after their "totally crazy" 2-1 win against Argentina in their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C opener on Tuesday.

The Saudis bounced back from conceding an early Lionel Messi penalty to produce one of the great FIFA World Cup shocks thanks to a Saleh Al Shehri equaliser and a sublime Salem Al Dawsari winner at the Lusail Stadium in Doha.

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.

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.