Social Wrap: Mixed emotions for Asia’s cast

Fri, 02 Dec, 2022

Social Wrap: Mixed emotions for Asia’s cast

Doha: It's been a group stage of incredible highs and lows for Asia's six sides at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with historic victories and agonising defeats ensuring a rollercoaster journey for all involved. 

Australia and Japan have advanced to the last 16, while Qatar, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia have exited, with Korea Republic set to play their final group game against Portugal on Friday.

Ahead of that crunch match-up, the-AFC.com has a look at the social media channels of the teams and players of those involved.  

'Guts' brought glory to Blue Samurai, says Nagatomo

Fri, 02 Dec, 2022

'Guts' brought glory to Blue Samurai, says Nagatomo

Doha: Japan showed they have the "guts" to compete at the FIFA World Cup, defender Yuto Nagatomo said Thursday, after the Blue Samurai stunned Spain to advance to the Qatar 2022 Round of 16.

Japan upset both Germany and Spain to finish top of Group E, digging deep to come from behind to grab gritty victories in both games.

Hajime Moriyasu's side will now face Croatia in the last 16 and Nagatomo believes they can pull off another shock against the 2018 FIFA World Cup finalists.

Moriyasu: Japan's victory a major boost for Asia

Fri, 02 Dec, 2022

Moriyasu: Japan's victory a major boost for Asia

Doha: Hajime Moriyasu believes Japan’s progress to the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 can give football in Asia a major boost after the Samurai Blue handed former champions Spain and Germany group stage defeats to progress to the last 16.

A 2-1 victory over Spain at the Khalifa International Stadium on Thursday took Japan to the top of Group E ahead of Luis Enrique’s side and saw Germany, the four-time FIFA World Cup winners, eliminated despite their 4-2 success over Costa Rica.
 
The Japanese had also beaten the Germans in the opening round and Moriyasu’s side will now face 2018 FIFA World Cup runners-up Croatia on Monday for a first-ever place in the quarter-finals.

Degenek on mission to stop Messi

Thu, 01 Dec, 2022

Degenek on mission to stop Messi

Doha: Australia will put their bodies on the line to stop Lionel Messi and spring a surprise against Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 last 16, tough-tackling Milos Degenek warned on Thursday.

The defender, who made his FIFA World Cup debut in Australia's 1-0 group win over Denmark on Wednesday, said Messi is his hero but all sentiments will be thrown aside when they meet on Saturday.

Renard admits Mexico deserved victory as Saudi Arabia make exit

Thu, 01 Dec, 2022

Renard admits Mexico deserved victory as Saudi Arabia make exit

Lusail: Herve Renard admitted the better team won as Saudi Arabia exited the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 after a 2-1 defeat to Mexico on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia went into their final Group C tie at the Lusail Stadium knowing a win would take them into the knockout stage but found Mexico too hot to handle as they ended their campaign with three points.

'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.

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.

'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.