Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Rostov-on-Don: Saudi Arabia may not be advancing to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia knockout stage after suffering two consecutive losses in Group A, but head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi believes the defeats will serve as greater instruction for the months to come.
The Green Falcons opened their campaign with a 5-0 defeat to hosts Russia, and despite showing improvement, they fell 1-0 to Uruguay in their second match.
“We may not have done enough to get the result we wanted but we had lots of the ball (possession) and we circulated it well,” said the 50-year-old Argentinian coach.
"We imposed ourselves on the game against Uruguay.
“The goal we conceded was unfortunate, but we didn’t have the tools they had. We couldn’t equalise, but we controlled the play. We didn’t suffer.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Rostov-on-Don: Saudi Arabia put in a solid performance in their second 2018 FIFA World Cup match but an error from goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais gifted Uruguay the winner on Wednesday.
Following the 5-0 defeat by Russia in the opening match, Juan Antonio Pizzi made four changes to his starting line up, bringing on goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais for Abdullah Al Mayouf, centre-back Ali Al Bulaihi for Omar Hawsawi, winger Hattan Bahebri for Yahya Al Shehri and striker Fahad Al Muwallad for Mohammed Al Sahlawi.
The changes produced a much-improved performance from Saudi Arabia as a solitary Luis Suarez strike was the difference at the final whistle.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Rostov-on-Don: Saudi Arabia's hopes of advancing to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 were dashed after they went down 1-0 to Uruguay in a Group A clash on Wednesday.
Uruguay booked their place in the knockout stage along with Russia, as Luis Suarez scored the winner on his 100th international appearance.
The 31-year-old Suarez, whose previous two World Cups both ended in bans after his infamous 2010 handball against Ghana and bite on Italy's Giorgio Chiellini four years later, took advantage of a goalkeeping error by Mohammed Al Owais to put Uruguay ahead midway through the first half.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Kazan: Karim Ansarifard has bullishly declared Islamic Republic of Iran will advance to the knockout stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup despite his side’s 1-0 defeat at the hands of former champions Spain on Wednesday.
Diego Costa’s fortuitous goal nine minutes into the second half was all that separated the sides at Kazan Arena and the loss leaves Ansarfiard and his teammates needing to win their final game against Portugal to secure a place in the Round of 16.
Iran have never progressed beyond the group stages in any of their previous four appearances at the FIFA World Cup, with the Carlos Queiroz-coached team also falling short in Brazil four years ago.
But, with Iran only one point behind the Portuguese in Group B after two rounds of matches, the versatile Olympiacos star is confident Team Melli can find a way past Cristiano Ronaldo and company in Kaliningrad next week.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Samara: Disappointed coach Bert van Marwijk said Australia have to find "the last part of the puzzle" if they are to stay in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia after a 1-1 draw with Denmark on Thursday.
Australia captain Mile Jedinak hit a second-half VAR-assisted penalty to earn the Socceroos' first point in Russia after Christian Eriksen's opener, giving Australia a glimmer of hope of reaching the Round of 16.
Van Marwijk praised a team that has "improved every day" but bemoaned a lack of clinical finishing after his team missed chances to win the game in the second half in Samara.
It followed a 2-1 defeat to France in their opening match.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Saint Petersburg: Centre-back Kim Young-gwon believes partnership and cooperation is what Korea Republic need to defeat Mexico in their 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group F clash on Saturday.
Korea Republic and Mexico will face off at Rostov Arena in Rostov-on-Don on Saturday.
Following their 1-0 defeat to Sweden in their Group F opener at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Monday, Korea Republic need a turnaround to stay alive for Round of 16 contention.
Mexico, meanwhile, will be on a high after stunning defending champions Germany 1-0 in their opening match.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Kazan: Islamic Republic of Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz remains optimistic of his team's chances despite suffering a 1-0 defeat to Spain in a 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group B tie on Wednesday.
Team Melli currently sit third in the Group B standings, just one point below Portugal and Spain who are on four points, setting up a decisive final group stage match up with the Portuguese on June 25 at the Mordovia Arena.
“We showed that we were ready to suffer and ready to compete,” Queiroz said.
“I felt we deserved a better result. There’s no doubt Spain play wonderful, stylish football but I thought we deserved more for the way we played.”