Winning the title is my obsession says Mbappe

Mon, 05 Dec, 2022

Winning the title is my obsession says Mbappe

Doha: Kylian Mbappe said on Sunday he dreamed of winning the FIFA World Cup for a second time after his brace helped France to a 3-1 win over Poland  which advanced the holders to the quarter-finals in Qatar 2022.

"Of course, this World Cup is an obsession for me, it's the competition of my dreams," said the 23-year-old who burst onto the global stage by starring when France won the title in Russia four years ago."

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France cruise past Poland to stay on course to defend title

Mon, 05 Dec, 2022

France cruise past Poland to stay on course to defend title

Doha: Kylian Mbappe set up a history-making goal for Olivier Giroud and then scored two himself as holders France eased into the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with a 3-1 win over Poland on Sunday.

Giroud's opening goal a minute before half-time was his 52nd for his country, allowing him to pass Thierry Henry and become France's all-time record marksman.

Mbappe's lethal strike in the 74th minute killed off any prospect of a Poland comeback and he netted again at the death to move to nine goals in just 11 FIFA World Cup appearances, the second-most for a French player at the tournament.

At the other end the threat of Robert Lewandowski was snuffed out by the French defence although the 34-year-old Poland captain did get the consolation of scoring a stoppage-time penalty. France will play England - who defeated Senegal 3-0 on Sunday - in the quarter-finals.

Preview - Ro16: Japan v Croatia

Mon, 05 Dec, 2022

Preview - Ro16: Japan v Croatia

Al Wakrah: Yuto Nagatomo has called on his Japanese teammates to show their samurai spirit when they take on Croatia for a place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at the Al Janoub Stadium on Monday.

Japan will be looking to secure a spot in the last eight for the first time in the nation’s history, with memories still fresh of the heart-breaking injury time defeat to Belgium at the same stage of the competition in Russia four years ago.

Preview - Ro16: Brazil v Korea Republic

Tue, 06 Dec, 2022

Preview - Ro16: Brazil v Korea Republic

Doha: Korea Republic head coach Paulo Bento bemoaned fixture congestion ahead of his side’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 clash against Brazil on Monday.

The Taeguk Warriors had sealed qualification to the second round after a gruelling 2-1 comeback on Friday against Bento’s native Portugal, thanks to Kim Young-gwon’s first-half strike and Hwang Hee-chan’s added time winner.

Skipper Son eyes 'another miracle' against Brazil

Sun, 04 Dec, 2022

Skipper Son eyes 'another miracle' against Brazil

Doha: Son Heung-min wants his Korea Republic side to pull off "another miracle" and beat Brazil on Monday in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 last 16 after their last-gasp heroics against Portugal.

The Koreans' tournament looked to be over until substitute Hwang Hee-chan popped up in injury time to score the winner in a 2-1 victory over already qualified Portugal on Friday in Qatar.

That propelled them into the knockout rounds and a daunting date with Brazil, one of the pre-tournament favourites.

Japan's super-sub Doan aims to sink Croatia

Sun, 04 Dec, 2022

Japan's super-sub Doan aims to sink Croatia

Doha: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 super-sub Ritsu Doan believes the strength of Japan's bench could prove decisive as they prepare to face 2018 finalists Croatia in the last 16 on Monday.

The Freiburg forward has played a crucial role as a substitute in Qatar, scoring the equaliser in Japan's shock wins over both Germany and Spain, which helped them top Group E.

Doan took four minutes to find the net after coming on against Germany and just two after entering as a half-time substitute against Spain.

Australia's Arnold calls for more support

Sun, 04 Dec, 2022

Australia's Arnold calls for more support

Al Rayyan: Australia head coach Graham Arnold left the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Saturday calling for greater investment in the sport in the country having seen his Socceroos knocked out by Lionel Messi’s Argentina at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.

Messi scored the opener as the Copa America champions won 2-1 with Julian Alvarez capitalising on an error by Maty Ryan to double the lead before Craig Goodwin’s shot was redirected into his own net by Enzo Fernandez to give the Australians a sliver of hope.
 
That goal set up a grandstand finish that saw Aziz Behich and Garang Kuol denied late opportunities to equalise and take the game into extra-time as the Argentinians moved through to a quarter-final meeting with the Netherlands on Friday.

Scaloni excited to take on idol Van Gaal

Sun, 04 Dec, 2022

Scaloni excited to take on idol Van Gaal

Al Rayyan: Lionel Scaloni said he was looking forward to taking on Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter-finals after his Argentina side beat Australia 2-1 on Saturday.

Goals from Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez gave Argentina a winning cushion at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium before an Enzo Fernandez own goal set up a frantic finish.

Gakpo: Netherlands 'improving every game'

Sun, 04 Dec, 2022

Gakpo: Netherlands 'improving every game'

Doha: The Netherlands are growing in confidence at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and getting better with every game, star forward Cody Gakpo said on Saturday after they put some underwhelming group-stage performances behind them to beat the United States and ease into the quarter-finals.

The Dutch secured a last-eight spot with a 3-1 victory which was set up by a wonderful opening goal, finished by Memphis Depay after a 20-pass move.