Qatar hit back to snatch Paraguay draw

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Qatar hit back to snatch Paraguay draw

Rio de Janeiro: Boualem Khoukhi scored 13 minutes from time as Asian champions Qatar hit back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw with Paraguay at the Copa America on Sunday.

An Oscar Cardozo penalty and a stunning Derlis Gonzalez strike gave the South Americans a 2-0 lead in Rio de Janeiro but goals from Almoez Ali and Khoukhi in the final quarter snatched a share of the Group B spoils for the tournament debutants.

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Real signing Kubo 'proud' of 'Japanese Messi' nickname

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Real signing Kubo 'proud' of 'Japanese Messi' nickname

Sao Paulo: New teenage Real Madrid signing Takefusa Kubo said it was an "honour" to be nicknamed the "Japanese Messi" when speaking to reporters at the Copa America on Friday.

Earlier in the day, Spanish giants Real announced the 18-year-old was joining the record 13-time European champions from FC Tokyo, to play for their B team next season.

"Being called the Japanese Messi is an honour and makes me proud, but I'm still not at his level and I prefer to concentrate on my abilities and strengths," said Kubo from Japan's Copa America base in Sao Paulo.

Japan eager to show 'strength' at Copa America

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Japan eager to show 'strength' at Copa America

Sao Paulo: Japan plan on displaying their "strength" at the Copa America when the Blue Samurai make their second appearance as guests in a tough Group C alongside champions Chile, head coach Hajime Moriyasu said on Thursday.

"I'm really looking forward to playing in the Copa America, it's one of the highest level tournaments in the world," the head coach told reporters in Sao Paulo.

"How can we show our strength and which way we play, that's what we want to find out in this tournament," the head coach of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 runners-up added.

Australia and Qatar to take part in 2020 edition

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Australia and Qatar to take part in 2020 edition

Sao Paulo: Australia have accepted an invitation to take part in next year's Copa America alongside Asian champions Qatar, who make their debut in the South American tournament this weekend, CONMEBOL announced on Thursday.

"We have decided to invite ... to participate in our competitions the current Asian confederation champions and the previous ones," said Alejandro Dominguez, the president of South American football's governing body.

The announcement came the day before the 2019 competition kicks off in Sao Paulo with hosts Brazil taking on Bolivia.

Qatar, the 2022 World Cup hosts, are participating in the Copa America as guests for the first time this year and line up in Group B alongside 14-time former winners Argentina, Colombia and Paraguay.